Principal Mechanical Engineer (Deputy Head – Mechanical Engineering)

About

Join a global engineering organisation specialising in high-performance connectivity and interconnection solutions for demanding applications across aerospace, defence, rail, and advanced industrial markets. As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will play a senior technical leadership role within the Mechanical Engineering function, acting as Deputy to the Head of Mechanical Engineering and driving design quality, validation strategy, and resolution of complex mechanical engineering challenges.

This role has been created due to continued growth in high-reliability markets and increasing demand for robust mechanical design expertise across new and existing product platforms.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the design and optimisation of mechanical housings, interfaces, and connection systems for high-reliability applications.
• Apply advanced engineering knowledge of plastics, polymer-based components, sealing systems, and mechanical fastening principles (screws, snap fits, and interfaces).
• Drive mechanical design solutions that ensure robustness under environmental stresses including vibration, thermal cycling, and ingress protection requirements.
• Define and lead validation strategies across product development programmes, ensuring structured and data-driven engineering decision-making.
• Plan and execute engineering test activities using methodologies such as Design of Experiments (DoE), including coordination with internal laboratories and external test houses.
• Analyse mechanical and environmental test data to support root cause investigation and drive design improvements.
• Act as a technical reference point within the mechanical engineering team and support design reviews and engineering decision-making at senior level.

What You’ll Need:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 8–15+ years’ experience in mechanical engineering or product development.
• Strong background in high-reliability industries such as aerospace, defence, rail, automotive, industrial, or medical devices.
• Proven experience in mechanical design using CAD tools and developing robust product architectures.
• Strong understanding of validation strategies, test planning, and engineering verification methods.
• Experience in failure analysis and root cause investigation.
• Strong analytical and structured engineering approach with the ability to operate as a senior technical authority within a team.