Lead Mechanical Engineer
1 day ago
Stroud
Job Title: Lead Mechanical Engineer Location: On-site Monday – Friday in Cambridge, Gloucestershire Type: Full-time Salary: £65k to £80k depending on experience About Us We are an early-stage engineering start-up developing innovative solutions to technical challenges in the field of precision engineering. Our team is small, fast-moving, and collaborative, and we value practical skills, curiosity, and initiative. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly on the design of products from concept through to fully functional prototypes. The Role The Lead Mechanical Engineer is responsible for driving the technical direction and delivery of mechanical design projects within a growing engineering consultancy environment. The role combines technical leadership with hands-on design work, while closely collaborating with electronics and software teams to ensure fully integrated system solutions. The successful candidate will lead projects from concept generation through to production release, coordinating cross-disciplinary efforts and contributing to the development of engineering standards, processes, and best practices as the business scales. This position requires an entrepreneurial mindset, the ability to operate autonomously, and a desire to build and shape a high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering function. Key Responsibilities: Technical Leadership • Lead mechanical design activities across multiple concurrent consultancy projects, • Develop innovative, commercially viable, and manufacturable design solutions aligned with client requirements, • Produce, review, and approve detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings, • Perform engineering analysis including stress calculations, tolerance analysis, material selection, and mechanism design, • Oversee and conduct FEA and simulation work where required, • Ensure designs comply with applicable UK and international standards (ISO, BS, ASME as appropriate), • Establish and maintain internal design standards, processes, and documentation frameworks appropriate for a scaling consultancy Project and Client Management • Act as technical authority and lead engineer on allocated projects, • Define technical scopes, deliverables, and project milestones, • Support project planning, budgeting, and resource allocation, • Participate in and lead client meetings, design reviews, and technical presentations, • Translate client briefs into structured engineering requirements and specifications, • Manage design risk through structured reviews, FMEA processes, and validation planning, • Balance technical excellence with commercial constraints including cost, margin, and delivery timescale Consultancy and Business Growth Responsibilities • Contribute technical input to proposals, bids, and capability statements, • Support business development discussions through credible technical engagement, • Identify opportunities to expand service offerings and improve project efficiency, • Play a key role in shaping the company’s technical reputation and client relationships Team and Quality • Mentor and support junior and mid-level engineers as the team grows, • Lead internal design reviews and ensure engineering best practice is followed, • Contribute to recruitment and capability development planning, • Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, standards, and tools, • Maintain accurate project documentation, configuration control, and quality compliance About You • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline, • Minimum 8–12 years’ experience in mechanical design engineering, • Experience working within a consultancy or multi-project, client-facing environment preferred, • Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD software, • Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, injection moulding, casting, additive manufacturing, etc.), • Experience with design for manufacture (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA), • Competent in engineering calculations, structured problem-solving, and technical decision-making, • Strong understanding of GD&T and drawing standards, • Demonstrable experience managing full product lifecycle from concept to production, • Comfortable operating with autonomy in a growing or evolving business environment Key Competencies • Technical authority and credibility, • Commercial awareness and strategic thinking, • Strong client-facing communication skills, • Leadership and mentoring capability, • Entrepreneurial mindset, • Structured problem-solving approach, • High attention to detail, • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment What We Offer • The opportunity to work directly and collaboratively with highly experienced engineers and founders, • Hands-on involvement in products from early concept to reality, • A collaborative and supportive team culture, • Exposure to a wide range of engineering challenges, • Opportunities to develop new skills and grow with the company, • Competitive salary and benefits How to Apply Please send your CV and a cover letter to Laura at explaining why you’re interested in the role.