To lead the mechanical design function for the development of advanced high-frequency RF systems, modules and amplifiers. This role combines hands-on design activity with team leadership and project ownership, ensuring that mechanical performance, thermal efficiency, reliability, manufacturability, quality and cost objectives are consistently achieved. You will take technical ownership of mechanical workstreams, manage and develop a small team of engineers, and drive best practice across design, analysis and delivery within high-reliability environments, including space, defence and industrial applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the mechanical design team, typically overseeing a small group of engineers while remaining approximately 70 percent hands on and 30 percent focused on leadership and coordination
- Take ownership of end to end mechanical design activities for RF modules and systems, including enclosures, thermal solutions and precision assemblies
- Define mechanical architecture and lead design trade-offs across performance, mass, cost and manufacturability
- Oversee the creation and review of 3D CAD models and detailed drawings using SolidWorks
- Guide material selection, manufacturing methods and finishing processes to meet performance and lifecycle requirements
- Lead thermal and structural analysis activities, including CFD and FEA, ensuring results inform design decisions
- Work closely with RF, electronics and systems teams to ensure mechanical design supports optimal RF performance
- Chair and contribute to design reviews, acting as the mechanical authority in cross-functional discussions and customer engagements
- Drive design for manufacture and assembly across CNC machining, casting, additive manufacture and sheet metal processes
- Oversee documentation, drawings, BOMs and configuration control in line with company standards and PLM processes
- Support prototype builds, verification and environmental testing, ensuring lessons learned are captured and implemented
- Manage engineering changes through ECN and ECO processes and support continuous improvement initiatives
- Provide technical guidance, coaching and mentoring to junior and mid level engineers
- Interface with suppliers, production teams and customers to resolve technical issues and support product delivery
Essential Requirements
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering
- Proven experience in a lead or senior mechanical design role within high reliability sectors such as RF, electronics, aerospace, defence, space or telecoms
- Strong 2D and 3D CAD capability, ideally using SolidWorks
- Demonstrable experience delivering precision mechanical assemblies in constrained or technically demanding environments
- Solid understanding of thermal management, structural integrity, materials and manufacturing processes
- Experience with GD&T and producing high quality engineering drawings for manufacture
- Knowledge of PCB integration, RF shielding and EMI or EMC considerations
- Experience using FEA and thermal simulation tools to support design validation
- Familiarity with PDM or PLM systems and engineering change management processes
- Proven ability to lead technical projects and coordinate cross functional engineering teams
- Experience managing or mentoring engineers within a structured development environment
- Strong problem solving skills, attention to detail and the ability to take ownership of complex engineering decisions
- Effective communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
Desirable Requirements
- Experience with payload systems or deployment environments such as space, aerospace, defence or telecoms infrastructure.
- Experience with industrial system design.
- Hands-on experience with FEA and thermal simulation tools, preferably SolidWorks Simulation or SolidWorks Flow.
- Familiarity with RF/mmWave product development, including waveguides, filters, amplifiers and high-frequency assemblies.
- Knowledge of lightweighting techniques and structural optimisation for mass-constrained designs.
- Experience with high-reliability and qualification-driven design standards, such as MIL-STD or ECSS.
- Familiarity with environmental testing such as thermal vacuum or vibration qualification.
- Knowledge of RoHS and WEEE compliance.
- Experience supporting supplier development, first article inspection or production readiness activity.
- Experience leading design reviews, technical investigations or product improvement projects.