Job Description

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: North Derbyshire | Department: Engineering
Reporting to: Head of Engineering

Elevation Recruitment Group are working exclusively on a fantastic opportunity for a driven and experienced mechanical design professional to step into a pivotal leadership role with a specialist equipment manufacturer in heavy engineering environments.

This is a company where engineering meets ingenuity. They has a history of designing and manufacturing high-integrity containment systems for some of the most demanding environments in the world. Their solutions sit at the intersection of mechanical, structural, and acoustic engineering - protecting people and assets in industries ranging from energy and aerospace to defence and power generation.

They bring together advanced fabrication capability, in-house CFD and FEA, and a hands-on engineering culture that values practical problem solving as much as theoretical excellence. Projects are often bespoke, complex and critical, offering engineers exposure to technically challenging work and opportunities to influence systems from concept through to commissioning.

If you're looking to apply your engineering expertise in a role that combines precision, creativity and impact - this is the kind of environment where your skills will matter.

As Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, you'll be at the forefront of delivering innovative, compliant, and efficient design solutions across a range of high-integrity engineering projects. This is a senior role with real influence – overseeing mechanical design delivery, supporting business growth through value engineering, and ensuring best-in-class engineering governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design activities, ensuring “right first time” output and adherence to engineering standards

• Support tendering activity with expert input into specifications and design concepts

• Schedule and allocate work across the mechanical design team, aligning resources with project timelines

• Approve designs, reports, calculations and technical submissions, ensuring consistent quality

• Act as a technical authority for external design partners and subcontractors

• Drive continuous improvement across engineering processes and documentation

• Represent the design function in internal reviews and customer meetings

• Maintain effective collaboration across engineering, applications and project teams

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications:

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering (essential)

• Additional qualifications in acoustics, physics or professional memberships (IMechE, IOA) are desirable

Experience:

• Significant experience in a senior mechanical engineering role, ideally with team leadership responsibility

• Strong grounding in core mechanical engineering principles

• Experience with fabrication design, structural codes, and regulatory compliance (e.g. Machinery Directive, CDM, ATEX) is a bonus

Skills & Attributes:

• Excellent leadership, coaching and communication skills

• Confident decision-maker with a proactive mindset

• Able to juggle multiple priorities, projects and deadlines

• Proficient in engineering software and design tools (e.g. CAD, MathCAD, MS Office)

• Strong eye for detail and a passion for quality in engineering delivery

This is an ideal opportunity for a mechanically minded leader who thrives in a collaborative setting and is passionate about driving engineering excellence. You'll play a crucial part in shaping the performance and capability of a highly skilled team.

If you’re looking to make your next move into a senior design leadership position with real impact – we’d love to hear from you.