Principal Design Engineer

Principal Design Engineer – Mechanical
Location: Surrey Salary: Up to £70K

Join a truly exceptional team.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile leadership role with a multi-award-winning UK business that designs and manufactures world-class scientific instruments. Known for technical excellence, innovation, and a people-first culture, this company offers more than just a job – it offers real purpose, cutting-edge engineering, and a genuinely supportive environment.

As Principal Design Engineer, you’ll lead a talented design team in the development of highly specialised electro-mechanical products used across the energy and materials testing industries – from traditional fuels to next-gen renewables. You’ll take concepts from first sketch through to global production, all while working in a culture that encourages creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Why this role stands out:

• Work on complex, high-precision instruments that are used and respected worldwide

• Be part of a stable, growing company with multiple Queen’s Awards and ISO accreditations

• Lead a tight-knit, high-calibre mechanical design team who take real pride in their work

• Collaborate closely across R&D, production, and supply chain to bring ideas to life

• Have genuine influence in product strategy, design decisions, and team development

• Enjoy a flat, friendly structure where innovation and initiative are truly valued

What you’ll bring:

• A degree in Engineering and 5 years of mechanical design experience

• Proficiency in SolidWorks and a solid understanding of modern manufacturing processes – CNC, sheet metal, casting, 3D printing, coatings, etc.

• A hands-on, problem-solving approach with a passion for engineering

• The ability to lead, mentor, and inspire other engineers

• A drive to continually raise the bar in design, quality, and performance

If you’re looking for a role where your ideas will be heard, your work will have global impact, and your career will thrive in a forward-thinking environment – this is it.

Location: Surrey (easily commutable from West London, Guildford, Reading, Woking, etc.)