Mechanical Engineering Lead

Location: Wimbledon / Kingston on Thames locality
Salary: 75,000 - 85,000 Base Salary + Benefits
Security Clearance: SC (or eligible)
Nationality Requirement: UK Nationals only

This is more than just a leadership role - it's an opportunity to shape the future of advanced engineering programmes that support critical UK and international capabilities.
As a Mechanical Engineering Lead, you will take ownership of a high-performing team, driving excellence across the full engineering lifecycle - from early concept through to development, qualification, production, and in-service support.
You will play a key role in developing engineering capability, ensuring best practice, and delivering robust, high-quality mechanical solutions in a highly regulated and technically demanding environment.

• Lead and line manage a team of up to 10 mechanical engineers, supporting performance, development and well-being
• Oversee engineering outputs including designs, analysis, technical documentation and compliance reviews
• Drive delivery of complex engineering activities such as development programmes, failure investigations and root cause analysis
• Ensure projects are delivered to quality, cost and schedule targets
• Manage resource planning, including recruitment, workload balancing and outsourcing decisions
• Develop team capability through competency frameworks, training plans and career development initiatives
• Promote continuous improvement across processes, tools, design practices and engineering standards
• Contribute to wider strategic engineering initiatives and business objectives

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Proven experience developing mechanical or electro-mechanical systems within defence, maritime or aerospace environments
• Strong CAD experience
• Solid understanding of mechanical design, design for manufacture, and analysis techniques (including hand calculations and FEA)
• Experience leading technical teams through full product development lifecycles
• Ability to review and approve engineering designs, drawings and stress analyses
• Experience conducting structured root cause analysis and troubleshooting
• Strong communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills

• Chartered Engineer status
• Experience with CREO, Windchill or similar CAD/PLM systems
• Knowledge of material properties and treatments, particularly aluminium and steel
• Awareness of REACH and RoHS standards
• Experience using FEA, CFD and understanding of manufacturing processes

• Lead impactful engineering work supporting critical national capability
• Shape and grow a talented engineering team
• Work on complex, technically challenging projects
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Clear pathway into senior leadership

Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business.
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