Mechanical Design Engineer

With over 100 years of engineering excellence, Ridgway Machines is a world-leading manufacturer of precision taping and winding machines for the electrical, energy, and oil & gas industries. Recently acquired by Tokamak Energy to accelerate superconducting technology, we're involved in some of the world's most exciting engineering projects—including ITER's Fusion Power Plant and CERN's Large Hadron Collider.

From innovative designs to global customer support, we deliver expert solutions for clients worldwide. Based at Meridian Business Park in Leicester, we're a skilled team of specialist engineers working at the cutting edge of power generation machinery.

Ridgway Machines is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with proven experience designing machinery, mechanisms and moving mechanical systems.

This is not a general mechanical design role. We are specifically looking for engineers who have designed machines, mechanical equipment, rotating machinery, automation systems or other complex moving assemblies and who can demonstrate ownership of those designs.

If your background is primarily focused on analysis, simulation, CFD, aerodynamics, structural design or static equipment design, this role is unlikely to be the right fit.

The Opportunity

Joining an established engineering team, you will take ownership of the design and development of bespoke machinery from concept through to manufacture.

You will work on challenging engineering projects involving rotating equipment, mechanical assemblies, moving mechanisms and custom-built machinery for industrial applications.

What You'll Be Doing

• Designing bespoke machinery using SolidWorks
• Designing mechanisms, moving assemblies and mechanical systems
• Developing concepts through detailed design and manufacture
• Producing engineering drawings and documentation
• Selecting materials and mechanical components
• Supporting design reviews
• Maintaining BOMs and engineering records
• Working closely with manufacturing, suppliers and project teams
• Solving practical mechanical engineering challenges

Requirements

• Experience in Machinery and Mechanical equipment design
• Desirable - experience with rotating equipment, mechanisms and moving assemblies, Industrial machinery
• Mechanical systems design
• Design for manufacture
• 3D CAD design using SolidWorks or a similar package

Applicants should be able to describe specific machinery they have personally designed and explain their contribution to the project.

Ideal Backgrounds

Experience from the following sectors is particularly relevant:

• Special purpose machinery
• Industrial machinery
• Automation and robotics
• Manufacturing equipment
• Process machinery
• Capital equipment
• Rotating machinery
• Bespoke engineering equipment

Qualifications

• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Solid 3D CAD experience (SolidWorks preferred)

Benefits

• Salary range £40,000 to £60,000 dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed from the outset
• 37.5 hour working week, Friday finish at 1.30pm for production teams
• Free parking
• 25 days paid annual leave (includes 3 days for Christmas shut down) plus 8 days paid public holidays
• Company Bonus scheme
• Stakeholder Pension
• Family friendly policies
• Training and Personal Development
• Some onward International Travel Opportunities
• Complementary corporate work wear
• Relocation Assistance

Important information for candidates

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Ridgway Machines as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see:

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with Ridgway Machines and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to building an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience.

If you have a disability or require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please let us know. We’re happy to make the necessary arrangements to ensure you can perform at your best.