Design Engineer, Kettering

Our client is a leading engineering business that has been established for over half a century providing mechanical handling solutions to many industries across the globe.

They are looking to strengthen their projects & design team by recruiting an additional project engineer / design engineer to their successful team.

If you have previous design and or project experience within materials handling equipment and are looking to join a highly stable company who can offer a competitive salary then apply now for immediate consideration.

Purpose of Job

Responsible for the engineering and technical disciplines needed to complete a project.

Project Engineer / Design Engineer - Core Skillset

1. System layout experience
2. SolidWorks + AutoCAD (GA, Design & Detailing)
3. Experience with special purpose machinery, ideally conveyors
4. Sheet metal, structural and fabrication design
5. Solid knowledge of material flow
6. Project Management
7. Managing costs, BOMs
8. ERP/ MRP systems
9. Prior experience with recycling equipment ideal but not essential

Design Activities

1. To produce general arrangement drawings in 3D and/or 2D for the Projects and Sales departments. This involves the full engineering integration of the company's inhouse products (conveyors, structures and ancillary equipment) with that of specialist third party manufacturers to create a tailored plant layout within the space available without compromising material flow.
2. To work with the Sales team or the Projects team to optimise a layout until it reaches the point of Design Freeze at which the customer signs off the GA to allow full project launch.
3. To ensure design quality, cost, time and standardisation are appropriately considered throughout the design and delivery process.
4. To use SolidWorks and AutoCAD as the main design platforms for the above.

Project Engineer / Design Engineer - Project Execution

1. Be hands-on, pro-active and own the engineering development of a project from initial concept through design, release, manufacturing, testing and commissioning.
2. To model and detail detailed in-house products through to full release to the shopfloor producing detailed manufacturing drawings from 3D models (SolidWorks). This will involve using the Company's standards library and customising if necessary.
3. To create and release BOM's (Bill of Materials) within the company MRP system.
4. To produce and maintain technical documents for the Engineering and Sales departments, operating manuals, H&S, maintenance etc.
5. To define product technical specifications, both internal design standards and legislative/mandated industry standards.
6. To attend site to take or check measurements.
7. To produce technical specifications for in-house products or those we purchase.
8. To challenge existing designs and manufacturing methods for the benefit of the Company and the customer.
9. To work closely with the Manufacturing department, Project Engineers and Sales team to ensure designed products meet the overall requirements of the business.
10. To provide full engineering support on the project including at site whenever needed and particularly over Installation, Commissioning and Testing.
11. To give full support to the Project Manager over the course of the project and attend site as necessary to ensure the plant/machine is successfully commissioned and customer is delighted.

Assessment and Improvement Duties

1. Assess which sales and/or project layouts worked well, and which did not in order to improve the design process for next time.
2. Work on the continuous improvement of existing products and processes.
3. Make any necessary adjustments to designs to reduce costs wherever possible.
4. To analyse the costings of our proposals and projects in comparison to our competitors' Proposals to unlock the differences between what is being offered in order help the Company's Sales department become more effective with its own proposals.
5. To remove cost from our proposals by working continuously toward smarter solutions, tighter designs, alternative third-party suppliers and new processing concepts. To add as much functionality to every design, even if the extra functionality is included as priced extras. Our aim is for the most efficient designs with best functionality at the most cost-effective prices.
6. To appraise the Sales proposals to ensure the quality of our designs, offers and our approach is always at the highest possible level, visually appealing as possible, clear as possible in its concept to ensure our customers will value it.

Experience & Qualifications

1. Experience as a Project Engineer / Design Engineer
2. Experience in sheet metal and fabricated product design is essential
3. Experience in special purpose machinery design, desirable
4. Experience in recycling and associated material flow
5. Proficient use of SolidWorks 2022 & AutoCAD 2D
6. Basic knowledge of electrical engineering
7. Creative and innovative with a desire to improve continuously
8. Excellent problem-solving skills
9. Able to efficiently communicate both written and oral
10. Confident decision-making ability
11. HNC or equivalent within mechanical / manufacturing engineering subject

Please apply ASAP