Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer Salary Range: £35,000 – £50,000 DOE Contract Type: Permanent Location: Ipswich Working Hours: * Monday to Thursday: 08:00–17:00 * Friday: 08:00–15:00 Holiday Allowance: * 20 days + 8 Bank Holidays * Holiday increases with service (1 extra day per year after 5 years, up to 25 days) Pension: Standard auto-enrolment scheme Christmas Shutdown: 2-week period The Opportunity This is a key appointment within the design function of the business, offering the chance to take full ownership of projects from cradle to grave. The successful candidate will play a vital role in developing high-performance agricultural machinery, working closely with production, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, and maintaining the company’s high product standards. Day-to-Day Responsibilities: * Full concept-to-production mechanical design of agricultural machinery * 3D modelling using Autodesk Inventor * Generation of piece part drawings from 3D models * Modification of existing designs and drawings as required * Creation of Bills of Materials (BOMs) * Liaison with production regarding build processes and change requests * Interpretation of new and evolving UK/EU regulations * Performing calculations to ensure regulatory compliance * Occasional finite element analysis (FEA) – limited but useful * Designs optimised for shipping container requirements Essential Requirements: * Degree or equivalent in Mechanical or Agricultural Engineering * Minimum of 5 years’ experience in mechanical design * Heavy fabrication experience – large assemblies (up to 15 tonnes) * Fully fluent in 3D CAD (Inventor preferred, SolidWorks/Creo acceptable) * Strong communication skills – must be fluent in English * Must be willing to work full-time on-site (no hybrid/remote options) * Strong attention to detail and ability to manage the design process through the full lifecycle Desirable Experience: * Prior experience with Autodesk Inventor (preferred) * FEA or structural calculations experience * Knowledge of agricultural machinery or attachments * Familiarity with regulatory standards affecting trailer/agricultural design