Mechanical Engineering Functional Lead

Location: New Malden

Salary: £75,000 - £85,000

Clearance: SC (or eligible)

What’s Your Possible?

At Northrop Grumman UK, you will help solve some of the world’s most complex engineering challenges. You’ll shape the technology of tomorrow and build a career with purpose. This is what we call Defining Possible.

The Opportunity

This is more than a job; it’s a mission.

As the Mechanical Engineering Functional Lead, you will line manage up to 10 engineers who design and develop NGUKs mechanical products, from concept through development and qualification, whilst supporting production and in‑service activities.

You’ll be responsible for the quality of the output of the mechanical engineers whilst ensuring they follow process and best practice. You will also be responsible for building the mechanical engineering capability, as directed by the hardware engineering manager, through identification of required competencies, gap analysis and implementation / support of development plans.

This role would suit a high performing and highly competent mechanical engineer with strong leadership skills who sees their future in a management position. Your leadership will directly support critical UK and international mission systems, including technology that underpins the Royal Navy’s capability.

What You Will Do

• Lead the Mechanical Engineering team, ensuring quality, performance and wellbeing.
• Oversee engineering outputs including designs, analyses, documentation and compliance reviews.
• Lead high profile and/or complex activities, including development projects, root cause and correct action investigations, and failure analyses.
• Ensure high‑quality delivery against schedule, cost and technical performance targets.
• Manage resource planning, including supply vs demand and outsource decisions, as well as recruitment of mechanical engineers.
• Identify the competencies required and build the competence within the team through identification of training and providing opportunities to build experiences and demonstrate competence.
• Support improvements in processes, toolsets, design practices and engineering standards.
• Support strategic engineering initiatives and contribute to business unit objectives.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a degree in a similar field (equivalent experience would be considered).
• Experience developing mechanical or electromechanical systems in defence, maritime or aerospace.
• Experience in developing designs using CAD
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, design for manufacture, analysis techniques (including hand calculations and FEA), and engineering design standards.
• Experience leading technical teams through a development lifecycle.
• Ability to interpret, review and approve engineering designs, drawings and stress analyses.
• Experience performing root cause analyses and troubleshooting through structured approaches
• Strong communication, organisation and stakeholder‑management skills.

Preferred

• Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience with CREO, Windchill or similar CAD/PLM tools.
• Knowledge of materials properties and treatments, especially for aluminium and steel. Knowledge of REACH/RoHS standards would be of benefit.
• Demonstrated use of FEA, CFD, and manufacturing processes.

If you don’t meet every requirement but feel inspired by the role, we encourage you to apply.

Security Clearance

You must meet the nationality and residency requirements for UK Security Check (SC) clearance.
You must be able to gain and maintain this clearance for the role.
For questions, contact: talentenquiries@uk.ngc.com

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.