A contract position Outside IR35 4 days pw on site in West Sussex Capable of getting Basic Security check Our client, a respected entity in the automotive sector, is currently seeking a Principal Design Engineer with proven Vehicle Design and Powertrain Integration experience. Key Responsibilities: Concept and definitive 3D mechanical design of systems, system assemblies, and complex components such as the integration of powertrain, steering, braking and auxiliary systems into a vehicle Leading Design Deliverables Detailed mechanical design work including basic stress calculations, FMEA's, 2D detailing, 2D layouts, and tolerance stacks as required Close cooperation with FEA and Simulation teams to ensure products meet design validation requirements Close cooperation with manufacturing and process engineers to ensure products meet DFMA requirements Management of Bill of Materials Creation of technical reports and documentation as required for engineering projects Liaison with suppliers and other departments to ensure the required information is available when needed and customer requests are dealt with in a timely manner Responsibility for coaching and mentoring design engineers in design techniques Ability to take on project roles such as Lead Designer as required by the project, with the ability to lead small- to mid-size project teams Ensure all designs comply with regulatory, safety, and customer required standards Understanding of market sector trends and market development Job Requirements: Degree (Bachelor or Masters) in Mechanical Engineering or a similar field or with equivalent technical experience Substantive experience in Mechanical Design Engineering with a focus on Vehicle Engineering, powertrain integration, and component integration Broad range of mechanical design knowledge, specializing in: vehicle component integration, braking system integration, steering system integration, electrical and ICE powertrain integration Solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles with the ability to interpret FEA and CFD results and incorporate them into mechanical design Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and their impact on design, experience with DFMA Ability to understand, produce, and check 2D technical drawings to a high standard with high GD&T competency Experienced user of CATIA V5 and/or Creo Parametric 12 Experience with PLM systems, Windchill preferred Leadership of small teams Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Office Experience with commercial vehicles and off-highway in a defence application is an advantage Personal Attributes: Willing to work on Defence projects that are classified up to and including Secret Willing to work on site Confident, proactive and adaptive, with the ability to take the lead in challenging situations to achieve company goals and objectives Acting as a role model representing the company values Strong technical and report writing communication skills in English Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills Able to prioritize and organize multiple project workloads and tasks working to tight deadlines If you are a seasoned Principal Design Engineer with a background in the automotive sector, we invite you to apply now and contribute to our client's innovative projects