Development Engineer - Senior/Lead Design Authority

Development Engineer - Senior/Lead Design Authority - Kidderminster, UKAre you ready to ignite your career with a world leader in rocket motor design and development? We are seeking an exceptional Development Engineer - Senior/Lead Design Authority to join our clients talented team at our state-of-the-art facility in Summerfield, Kidderminster.About UsWe are an Anglo-French company at the forefront of designing, developing, and manufacturing cutting-edge solid propellant rocket motors for tactical missiles. With operations in the UK and France and a team of over 700 professionals, we're proud to play a key role in global defence capabilities.Their UK operations are entirely based at Summerfield, where innovation meets precision. If you're a passionate engineer ready to tackle exciting challenges from concept design to customer in-service support, we want to speak with you!About the RoleAs a Design Authority, you'll take ownership of projects across their lifecycle, including concept design, development, qualification, and production. This role combines diverse engineering principles, from lightweight structural design to extreme environmental testing, offering a stimulating opportunity to broaden your expertise.Depending on experience, the successful candidate will join them as either a Senior or Lead Design Authority.Key Responsibilities of the role:Design Evolution: Manage designs to meet customer requirements, approve detailed production drawings, lead DFMEAs, and validate production processes.Compliance Assurance: Specify and review structural, thermal, and ballistic analyses, approve supplier methods, and lead trials readiness reviews.Technical Leadership: Produce technical specifications, deliver presentations, and lead formal design reviews.Customer Interface: Serve as the primary technical contact for customers, missile contractors (e.g., MBDA, Thales), and end-users (e.g., MoD, DGA).Trials Management: Plan and manage trials, including structural testing, rocket motor firings, and hardware assessments.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with CAD designers, stress analysts, materials experts, and project managers to deliver excellence.About You:You must be a qualified engineer with a formal degree (or equivalent) in mechanical, aeronautical, or related engineering disciplines. Your key attributes include:Technical Expertise: Strong grasp of engineering principles, materials (metals and polymers), and manufacturing techniques.Analytical Thinking: Ability to assimilate and evaluate technical information across disciplines.Communication Skills: Present complex problems clearly and work effectively with technical specialists and customers.Attention to Detail: Precision is your priority.Practical Aptitude: A hands-on approach and an interest in both theoretical and practical aspects of engineering.Organisational Excellence: Manage workloads efficiently under pressure.Proficiency with Tools: Skilled in PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and technical report writing.Preferred ExperienceDFMEA, 'Design to Cost,' and 'Design for Manufacture' principles.Trials and assessment testing (structural testing, vibration analysis, etc.).For more information and to register your interest please apply with a copy of your up to date CV.