13 Dec 2026
13 Dec 2026
Teddington, United Kingdom
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Engineering Design
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Starting from £56,118
Permanent

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Senior Design Engineer - Mechanical

About the Role
Who sets the standards, to ensure that anything that can be measured is done so with consistency and reliability? We do. Through our vital research, the National Physical Laboratory is helping support scientific and commercial innovations, international trade, environmental protection and health and wellbeing. As a Senior Design Engineer, you’ll be the one who makes sure our metrology, scientific and research equipment is capable of delivering our ambitions. At NPL, we touch ordinary lives in extraordinary ways and you could too.

We’re continually finding new ways in which our work can leave its imprint on the world. Yet to achieve our goals, we need highly technical and innovative engineering design solutions. First, you’ll understand what the aim of the project is. You’ll then review a variety of solutions to ensure your proposal matches the brief perfectly and that it can be delivered to the highest quality, on time and within budget. You’ll also provide analysis to test designs and monitor performance, as well as manage the design review process – communicating issues and keeping us on track. As a senior member of the team, you’ll supervise those with less experience – sharing your knowledge and motivating them to do better. As an expert in your field, not only will you provide everyday design solution advice, you’ll also provide a consultancy service as needed across the department. As such, you’ll be expected to be up-to-date with the latest developments.
About You
As a Senior Design Engineer, you have a proven track record of developing innovative and highly technical mechanical solutions for complex scientific, research, industrial, or precision engineering applications. You are equally comfortable defining requirements with stakeholders, developing concepts, performing analysis, and delivering fully detailed designs suitable for manufacture and assembly.

Your expertise in precision mechanical design, engineering calculations, manufacturing processes, and CAD enables you to solve challenging engineering problems and provide trusted technical leadership across multiple projects. Whether designing bespoke scientific instrumentation, high-precision mechanisms, or complex machinery, you take pride in delivering robust engineering solutions that perform first time and meet demanding customer requirements.
You are a confident communicator who can engage effectively with scientists, engineers, technicians, suppliers, and project stakeholders. You enjoy collaborating within multidisciplinary teams, leading technical discussions, and mentoring less experienced engineers to help develop the capability of the wider team.

Desired

A qualification in Mechanical Engineering (minimum HND or equivalent).

Significant experience designing precision mechanical equipment, machinery, scientific instrumentation or automation machinery

Strong 3D CAD capability, ideally using SolidWorks.

Experience producing engineering drawings to BS8888, including GPS/GD&T principles.

A good understanding of engineering analysis and mechanical calculations, with FEA experience advantageous.

Knowledge of precision manufacturing processes and design for manufacture principles.

Experience working within regulated or quality-managed environments, such as ISO 9001.

Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving skills.

Experience leading technical activities, design reviews, or mentoring engineers.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
About Us
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.