ABOUT ABL:

Air Bearings Limited (ABL) are a world leading innovative manufacturer of air bearing solutions, used across the engineering spectrum.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are recruiting for a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, who will provide strategic guidance across all stages of product development, ensuring alignment with both the company’s long-term vision and the existing air bearing product range. The role will be instrumental in driving product innovation and enhancing team capabilities.
You will also provide support to manufacturing, procurement, quality and engineering departments consistent with principles of introduction of new/improved methods and products.

WHAT WILL THE ROLE INVOLVE?

• To be proficient in the use of CFD, thermal and FEA tools particularly in the area of high-speed rotating machinery and to provide supporting evidence to design proposals through their use, refining designs in line with the results of theoretical analysis tools
• To ensure the practical implementation of both theoretical and proven solutions in collaboration with the engineering, manufacturing, quality and procurement departments.
• You will collaborate closely with the engineering, manufacturing, quality, and procurement teams, guiding the implementation of both innovative and proven solutions, ensuring that product development adheres to the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
• To work with ABL’s Engineering team in the development of new parts and products and to produce CAD models and develop outline and detailed design information.
• To construct, maintain and review project management plans which define the ‘work breakdown structure’ required to complete development and new product introduction activities within agreed time schedules.
• To take ownership of projects, monitoring and driving progress towards agreed completion targets, communicating issues as they arise to all relevant parties.
• You will take a lead role in organizing and guiding cross-functional project teams, ensuring that ‘design for manufacture’ principles are effectively integrated. Your strategic input will ensure that tooling and resource requirements are clearly defined and addressed early in the process.
• To be an Engineering representative within interdisciplinary project teams dealing with product developments or improvements.
• You will oversee the investigation and resolution of customer and supplier issues, providing expert leadership in identifying root causes and ensuring that corrective and preventative actions are implemented across departments to prevent recurrence.
• To work with assembly and quality departments to define assembly and test procedures, ensuring these are formally documented and revision controlled.
• As a principal technical resource, you will offer strategic support to both internal teams and customers, ensuring that all solutions are technically robust and aligned with company objectives. You will be a go-to expert for complex technical challenges across departments.
• To take an active role in the promotion of new and existing products to customers and agents.
• Maintain frequent contact with customers, answering technical queries and defining requirements for new projects.