Mechanical Design Engineer – Mechanical Systems

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer – Mechanical Systems

Location: Portsmouth Naval Base – Hybrid

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Up to £42,000 depending on experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

In this role, you will undertake a defined range of detail design activities in line with all relevant processes and quality requirements, supplying advice and support to operations and other functions. This will be achieved by ensuring defined objectives are achieved whilst continually maintaining quality and service requirement.

Core duties:

• You will conduct on board ship trials and surveys and communicating with other departments, Design Services disciplines, customers and suppliers
• You will carry out technical investigations into operational problems or developments, develop, and prepare solutions, individually or as a member of a team
• You will support the development of best practice to increase the capability, performance of tools and processes
• You will produce technical drawing guidance packages, detail parts lists and inventories through AutoCAD / Inventor design
• You will represent the Mechanical / Piping team at various project design reviews for the task you are working on or supporting other colleagues on other platform tasking
• You will use various internal and external customer driven databases to source information

Essential Skills:

• You will have AutoCAD / Inventor (i.e. 2D/3D, AutoDesk, Foran) design experience, showcasing this through producing detailed manufacturing & assembly drawings
• You will understand detailed system and technical engineering drawings including manufacturing drawings with knowledge of projection layouts, scaling & tolerancing. This will include knowledge of ship system engineering drawings i.e, P&ID’s, diagrammatics and piping isometrics and also ship systems materials and equipment (symbols)
• You will have knowledge of maritime warship / commercial systems i.e. fluid based systems, Mechanical systems. Able to perform, at least, basic pressure loss and flow calculations, with a view to sizing pipework in designs
• You will be familiar with Mechanical manufacturing processes
• You will have an understanding of Mechanical ship systems (build or in service), including experience in RN surface ship standards and governance

The Design Services Team:

Design Services are the BAE Systems Maritime ‘in service’ technical support cell located within Portsmouth Naval Base. We employ approx. 180 personnel across all disciplines including Mechanical, Electrical & Combat Systems (ECS), Structures / Outfit (S&O) and HVAC to create modification design packages and reports for installation and integration on legacy warships. Along with our Safety section, and Naval Architects, we are a broad mix of varying engineering & educational backgrounds and experience.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 15th July 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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