Lead Design Engineer

Moog is a performance culture that empowers people to achieve great things. Our people enjoy solving interesting technical challenges in a culture where everyone trusts each other to do the right thing. For you, working with us can mean deeper job satisfaction, better rewards, and a great quality of life inside and outside of work.

Job Title:

Lead Design Engineer

Reporting To:

Management, Design Engineering

Work Schedule:

Onsite – Tewkesbury, GBR

Role summary:

Moog Commercial Aircraft Group (Wolverhampton) is seeking a Lead Design Engineer (mechanical) to lead and develop design workstreams for commercial flight‑control products. You’ll lead a small team of designers, take technical accountability for delivery, and drive designs from concept through prototype testing to manufacture and handover. You will resolve complex technical problems, ensure compliance with customer and airworthiness requirements, and mentor junior engineers. You will report to the Commercial Engineering Manager (Design) and be based at either the Wolverhampton or Tewkesbury Moog sites.

As a Lead Design Engineer, you will:

• Lead a team of designers and take technical accountability for design deliverables, schedules and quality.

• Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for rotating equipment and hydraulic systems, from concept to production.

• Collaborate with project, systems and stress teams to ensure designs meet all customer performance and airworthiness requirements and applicable regulations.

• Create and review accurate technical drawings and 3D CAD models suitable for manufacture and assembly.

• Apply GD&T and perform tolerance analysis to verify fit, function and manufacturability.

• Lead and facilitate DFMEA and risk identification activities; identify technical risks and mitigation strategies early.

• Present design concepts, progress updates and final designs to customers and stakeholders; support technical discussions and defend engineering tradeoffs.

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers; support onboarding and develop team capability.

• Support prototype build, testing and troubleshooting; iterate designs based on test results and capture lessons learnt to feed into future programs.

• Generate and maintain design documentation: BOMs, revision history and engineering change notices (ECN).

• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturing partners to specify components, tolerances and manufacturing processes.

• Escalate issues with clear analysis, options and recommended actions when required.

• Able to travel overseas (Asia and USA) and travel within the UK (between Wolverhampton and Tewkesbury Moog sites).

To be considered for the Lead Design Engineer role, here’s what you’ll need to bring with you:

• Master’s and/or Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

• Significant practical experience in mechanical design (typically 8+ years) with proven experience in senior technical roles.

• Experience in aerospace industry with an understanding of regulated design and airworthiness principles.

• Experience designing rotating equipment (differential gears, ballscrews, bearings, housings, seals, shafts, couplings, torque limiters and no-back brakes) and hydraulic systems (valves, solenoids, servos, brakes).

• Proficiency in producing technical drawings and specifications; working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack‑ups.

• Knowledge of material selection and manufacturing processes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; concise and confident presenter able to represent the team with customers and senior stakeholders.

• Calm and effective under technical pressure; strong track record of resolving complex technical problems and making pragmatic engineering tradeoffs under pressure.

• Experience leading or contributing to DFMEAs and risk assessments; ability to identify and manage technical risks.

• Demonstrated experience participating in Material Review Board (MRB) processes, experience in dispositioning and approving non‑conforming products.

Desirable skills, experience and tools:

• Registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer is highly desirable.

• Experience with 3D CAD systems (Siemens NX preferred) and CAD best practices.

• Experience with PLM/PDM systems (Teamcenter preferred).

• Experienced in flight control actuation system designs, specifically High-Lift System (HLS) and/or Horizontal Stabilizer Trim System (HSTS).

Personal attributes:

• Creative and innovative with strong spatial awareness and the ability to generate multiple concepts.

• Detail oriented with high standards for accuracy and manufacturability.

• Strong leadership presence; supports, coaches and develops the team while taking ownership of outcomes.

• Collaborative approach with an openness to diverse ideas, emerging technologies and new ways of working.

• Pragmatic decision maker who balances technical rigour with project realities to drive effective solutions.

• Able to manage competing priorities and work within project timelines.

What We Offer:

• Flexible benefits package and development opportunities to support career progression

• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)

• Private medical insurance, mental health support and financial advice

• Generous life assurance and company pension contribution (from 6%)

• Employee share options, free onsite parking and EV Charging

You Matter at Moog – Our Mission and Vision:

At Moog, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion. We aim to create a culture where everyone is valued, respected, and given equal opportunities. We strive to empower employees to bring their authentic selves to work, celebrating our differences to foster a welcoming environment for all.

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We manage vacancies internally, preferring direct hiring and referrals for efficiency. When needed, we engage agencies from our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Speculative CVs from agencies not on our PSL will not be considered, and no introduction fee will apply.

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