Mechanical Design and Test Engineer

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

As a Mechanical Design & Test Engineer, you will join our team to support our activities within the Aerospace sector.

You will be responsible for designing and validating mechanical components to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Working across design and verification activities, you will support the development of robust, safety-critical products through simulation, testing, and engineering change processes.

• Location: Reading
• On Site: 4 times a week
• Clearance: Eligibility for UK Security Clearance required
• Experience Level: Mid- Senior level

Key Responsibilities:

• Design mechanical components with consideration for environmental conditions such as shock, vibration, and temperature
• Develop and execute environmental test plans and reports
• Supervise or conduct testing activities, ensuring accurate data capture and analysis
• Perform FEA and thermal simulations using Ansys to validate design performance
• Create and modify designs using SolidWorks CAD
• Support and manage engineering change processes (change requests, change orders)
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure design robustness and compliance

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Strong experience in mechanical design within aerospace or safety-critical environments
• Experience designing for environmental requirements (shock, vibration, thermal conditions)
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for CAD design
• Experience using Ansys for FEA and thermal analysis
• Ability to develop and execute test plans and validation activities
• Understanding of engineering change management processes

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
• Experience in design, simulation, and testing of mechanical systems
• Exposure to regulated or safety-critical engineering environments

Desirable Skills:

• Experience with environmental qualification standards (e.g. vibration, thermal testing)
• Familiarity with aerospace validation and verification processes
• Exposure to product lifecycle management and configuration control
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary engineering teams

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

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