Mechanical Engineer Vacancies — Newcastle & North East
Job vacancies for mechanical engineers across the North East
Nigel Wright Group is the leading and largest professional recruitment agency in the North East of England. For over 35 years, we have helped job seekers secure mechanical engineer job openings at a wide range of businesses operating in diverse sectors. Consultants based at our Newcastle upon Tyne and Teesside offices can quickly connect candidates with local employers seeking their skills.
Mechanical engineer job opportunities
To discuss any of our current mechanical engineer job vacancies or find out more about registering your CV on our database, please contact us directly or use the chat function below to talk with a member of our support team. If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to review all of the advertised mechanical engineer jobs in Newcastle and the North East on our vacancies page.
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Careers in mechanical engineering
A mechanical engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and improving mechanical systems and devices that involve moving parts, energy, and forces. Mechanical engineering applies principles of physics, material science, and engineering to create efficient and innovative solutions for a variety of industries. Here’s an overview of typical mechanical engineer job types and duties:
1. Design and Development of Mechanical Systems
Product Design: Design new products, machines, and tools, ranging from small components like gears and engines to larger systems like HVAC units, vehicles, and manufacturing equipment.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Use CAD software to create detailed designs, blueprints, and 3D models of mechanical systems before they are built.
Prototyping: After designing a product, experienced mechanical engineers often create and test prototypes to ensure the design works as intended.
2. Analysis and Testing
Stress and Strain Analysis: Analyse how materials and mechanical systems respond to forces, stress, temperature, and vibration to ensure that designs are durable and safe.
Simulation and Testing: Use simulation software and conduct physical tests to verify that systems meet performance and safety criteria.
Failure Analysis: In the case of mechanical failure, mechanical engineers analyse the root cause and find ways to improve the design or materials to prevent recurrence.
3. Manufacturing and Production
Manufacturing Process Design: Design processes for producing parts and systems efficiently. This may include selecting manufacturing techniques like machining, welding, casting, or 3D printing.
Quality Control: ensure that the manufacturing process produces components that meet design specifications and quality standards.
Cost Optimisation: Work to reduce manufacturing costs by optimising designs for efficient material use and production methods.
4. Thermodynamics and Energy Systems
Energy Conversion Systems: Design systems that convert energy from one form to another, such as engines, turbines, power plants, and refrigeration systems.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): Design efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation systems in buildings, ensuring occupant comfort and energy efficiency.
Renewable Energy Systems: Some mechanical engineers work on renewable energy technologies, such as solar power systems, wind turbines, or energy storage solutions.
5. Material Science and Selection
Material Selection: Choose appropriate materials for each component, balancing factors like strength, weight, cost, and durability.
Material Testing: Conduct tests on materials to ensure they meet specific performance requirements for strength, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.
6. Automation and Robotics
Automation Systems: Design automated systems and robotic devices used in manufacturing, industrial processes, and consumer products.
Control Systems: They often collaborate with electrical engineers to design control systems that regulate the operation of machinery and equipment.
7. Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
Fluid Systems: Design systems that involve the flow of fluids, such as pumps, piping systems, and turbines.
Hydraulic Systems: Work on hydraulic equipment and systems used in machinery like construction vehicles, aircraft, and manufacturing equipment.
Aerodynamics: In industries like aerospace and automotive, mechanical engineers study how air interacts with moving objects to optimise designs for performance, fuel efficiency, and safety.
8. Project Management
Planning and Execution: Mechanical engineers often oversee projects from concept to completion, ensuring that designs are implemented according to specifications and on time.
Team Collaboration: Coordinate with other engineers, technicians, and departments, such as electrical engineers, materials scientists, and production teams, to achieve project goals.
Budgeting and Cost Estimation: Estimate costs, develop budgets, and ensure projects stay within financial constraints.
9. Maintenance and Reliability
System Maintenance: Develop maintenance schedules and procedures to keep mechanical systems running efficiently over time.
Reliability Engineering: They focus on designing systems that minimise the chances of breakdowns and maximise uptime and reliability.
10. Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Sustainable Design: Work to reduce the environmental impact of their designs by focusing on energy efficiency, material reduction, and the use of sustainable resources.
Waste Reduction: In manufacturing and product design, they aim to minimise waste, both in the production process and in the life cycle of the products they create.
Key Skills of a Mechanical Engineer
Depending on experience, a mechanical engineer job description will ask candidates to demonstrate the following skills and attributes:
- Mathematics and Physics: Use advanced math and physics to understand the forces, motions, and energy involved in mechanical systems.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Adept at analysing problems, troubleshooting issues, and finding innovative solutions to technical challenges.
- Technical Expertise: Ability to work with tools like CAD software, simulation programs, and analysis tools is critical for success.
- Creativity: Creativity to design new, efficient systems that solve real-world problems.
- Attention to Detail: Precision in design, testing, and manufacturing is crucial to ensure safety, performance, and reliability.
Our track record in promoting jobs for mechanical engineers
We’re proud to represent North East businesses of all sizes. Our client portfolio consists of start-ups, SMEs, and FTSE and AIM-listed organisations active in the Automotive, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Energy, Biomedical, Construction and Building Services sectors, among others. Some of the companies that have used our expertise and networks to hire mechanical engineering talent include:
Searching for jobs for a mechanical engineer?
If you’re searching for jobs in mechanical engineering including senior mechanical engineer jobs and mechanical engineer contract jobs, please send your CV to the email address below. A member of our support team will forward it to one of our specialist engineering consultants. Alternatively, you can view all of the latest part-time and permanent full-time engineering jobs on our vacancies page.
Newcastle Office
Telephone: +44 (0)191 222 0770
Email: marketingdept@nigelwright.com
Address: Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF, United Kingdom
Teesside Office
Telephone: +44 (0)1740 276 015
Email: marketingdept@nigelwright.com
Address: Wynyard Park House, Wynyard Avenue, Billingham, TS22 5TB, United Kingdom