Project Engineer (Design & Certification)
Portsmouth, UK | Aerospace Manufacturing | Permanent
Our client is an established aerospace manufacturer designing and producing mission‑critical aircraft equipment used globally across commercial and defence applications. Operating in a highly regulated environment, they are driven by safety, quality, and engineering excellence within a rapidly evolving industry.
Due to continued growth, our client is seeking a Project Engineer to join their Design Engineering team, taking ownership of the development and certification of new aerospace products from concept through to final approval and delivery.
The Role
The Project Engineer will lead engineering projects across the full product lifecycle, acting as a key technical interface between customers, regulatory authorities, suppliers, and internal stakeholders. This role sits at the intersection of design, certification, manufacturing, and quality, ensuring technically robust and certifiable solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Translate customer and regulatory requirements into compliant technical solutions and certification strategies
- Support bids and sales activity through technical proposals, compliance matrices, and feasibility assessments
- Design and develop aerospace products using 2D/3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar)
- Lead certification activities, including test plans, qualification testing, and compliance documentation
- Collaborate closely with manufacturing to ensure design for manufacture, cost efficiency, and production readiness
- Provide engineering support to production and quality teams, including non‑conformance resolution and root cause analysis
- Coordinate with suppliers on development, qualification, and testing activities
- Participate in project reviews, customer meetings, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives
Required Experience & Skills
- Proven experience in design and certification engineering, ideally within aerospace
- Strong working knowledge of certification standards (e.g. EASA / FAA / CAA, DO‑160, CS‑27 / CS‑29)
- Solid understanding of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacture
- Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent)
- Experience with GD&T and detailed technical drawings
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast‑paced environment
Desirable Experience
- Root cause analysis methodologies (e.g. 8D, 5 Whys, Ishikawa)
- Lean / Six Sigma exposure
- Familiarity with PLM and ERP systems
- Experience working in Part 21 and/or Part 145 approved environments
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent)
Why Join?
- Opportunity to work on mission‑critical aerospace products
- Exposure to a high‑growth, international manufacturing environment
- Collaborative, engineering‑led culture
- Competitive benefits package, including pension, health schemes, and flexible working (9‑day fortnight)
