Design Engineer

Job Description:

Job Title:​ Design Engineer - Armoured Vehicles
Location:​ Coventry, UK
Core Hours:​ 08:00-16:35 (Mon – Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)
Vacancy Type:​ Permanent, full time and based on-site. Potential hybrid working but subject to operational needs.
Salary: ​circa £40,000-£45,000 (subject to experience)

At NP Aerospace, we don’t just design for innovation – we design to protect lives.

We’re looking for a Design Engineer to develop advanced, mission‑critical armoured vehicle structures and mechanical subsystems used across global defence platforms. This role sits at the core of our engineering capability: you’ll be creating robust, engineered solutions that survive the toughest operational environments, not maintaining legacy assets or producing stylised surface models.

You’ll thrive here if you enjoy practical, hands-on mechanical engineering, solving real‑world challenges, and taking ownership from concept through to production. Working within a highly technical environment, you’ll influence everything from welded fabrications and machined components to vehicle integration and manufacturability. If you’re passionate about engineering that has genuine purpose, this role offers that in abundance.

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What’s in it for you?

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At NP Aerospace, we know our success comes from our people. That’s why we invest in benefits that support your health, reward your hard work, and help you grow your career:

• Performance rewards – discretionary bonus opportunities

• Flex your day – flexible start and finish times (subject to manager approval and operational needs)

• Time to recharge – 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more through our Holiday Purchase Scheme

• Support for Defence – two weeks’ paid leave for Reservists and Cadet volunteers (including CFAVs)

• Future security – competitive pension scheme (9% combined employer/employee contributions)

• Peace of mind – life cover at 3x base salary

• Health & wellbeing first – BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan to support everyday health costs

• Grow with us – career development and advancement opportunities within a global business

• Supportive environment – a team culture built on innovation, collaboration, and purpose

What you’ll be doing:

In this role, you’ll take responsibility for designing mechanical systems and structures for armoured vehicles, from early concept layouts through to low‑ and medium‑volume production. You’ll produce detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies and drawings, focused primarily on fabricated, welded, and machined components.

You’ll work closely with Engineering, R&D, Fabrication and Manufacturing teams to develop practical, build‑ready solutions. You’ll manage BOMs and drawings through our PLM system (Windchill), support vehicle integration activity, and contribute to prototype builds, shop‑floor problem solving, testing and iterative design refinement.

This is a varied role in a specialist engineering team, offering hands‑on involvement across the full product lifecycle and the opportunity to meaningfully shape next‑generation defence technology.

What we’re looking for:

We’re looking for someone with strong mechanical engineering capability, practical problem‑solving skills, and a mindset geared towards real-world mechanical design. You’ll ideally have:

• ​A degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent hands‑on engineering experience
• ​Experience in defence, heavy automotive/off‑highway, aerospace, rail, industrial machinery or other high‑integrity engineering sectors
• ​Proficiency in 3D CAD — SolidWorks is essential, with experience in Creo (or other parametric CAD such as Inventor/NX) considered highly desirable
• ​A practical understanding of fabrications, weldments, machining and low‑volume manufacturing techniquesStrong drawing capability, including tolerancing and GD&T
• ​A hands‑on approach with the ability to troubleshoot, refine and validate mechanical designs
• ​Strong communication and collaboration skills across engineering and manufacturing teams
• ​Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (minimum 5 years residency in the UK)

About NP Aerospace

We’re a global armour technology company with over 40 years of defence expertise. From ballistic plates and bomb suits to armoured vehicles and helmets, our products are trusted by some of the world’s most respected defence organisations. Innovation, protection and performance are at the heart of everything we do.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.

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Data Privacy: NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.

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Please note: If successful, you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.