Senior Mechanical Engineer (Aerospace)

Location: Based in Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Company

hirify.global is a defence and security company developing and maintaining systems for aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors, underwater systems, aviation, space, and civil security. This role sits within BlueBear, a hirify.global company.

What you will do

• Lead mechanical design and development across multiple aerospace programmes for unmanned systems.
• Provide technical leadership, conduct design reviews, mentor engineers, and lead multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Own CAD architecture, detailed design, drawing release, GD&T, and configuration control using SolidWorks.
• Lead integration of propulsion systems, payloads, and aircraft structures, including prototype and rig hardware build, integration, and testing.
• Conduct FEA, hand calculations, design trade studies, DFMEA, technical risk management, and engineering documentation.
• Support manufacturing, assembly, verification, flight testing, certification, customer engagement, estimates, planning, and work package delivery.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
• Extensive mechanical design experience in aerospace, UAV, defence, or a similar sector.
• Advanced SolidWorks or CATIA capability, including surfacing, assemblies, drawing generation, and GD&T, plus experience with a PLM/PDM system.
• Experience leading products from concept through manufacture and testing.
• Strong understanding of metallic and composite structures and manufacturing methods.
• Experience building, integrating, and testing prototype or rig hardware in a workshop, including fault-finding and rework on aircraft or test articles.
• Experience with BS8888, DFMA, FMEA, and engineering governance processes.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor engineers, and communicate effectively with customers and stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience with eVTOL, UAS, or advanced air mobility systems.
• Knowledge of airworthiness and flight test processes.
• Experience in a regulated defence environment and eligibility for UK security clearance (SC).

Culture & Benefits

• 30 days of annual leave.
• Workplace pension with an 8% company contribution.
• Private medical insurance, group income protection, and death-in-service insurance.
• Up to 5% share matching and enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave.
• Application screening may include baseline personnel security checks, national security vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights, and a security interview for preferred candidates.