Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (Full-Time/Part-Time considered) - IFPL

Job Posted: 6 March 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full or part time
• Salary: Dependant on Experience
• Industries: Aviation Engineering Manufacturing Mechanical and Electrical

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (Full-Time/Part-Time considered)

Location: Isle of Wight / hybrid option

Employment Type: Full-time/Part-time (employee or contract considered)

Reporting to: Head of Engineering

Salary: Dependant on Experience

About Us:

IFPL Group is a leading aerospace electronics company dedicated to delivering high-quality products to our customers. The company holds UK CAA Part 21J Design Organisation Approval (DOA) and Part 21G Production Organisation Approval (POA). These approvals authorise us to design, certify and manufacture aircraft equipment and modifications in accordance with applicable airworthiness requirements. This integrated capability enables us to take products from concept through certification and into series production, supporting both line-fit and retrofit aircraft programmes. With a strong focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, we have established ourselves as a leader in the industry. Due to retirement, we are seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to support the development of innovative equipment structures and enclosures for electronic products used in the aerospace cabin environment. This role focuses on creating robust, manufacturable designs and developing practical, certifiable methods of mounting the equipment to aircraft structures.

The role is offered with flexibility in working arrangements and may be structured as either part-time or full-time by agreement. It would suit a highly experienced engineer who enjoys hands-on design work and practical problem solving.

For the right candidate, the role offers a pathway into compliance verification activities within our Part 21J Design Organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical housings and assemblies for electronic products, primarily for aircraft cabin applications
• Create innovative mounting solutions for integration of equipment onto aircraft structures, such as seating.
• Produce concept designs through to detailed production drawings and release documentation
• Ensure designs are optimised for manufacture, assembly, reliability and cost
• Perform tolerance analysis, thermal considerations and structural assessments as required
• Liaise with electronics engineers to ensure effective electro-mechanical integration
• Support prototyping, testing and design verification activities
• Provide guidance on material selection and manufacturing processes
• Work with suppliers and manufacturing teams to resolve design and production issues
• Support certification and compliance activities where required (e.g. DO-160 considerations)
• Be the Mechanical Engineering subject matter expert in support of process improvements, or in-service issue resolution.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in mechanical design of electro-mechanical products
• Strong background in designing enclosures or housings for electronic equipment
• Experience developing mounting or installation solutions in constrained environments

Good working knowledge of:

• Injection moulding design
• Heat transfer and thermal management
• Machined components
• Design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA)
• Proficient in 3D CAD (e.g. SolidWorks or similar)
• Strong practical engineering judgement and problem-solving ability
• Ability to work independently and deliver to agreed timescales
• Clear and concise technical documentation skills

Desirable Experience

• Aerospace or aircraft interiors experience
• Experience working with certification-driven design environments
• Understanding of low-volume, high-reliability product development

Personal Attributes

• Pragmatic and solutions-focused
• Comfortable working with incomplete information at concept stage
• Detail-oriented with a strong quality mindset
• Collaborative but self-directed
• Commercially aware with a focus on practical implementation

Working Arrangement

• Full or Part-time hours (flexible by agreement)
• Employee or contractor engagement considered
• Hybrid / remote working possible with periodic on-site presence.