Lead Design Engineer

Lead Design Engineer
Location: Bristol (Hybrid Working Available) Employment Type: Permanent Company: Morson PraxisOverview
Morson Praxis is seeking an experienced Lead Design Engineer to join our growing engineering team in Bristol. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of complex aerospace engineering programmes, providing technical leadership across the full product lifecycle—from concept and preliminary design through detailed design, manufacture, certification, and in-service support.Working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, you will lead engineering teams, engage directly with customers and key stakeholders, and ensure the successful delivery of innovative, compliant, and high-quality engineering solutions across multiple concurrent projects.
Key Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of aerospace structures, systems, and installations across multiple programmes.Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to design engineers and multidisciplinary project teams.Manage engineering work packages, ensuring delivery against quality, cost, and schedule objectives.Act as the primary technical interface with customers, suppliers, certification authorities, and internal stakeholders.Review and approve engineering designs, CAD models, drawings, calculations, and technical documentation.Ensure compliance with aerospace regulations, customer requirements, airworthiness standards, and internal engineering processes.Chair design reviews and technical governance activities, supporting informed engineering decision-making.Coordinate activities across design, stress analysis, systems engineering, manufacturing, certification, and project management disciplines.Support business development activities through technical input into bids, proposals, resource planning, and risk assessments.Drive continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing engineering processes, standards, tools, and best practices.Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, promoting technical excellence and knowledge sharing.Lead the resolution of complex engineering challenges throughout design, manufacture, testing, and operational support.

Essential Skills & Experience

Degree qualified in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.Significant experience within aerospace design engineering, including leading technical teams on complex engineering programmes.Demonstrable experience delivering engineering projects throughout the complete product lifecycle.Strong understanding of aerospace design principles, engineering governance, and airworthiness requirements.Proficiency with industry-standard CAD packages such as CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, Creo, or equivalent.Experience producing, reviewing, and approving engineering drawings, models, reports, and technical documentation.Strong knowledge of configuration management and engineering change control processes.Proven ability to identify, manage, and mitigate technical risks while resolving complex engineering issues.Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.Ability to manage multiple priorities across concurrent programmes within a fast-paced engineering environment.

Desirable Experience

Experience supporting commercial and/or military aerospace programmes.Knowledge of EASA Part 21, CS-25, UK CAA, and military airworthiness regulations.Experience working with aerospace OEMs and Tier One suppliers.Understanding of metallic and composite structures, systems integration, and aerospace manufacturing processes.Exposure to design approval and certification activities.Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or actively working towards professional registration.

Key Competencies

Technical LeadershipStrategic & Systems ThinkingCustomer & Stakeholder ManagementProgramme & Resource ManagementProblem Solving & Decision MakingTeam Leadership & MentoringQuality & Regulatory ComplianceCommercial Awareness

Security Requirements
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Security Clearance may be required depending on programme requirements.
What Morson Praxis Offers

Opportunity to lead engineering activities on high-profile aerospace programmes.Exposure to a diverse range of aerospace platforms and technologies.Collaborative, innovative, and technically challenging engineering environment.Excellent career progression and leadership development opportunities.Flexible and hybrid working arrangements where programme requirements allow.Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

About Morson Praxis
Morson Praxis is a specialist engineering consultancy delivering high-value engineering solutions across the aerospace, defence, and advanced engineering sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams support customers throughout the entire product lifecycle, providing expertise in design, analysis, certification, programme delivery, and technical consultancy. We pride ourselves on solving complex engineering challenges and delivering excellence for some of the industry's most demanding programmes.