Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
The advert says the job needs UK security clearance:
“Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.”
SC clearance usually needs five years of living in the UK, and DV clearance usually needs ten. If you have lived here that long, for example on a Student and then a Graduate visa, you may be able to get it. Most people applying from outside the UK cannot, so the highest likelihood we give this job is Unlikely. Ask QinetiQ whether they would sponsor you.
Unlikely
Sponsorship likelihood
The advert asks for security clearance
£52,425 – £58,250 / year
Salary
Within the market range
£46,800
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.1×
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2122 (96% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £46,800, and QinetiQ is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2122 Mechanical engineers Most likely code | £33,400 Clears | £37,400 Clears | £42,100 Clears | £46,800 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Package: £52,425 - £58,250 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits
Role ID: SF19903
Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at our Gosport site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.
The Role
As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer you will be leading the delivery of mechanical design solutions and taking ownership of delivery on complex tasks, requiring high integrity engineering and managing complex, unusual tasks involving significant challenges.
Day-to-day, you’ll will explore and test the problem space thoroughly, guiding others in generating their own hardware solutions and be prepared to lead and co-ordinate the reviews and testing of these ideas at design reviews and group critiques to delight customers.
Ideally, you will have gained significant and wide-ranging experience in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, CAD modelling using NX, configuration control using Teamcenter, and composites manufacture and/or design for composites manufacture.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Reviews: This role involves guiding others and coordinating subject‑matter experts through design reviews, including running pre‑reviews and chairing internal or lower‑level customer reviews, with the potential to progress to full Design Review Chair competency
- Delivery: This role plays a key part in live continuous improvement during delivery, leading and coordinating technical teams to produce optimised designs and clear, detailed reports
- Technical: This role involves providing confident advice and presentations to customers, stakeholders and peers, while driving high technical and professional standards through inventive problem solving and recognised best practice
Essential experience of the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer:
- We would expect the individual to display both knowledge and practical experience, can function without supervision on a day-to-day basis and be capable of providing guidance and advice to less experienced practitioners in the following competency areas. Including but not limited to:
- Hazard Identification, Safety Cases & Safety Management systems
- Applying Analytical, Simulation and Modelling Techniques
- Materials Selection, Coatings & Corrosion
- Concept Design & Development
- Significant experience creating technical drawings from 3D Models in Siemens NX (or similar CAD tools), working with suppliers, manufacturers, customers, and subject matter experts
Essential qualifications for the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer:
- HNC/HND/Degree in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design or Product Design (or equivalent experience)
- Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Product Design degree or equivalent (desirable)
- Should have achieved CEng level against the UK SPEC and have joined a recognised professional institution and maintaining CPD (desirable)
We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.
This role is 37 hours per week based at our Gosport site with an average site attendance of five days per week. Role primarily requires working on-site with limited opportunity for remote work. Adaptive working offered which includes flexible start and finish times and compressed hours options.
Haslar
Our facilities at the Haslar Marine Technology Park are state-of-the-art, including our ocean basin rotating arm, and marine towing tank, offering an unparalleled environment for testing and refining designs. Our marine technology offers our global customers a service to deliver constrained hydrodynamic model tests of surface ships, submarines, offshore structures, and renewable energy devices
Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.
UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Our Recruitment Process:
At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. One of our recruitment team will contact you.
Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.
Why Join QinetiQ?
As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.
As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.
Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq
Our Benefits
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
- Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
- Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
- We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
- Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community
#UKD
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with QinetiQ, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Mechanical engineers (SOC 2122) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~66k in sample- Offer £52,425–58,250
- Middle half £38,896–59,800
- Median £48,516
- Going rate £46,800
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–42,100
The range sits inside the market's middle half (£38,896–59,800), so this is typical pay for the occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at QinetiQAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. QinetiQ holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2122 going rate of £46,800. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.