Aircraft Design Engineer / Mechanical Design Engineer

Job No: HLH29
Location: Stafford

About the Role:

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in the design and development of a family of next-generation light helicopters. As an Aircraft Design Engineer / Mechanical Design Engineer, you will join a high-performing team within a UK-based helicopter OEM, contributing directly to the creation of a clean-sheet civil rotorcraft platform.

You will be responsible for mechanical and structural design across multiple aircraft systems, using PTC Creo to generate detailed 3D models, assemblies, and drawings. The role spans from concept development through to detailed design, integration, and certification support—offering rare visibility across the full aircraft lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design aircraft structures, mechanical systems, and components for a new light helicopter platform.
  • Generate 3D models, assemblies, and engineering drawings using PTC Creo.
  • Perform engineering calculations and analysis to support design creation and validate mechanical solutions.
  • Collaborate with airframe, propulsion, systems, and manufacturing teams to ensure fit, function, and integration of mechanical designs.
  • Participate in concept development, trade studies, and weight and cost optimisation activities.
  • Create and maintain design documentation, including interface control documents, BOMs, and configuration data.
  • Support structural analysis teams by preparing and refining geometry for simulation.
  • Liaise with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure designs meet production and assembly requirements.
  • Contribute to design reviews, safety assessments, and certification documentation.

Requirements:

Essential:

  • Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Strong knowledge of light aircraft systems and relevant manufacturing processes.
  • Exceptional knowledge of engineering fundamentals, including materials, mechanics, and structural principles.
  • Proficiency with PTC Creo for 3D modelling and drafting.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to perform engineering calculations and analyses to support design decisions.
  • Working knowledge of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) in an aerospace context.
  • Good understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and drawing standards (e.g. BS8888 or ASME Y14.5).
  • Strong desire to design, test, refine, and achieve approval of your designs.
  • Self-motivated, confident, and a team player with excellent communication skills.
  • Supportive and cooperative personality, crucial for thriving within a close-knit, world-class team.

Desirable:

  • Experience working on rotorcraft or light aircraft platforms.
  • Passion for light aircraft and enthusiasm for creating new products.
  • Knowledge of aerospace certification requirements (e.g. CS-27 or FAR Part 27).
  • Familiarity with PLM systems and configuration control (e.g. Windchill, Teamcenter).
  • Hands-on experience with prototype or low-rate production environments.

What We Offer:

  • A unique chance to help shape the future of UK rotorcraft design through a credible new aircraft programme.
  • Involvement in a clean-sheet, full-aircraft development with visibility across design, integration, and certification.
  • A dynamic and supportive team culture with rapid decision-making and strong engineering influence.
  • Access to modern design tools, on-site test facilities, and highly skilled cross-functional teams.
  • Competitive salary and benefits.
Apply Now

Privacy Acknowledgment

Recruitment Privacy Notice

Hill Helicopters is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information.   This privacy notice describes how we collect and use personal information about you during the recruitment process.

What information do we collect?

In connection with your application for work with us, we will collect, store, and use the following categories of personal information about you:

  • The information you have provided to us with your application including your cv or resume
  • Any information you provide to us during an interview
  • Information you provide in relation to your right to work documentation

We may also collect, store and use the following “special categories” of more sensitive personal information:

  • Information about your criminal record
  • Information about your health and any medical condition

We collect this personal information variously from you, the candidate, our employer background checks, your named referees and information from publicly available sources such as the Internet. 

How will we use your personal data?

We will use the personal data that you have provided to assess whether you are suitable for the position for which you have applied.   We also need your personal data to communicate and to enter into an employment agreement with you if you are successful.

We will review your health information if we need to make adjustments to accommodate your condition, either in the recruitment process or in your employment if your application is successful.

We may carry out a criminal records check in order to satisfy ourselves that you have not been convicted of any offence that makes you unsuitable for the role.  We use a third party to conduct this search. 

Who has access to data?

Your information will be shared internally among our senior management team, members of the HR team and other interviewers involved in the recruitment process.

We will not share your data with third parties, unless your application for employment is successful. We may then share your personal data with the referees that you have provided to us and the third party that we use to carry out background and criminal record checks. Those third party providers are required to take appropriate security measures to protect your personal information in line with our policies.

How do we protect data?

We take the security of your data seriously. We have put in place appropriate and adequate technical and physical measures to prevent your personal information from being used or accessed without authority. We limit access to your personal information to those employees and agents who have a legitimate business need to know. We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected data security breach. We will notify you of any suspected breach where we are legally required to do so.

For how long do we keep data?

If your application for employment is unsuccessful, we will hold your data on file for twelve months after the end of the recruitment process. After this period, we will securely destroy your personal information.

If your application for employment is successful, personal data gathered during the recruitment process will be transferred to your personnel file and be kept for the period of your employment and thereafter consistent with our privacy policy.  

Your rights

You can at any time:

  • access and obtain a copy of any of your personal data that we hold;
  • ask us to amend incorrect or incomplete data;

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact a member of the HR team.


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About Us

We are building a revolutionary, private light helicopter and engine at our design and production centre in Stafford. The Hill HX50 satisfies a long-unfulfilled demand in the aviation market for a modern, stylish and affordable rotary aircraft. Its composite design, interior luxury and advanced powerplant makes supercar styling, performance and comfort available to helicopter buyers for the first time. The aircraft and engine are all British designed and built in Hill’s own factory. By eliminating expensive supply chains, Hill is dramatically reducing the cost of helicopter ownership and operation. The biofuel-ready engine and cellulose biowaste fuel solution introduce a commercially and technically achievable path to net-zero in general aviation. Reflecting the gap in the market that it fills, the response to the Hill helicopter has exceeded all expectations. HX50 has become the world’s fastest selling helicopter -- redefining the general aviation market globally.