Design Engineer Jobs in Leeds | SimWest
Design Engineer Jobs in Leeds | Specialist Machinery Recruitment
Take the Next Step in Your Engineering Career with SimWest Engineering Recruitment
Leeds and West Yorkshire are at the heart of the UK’s machinery manufacturing sector. From special purpose machinery and robotics to high-speed packaging and food processing systems, the region offers some of the most technically challenging and rewarding Design Engineering roles in the country.
For engineers working in mechanical design, electrical design, or controls engineering, Leeds offers strong career opportunities across machinery manufacturing, automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
SimWest Engineering Recruitment specialises in helping Design Engineers find new opportunities with engineering manufacturers across Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield, and the wider Yorkshire region.
Why Partner with SimWest for Your Next Design Engineer Role in Leeds?
Finding the right role in machinery design requires more than just a job board search. Many of the best positions with top-tier Yorkshire manufacturers are never advertised publicly.
As a candidate, working with SimWest means:
- Industry Expertise: We speak your language. We understand the difference between designing a static component and a complex, high-speed automated system.
- Exclusive Opportunities: Access "hidden" roles within specialist machinery, automation, and capital equipment sectors.
- Career Guidance: With over 17 years of experience in engineering recruitment, we provide honest feedback on your CV, portfolio, and salary expectations.
- Local Knowledge: e know the Leeds engineering landscape intimately—from the big-name OEMs to the innovative "hidden gem" SMEs.
Design Roles We Recruit in Leeds
We specialise in engineering roles that require a deep understanding of how things move, automate, and manufacture. We are currently looking for candidates in:
Mechanical Design Engineers
Specialising in machinery systems and mechanisms. We look for proficiency in:
- CAD Platforms: SolidWorks, Inventor, Solid Edge, or Creo.
- Skills: Mechanism design, pneumatics, hydraulics, structural analysis, and BOM creation.
Electrical Design Engineers
Focusing on the electrical architecture of complex machinery. Key areas include:
- Software: EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, or See Electrical.
- Skills: Control panel layout, electrical schematics, and safety circuit design.
Controls & Automation Engineers
The "brains" behind the machine. We recruit for experts in:
- Systems: Siemens (TIA Portal/S7), Rockwell (Studio 5000), Mitsubishi, or Beckhoff.
- Skills: PLC/HMI programming, motion control, and on-site commissioning.
Senior Design Engineer / Design Manager
Leading engineering design teams and overseeing complex machinery development projects.
Engineering companies across Leeds typically work within sectors such as:
Special purpose machinery manufacturing Packaging machinery Food processing equipment Robotics and automation systems Industrial production equipment Material handling systems
These businesses rely on experienced Design Engineers to support product innovation and machinery development.
Salary Insights for Design Engineers in Leeds & Yorkshire:
- Mid-Level Engineers: £35,000 – £45,000
- Senior Engineers: £45,000 – £55,000
- Lead Engineers / Design Managers: £55,000+
Benefits packages can also include:
- Hybrid working options
- Early Friday finishes
- Annual bonuses
- Private healthcare
- Career progression into senior or lead roles
How SimWest Helps Design Engineers Find Jobs in Leeds
We treat your job search with the confidentiality and professionalism it deserves.
- Initial Consultation: We discuss your technical background, preferred CAD tools, and what you’re looking for in your next challenge.
- Tailored Matching: We only introduce you to companies that align with your technical skills and career goals.
- Interview Preparation: We provide deep insights into the company’s projects, culture, and interview style.
- Offer Negotiation: We handle the "awkward" conversations to ensure you get the package you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions for Candidates
1. Do I need a degree to be considered? While many of our clients look for BEng/MEng qualified engineers, we also highly value candidates with strong HNC/HND backgrounds and proven "hands-on" machinery design experience.
2. I live in Sheffield/Huddersfield—is Leeds a viable commute? Absolutely. Many of our partner companies are based in industrial hubs with excellent links to the M62 and M1, making them accessible from across West and South Yorkshire.
3. Will you send my CV to companies without my permission? Never. We operate with total transparency. Your CV is only submitted to a client after we have discussed the role with you and you have given us the green light.
Looking for Design Engineer Jobs in Leeds?
If you are a Mechanical Design Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer, or Controls Engineer considering new Design Engineer jobs in Leeds or across Yorkshire, SimWest Engineering Recruitment can help.
We regularly work with engineering companies looking for experienced design engineers to support machinery development and automation projects.
You can: