Lead Mechanical Engineer – Rotating Electrical Machines

At GE Vernova's Rugby site, we engineer some of the most technically demanding rotating electrical machines in the industry — equipment that underpins critical energy infrastructure around the world. As a Lead Mechanical Engineer, you'll take a leading role in the structural and mechanical design of large electrical machines, applying advanced finite element analysis (FEA) and prototype testing expertise to ensure our machines perform reliably across the most demanding operating environments.

This is a role for an experienced mechanical engineer who understands the unique challenges of rotating machine design — someone who combines rigorous analytical capability with practical engineering judgement and the confidence to collaborate across customer, manufacturing, and project teams to deliver real-world solutions.

You'll lead and contribute across the full mechanical design lifecycle — from requirements capture through to prototype testing and design documentation. Specifically, you will:

• Lead mechanical machine design — specify, design, and engineer the mechanical aspects of large rotating electrical machines; interpret and resolve contractual and technical requirements in a timely, quality-focused manner; and create and submit design documentation to communicate and record design progress.
• Drive structural analysis and simulation — lead detailed analytical and finite element analysis (FEA) programmes using ANSYS/Workbench to assess mechanical stress, fatigue, and structural integrity across a range of machine designs and operating conditions.
• Improve machine performance and competitiveness — lead design model and prototype test programmes to characterise and improve noise and vibration behaviour; investigate new materials and manufacturing methods to enhance machine competitiveness and long-term reliability.
• Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams — work closely with customers, third parties, electrical engineers, project management, sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, and quality teams to understand requirements and deliver effective mechanical design solutions.
• Contribute to engineering excellence — apply and develop knowledge of relevant industry standards and engineering design processes; identify opportunities to advance mechanical engineering tools, methods, and practices across the team.

You're an experienced mechanical engineer with a strong background in structural analysis and rotating machine design, proven FEA capability, and the confidence to lead technical programmes and work effectively with customers and cross-functional partners.

Required

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline. A formal qualification is relevant to the depth of analytical and design work required in this role; however, we are equally interested in your total experience and professional achievements — significant, proven experience in a rotating electrical machines engineering environment will be considered.
• Significant experience in mechanical engineering for rotating electrical machines, including structural design, analysis, and development.
• Proven expertise in 2D and/or 3D finite element analysis (FEA) for mechanical designs, including stress and fatigue analysis, using tools such as ANSYS/Workbench.
• Strong working knowledge of rotating electrical machines — their mechanical engineering challenges, structural characteristics, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards including International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 9000, BS EN, and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60034.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Willingness to travel and work flexibly in line with project and business requirements.
• Legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom (visa sponsorship availability will be assessed based on business and legal requirements).

Preferred

• Sole British Nationality and current or previous Security Check (SC) clearance (certain project activities may require this — see note below).
• Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software such as Teamcenter or SAP.
• Experience in scheduling, planning, and programme management in an engineering environment.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills with a track record of delivering results in cross-functional team environments.

🔒 Security Clearance Note: Some aspects of this role may involve access to information or facilities requiring UK government Security Check (SC) clearance. Candidates who hold or have previously held SC clearance, or who are eligible to obtain it, are encouraged to apply. SC clearance requires sole British Nationality. If you are unsure whether this applies to your situation, please speak with the recruiter.

GE Vernova is a global energy technology company on a mission to electrify and decarbonise the world. Our Rugby site is a centre of expertise in power conversion and rotating machine technology — working on programmes that directly support the energy transition at scale. You'll join a team of specialists who combine deep technical knowledge with a genuine drive to innovate, and you'll have the space to lead, learn, and grow.