Job Description:

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to BPSS and Export Control checks (including a criminal record check) 

LOCATION: Belfast

GRADE: B6

TYPE: Full time 

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Financial Reward: Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options

• Work / Life Balance: 36 hour week, flexible working around core hours and Friday afternoons off, flexible working

At Airbus in Belfast, we are pioneering the future of sustainable aerospace. We are looking for an experienced Lead Design Engineer to provide technical guidance and leadership across a broad spectrum of design engineering activities and ongoing design support of the manufacturing build.

As a Senior Design Engineer, you will own the end-to-end engineering lifecycle - leading the development of advanced aircraft structures and systems installations from initial concept and detailed design through to final production and active shop-floor build support.  

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEAM:

• Ensure structural and systems designs comply strictly with certification standards, prepare engineering change/modification proposals, and provide expert guidance on repairs for in-service aircraft and components.

•  Partner closely with internal manufacturing departments to resolve production challenges and provide formal engineering dispositions for manufacturing non-conformances/defects.

• Direct and coach junior design engineers, lead trade studies to drive key design decisions, and deliver robust technical outputs to required quality standards and project schedules.

• Act as an authoritative internal design decision-maker, prepare project progress reports, and represent the engineering department in technical meetings, customer discussions, and supplier reviews.

ABOUT YOU:

Essential criteria:

• Possess an HNC (or equivalent) in an engineering-related subject alongside a minimum of 3 years’ relevant design engineering experience.

• Knowledge and hands-on experience in metallic and composite structures and/or systems installation design, utilizing CATIA V5 (or similar 3D CAD toolsets) and standard engineering IT software.

• Proven ability to analyze and solve technical problems effectively, with full accountability for delivering your own tasks to time, cost, and quality parameters.

• Articulate communicator able to convey technical information clearly, with a strong ability to collaborate effectively across local site and broader group-level teams.

While applicants only need to meet the essential criteria, relevant desirable experience within your specific discipline may be used to shortlist candidates.

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge in Fibersim and/or Enovia .

• Experience in supporting concessions.

• Wing structure knowledge.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Closing date:  8th October 2026

Please note that meeting the mandatory criteria listed above guarantees consideration for the role, but does not ensure progression to the interview stage. In the event of a high volume of qualified applications, the selection panel reserves the right to shortlist and progress candidates who additionally meet one or more of the preferential (desirable) criteria. 

ABOUT US
Join Airbus Belfast - Pioneering Sustainable Aerospace for a Safe and United World

As a premier centre of excellence for advanced aerostructures, our Belfast team drives the complete wing lifecycle - from concept design to in-service support - for the world’s leading aerospace manufacturer.  To support major multi-million-pound site investments and expanding operations, we are recruiting talented engineers to scale world-class aerospace innovation into the future.

What We Do

• Global A220 Wing Nerve Center: Our specialist engineering teams drive the continuous design and technical development of the advanced composite A220 wing. With over 1,100 firm orders from 30+ global customers and 500+ aircraft flying across 25 international operators, Belfast is accelerating production ramp-ups to meet record global demand. By leveraging cutting-edge digital tools, advanced composite materials and automated manufacturing processes, our engineers are actively advancing performance, passenger experience and structural capabilities for the world's most popular single-aisle aircraft in its class.  

• Iconic Commercial Programmes: Our expertise spans the entire Airbus commercial family, delivering critical innovations from the record-breaking A350-1000 fuel tank integration that enabled the longest flight in history, to the primary structural backbone for the A350F- the world’s most eco-efficient cargo aircraft. 

Shape the Future of Flight To fuel our long-term growth, we are expanding our engineering team in Belfast and seeking specialists across key disciplines, including structural design, stress analysis, aircraft integration and materials & processes. If you are ready to work with cutting-edge technologies and define the next generation of aerospace, apply today. In Belfast, we make it fly! 

HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU

Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need and we’ll always do our best to accommodate your request. 

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments for the selection process – you can share this with your Talent Acquisition Partner if you are invited to interview. Examples may include (but not exclusive to) accessible facilities; auxiliary aids; room layout, etc. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Airbus UK will offer an interview to any applicant that considers themselves to have a disability or long-term condition under the Equality Act 2010 and meets the minimum criteria of the role (as set out in the job advert). To ‘opt in’, just select the option during your application submission and your application will be considered accordingly.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

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