Principal Design Engineer / Assistant Chief Engineer - Engine & Hybrid Design - Ricardo Prague s.r.o.

The Role

To be a part of a Global Mechanical Design team, responsible for leading the design and development of a wide range of engine products from light duty gasoline to off highway engines working in any market sector (pass car, CV/OH, marine, clean energy, aerospace, defense), from clean sheet to production.

The Principal Design Engineer / Assistant Chief Engineer - Engine & Hybrid Design will support business development to win Engine projects and then take responsibility to lead a Mechanical Design team to deliver a particular mechanical system or complete product. You will need to manage and work effectively with other Engineering disciplines to develop system level solutions and to implement designs that satisfy component, system, product and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Be able to define a complete engine by having a good understanding of the functional and commercial requirements of all engine systems, a deep understanding of the market sector, technologies and trends and have a systematic approach to technology/architecture selection based on attributes and client requirements.
• Support the development of future Engine products and services by identifying opportunities to innovate and suggest R&D topics for further study through technology and market research.
• To follow the mantra of “Win it, Deliver it”. This will involve technically supporting the business development team to showcase Ricardo’s technical competence and then determine project scope, timing, delivery approach and resource requirements. This will require customer communication both remotely and/or face to face.
• The creation of innovative mechanical concepts and schemes, often from clean sheet, for the design and development of Engine products in any market sector application.
• Lead a project team who carry out Mechanical Design work such as 2D layouts, 3D CAD modelling, stress and mechanical design calculations, FMEAs, 2D detailing and tolerance stacks.
• Lead, participate and approve Mechanical Design reviews.
• Quality of technical work undertaken by the project team whilst meeting time and cost targets.
• Create professional technical reports for Engineering projects and present to the client.
• Work closely with assembly, manufacturing and process engineers to ensure products are designed for manufacture and assembly.
• To check and approve detail 2D drawings (including GD&T) of components suitable for prototype and volume production.
• Approve assembly documentation to support prototype and production builds (e.g. Bill of Materials and Process Assembly Instructions).
• Support the initial build of products, testing of prototypes and validation testing programs.
• Coaching and mentoring of Design Engineers in Engine technology, design techniques and departmental processes, but does not have management responsibility for personnel matters.
• Follow, maintain, and develop Ricardo’s Mechanical Design processes.
• Undertake process improvement activities to develop and implement design best practice guidelines.
• Keeping up to date and dissemination of:Latest manufacturing techniques and drawing standards.
• Latest technology trends.
• Latest developments in design tools.
• Able to travel to support Ricardo’s worldwide client base.

Key Competencies and Experience

• Degree-qualified Mechanical Engineer (or equivalent in Mechanical, Physics, Aerospace or Automotive Engineering)
• Proven experience designing engine components, assemblies, and products across development programmes
• Strong application of engineering principles to develop and guide optimal powertrain solutions, with the ability to apply first-principles thinking across both established and novel challenges
• Strong knowledge of engine subsystems, including cranktrain, cylinder block/head, ancillary drive, cooling, timing drive, valvetrain, lubrication & CCV, fuel, intake, exhaust systems and vehicle packaging, with ability to define and approve subsystem designs
• Experience with engine component manufacturing processes from prototype to production
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycle, from requirements capture through to design validation
• Experience creating and reviewing DFMEA and assessing design risk
• Ability to analyse FEA, CFD, 1D and MBD results and apply findings to improve designs
• Proven delivery of engine projects from clean sheet design through to hardware development, meeting quality and milestone targets
• Understanding of project management methods in a delivery-focused environment
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a detail-focused approach
• Confident, proactive and self-motivated, able to work independently and within teams
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively in written, verbal, and customer-facing settings
• Experience working in fast-paced, matrix organisations and managing competing priorities
• Ability to prepare and present design concepts and technical proposals to stakeholders and customers
• Able to handle confidential information appropriately
• Willingness to take ownership and deliver against business goals and objectives

Desirable Competencies and Experience

• Understanding of other engineering functions, including analysis, simulation, hydraulics, development, test, assembly, and control systems
• Exposure to or interest in powertrain electrification
• Awareness of intellectual property (IP), including experience with patent searching and review
• Experience using 3D CAD systems such as CATIA V5/V6, Creo, or NX
• Familiarity with PLM systems such as Windchill or similar platforms
• Experience managing Engineering Change Control (ECN) processes and related documentation
• Automotive industry experience is preferable but not essential