Position Summary:

At AW Bell, we believe in fostering an environment where technical excellence, innovation, and leadership converge to create a space where employees can thrive. The Design & Project Engineer role is a unique opportunity to play a central part in shaping the future of advanced manufacturing in the aerospace and defense sectors. By bridging design engineering and project engineering, you will not only help lead the successful introduction of new products but will also be instrumental in driving continuous improvement across every stage of product development and production.

The role full time, ongoing role involves extensive collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including customers, quality teams, production, and supply chain partners. You’ll gain exposure to diverse challenges and have the opportunity to grow within a highly technical, dynamic environment. We offer a supportive culture focused on continuous development, where your contributions are recognised, and your career trajectory can flourish.

Working in the aerospace and defense sectors provides you with the unique opportunity to contribute to high-tech, mission-critical components that play a vital role in national defense and technological advancement. Your work will make a direct impact on the safety, security, and success of global aerospace and defense initiatives.

Join a company that values your expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence. At AW Bell, you’ll find a place to grow, innovate, and make an impact on the future of aerospace and defense manufacturing.

Who we are:

AW Bell was established in 1952 and has evolved into an award-winning manufacturer and supplier of high-tech casting solutions globally.

Renowned for our ability to produce complex metal parts for some of the most demanding applications in aerospace and defence, as demonstrated by our involvement in the F-35 program (see video below), we are now set for significant growth with additional capabilities in titanium and non-destructive testing.

But don’t just take our word for it. We have been honoured with several awards which include:

2019: Finalist – Most Innovative Manufacturing Company

2020: Australian Space Awards – Finalist

2021: Australian Exporter of the Year – Manufacturing

2023: Victorian Governors Export Award for Manufacturing

2024: Northrop Grumman Strategic Supplier Excellence Award

What you'll be doing:

The key responsibilities of this role are:

Design Engineering: Lead the design and development of aerospace and defense components using CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD), ensuring manufacturability and compliance with industry standards (AS9100, ISO 9001).

New Product Introduction (NPI): Manage the NPI process, from design to production while meeting quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.

Metal Casting Simulation: Utilise tools to simulate metal casting processes, analyse results, and refine designs.

Project Execution & Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams, track project milestones, and drive alignment between internal teams, customers, and suppliers.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement: Implement robust quality control measures, support testing and validation, and drive continuous improvement initiatives in design and production.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the technical point of contact for customers, incorporating feedback into designs and ensuring high satisfaction.

Data & Reporting: Utilise analytics and project management tools to inform decision making, track progress and provide insights to senior leadership.

What you bring:

We welcome candidates with relevant engineering experience who are eager to grow into this role, even if they don’t meet every requirement.

Experience:

Experience in design engineering (CAD-based) and New Product Introduction (NPI) management, ideally within aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.

Proven track record of successfully delivering NPI projects from design to production.

Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and familiarity with design documentation and engineering drawing standards.

Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes.

Experience with Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools, particularly metal casting process simulation software (e.g., MAGMASOFT, ProCAST), is desirable but not essential.

Skills:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data collection, analysis, statistical software, and reporting tools (Power BI, Advanced Excel, Minitab, ERP systems, etc.).

Proficiency in the use of continuous improvement tools (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, etc.)

Personal Attributes

Problem-solving mindset with the ability to think critically and drive improvements.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with cross-functional teams.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure

Apply now:

Ready to make an impact in aerospace and defense? Click ‘Apply’ and submit a cover letter and current resume.

We invest in people and create career pathways for those who are driven, display the right values and contribute to a positive working environment.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and only applicants with right to work in Australia will be considered.

Applications close on the 27th April 2025, but we will we progressing applications as they are received, so don’t hesitate! Strictly no agencies, please.

Disclaimer: We encourage women to apply for these positions. Research shows that women are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every single requirement. If you are excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every aspect of the description we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.