Senior CAD Engineer - Autodesk Inventor / AutoCAD - Skid & Containerised Systems
Senior CAD Engineer – Autodesk Inventor / AutoCAD – Skid & Containerised Systems
Job details
Job type
- Full-time
Full job description
About Bluemethane
Bluemethane’s mission is to prevent a billion tonnes of methane emissions from water. Our technology measures and captures dissolved methane and prevents methane emissions—turning a harmful greenhouse gas into a clean‑energy opportunity.
Role Purpose
Own the end-to-end CAD and mechanical design process for Bluemethane’s skid-mounted and containerised methane recovery and measurement systems, from concept through detailed design, fabrication support, assembly, testing, and delivery. This is a hands-on senior CAD engineering role requiring advanced Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD capability, practical experience with fabricated process equipment, and clear, proactive communication with internal engineers, fabricators, suppliers, and project stakeholders.
The successful candidate must be able to independently produce production-ready 3D models, assemblies, drawings, BOMs, and revision-controlled design packages for real fabricated equipment, not just perform basic drafting tasks.
- Complete skid designs including structural frames, piping, and equipment layouts, optimised for manufacturability and transport.
- Accurate 3D models, assemblies, drawings, layouts, isometrics, and P&IDs produced using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD, aligned with process, fabrication, and installation requirements.
- Design compliance with applicable codes (ASME, BS, ISO) and Bluemethane’s internal standards.
- Fabrication-ready packages: BOMs, drawings, and specifications delivered to suppliers.
- Quality assurance: Supervise skid manufacturing and assembly to ensure adherence to design and safety standards.
- Operating & Maintenance Manuals prepared for handover to clients.
- Clear design communication, including documented assumptions, decisions, risks, open issues, technical queries, and revision explanations.
- Traceable design reviews and documentation maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
Responsibilities
- Concept to delivery: Translate process requirements into skid designs, manage design iterations, and oversee fabrication and assembly.
- 3D CAD modelling: Develop detailed assemblies and components in Autodesk Inventor; apply Tube & Pipe tools for complex piping systems.
- Drawing production: Generate fabrication-ready drawings, general arrangements, layouts, P&IDs, isometrics, BOMs, and revision-controlled design documentation using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD.
- Standards application: Ensure designs meet ASME, BS, and ISO codes for pressure vessels, piping, and structural supports.
- Manufacturing oversight: Liaise with fabricators, monitor build quality, and resolve design queries during construction.
- Documentation: Prepare BOMs, datasheets, and comprehensive O&M manuals for delivered systems.
- Collaboration: Work with process, controls, and experimental engineers to integrate mechanical and electrical requirements.
- Communication: Provide clear, explicit, and proactive updates on design progress, risks, blockers, assumptions, changes, and open actions without waiting to be prompted.
- Continuous improvement: Incorporate lessons learned from pilot builds and client feedback.
Essential skills & experience
- 5+ years in mechanical/process design for skid-mounted systems or packaged equipment.
- Advanced professional proficiency in Autodesk Inventor is mandatory, including complex assemblies, detailed part modelling, fabrication drawings, BOMs, and revision-controlled drawing packages.
- Strong professional proficiency in AutoCAD is mandatory; AutoCAD Plant 3D experience is highly desirable for layouts, P&IDs, piping documentation, and drawing coordination.
- Strong understanding of design standards and codes (ASME, BS, ISO) for piping and pressure systems.
- Experience producing P&IDs, GA drawings, and isometrics.
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes for skids and ability to supervise quality during fabrication.
- Ability to prepare Operating & Maintenance Manuals and manage documentation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proactive and explicit communication style. Must be able to document design assumptions, decisions, risks, changes, open issues, and supplier/fabricator clarifications clearly and early.
Candidates whose experience is mainly limited to basic 2D drafting, junior CAD support, product design without fabrication ownership, or limited Autodesk Inventor exposure are unlikely to be suitable for this role.
Nice-to-have
- Knowledge of HAZOP considerations in design.
- Familiarity with process equipment for water/wastewater systems.
- Exposure to fabrication and assembly practices for modular systems.
- Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) will be considered a plus.
Qualifications
- Degree in Mechanical/Process Engineering or equivalent experience.
Working Mode
Based at Bluemethane’s Cranfield office; hybrid work possible with on-site presence for design reviews, fabrication supervision, and pilot integration.
Application guidance
Please make sure your CV clearly shows your years of professional Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD experience, examples of skid-mounted, modular, containerised, piping, or fabricated equipment projects, the types of drawings and documentation you personally produced, and your role in taking designs from concept through fabrication, assembly, testing, or commissioning.
Applications should also include evidence of working directly with fabricators, suppliers, or multidisciplinary engineering teams, including examples of how you handled technical queries, design changes, open actions, and project communication.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £42,000.00-£48,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Cranfield MK43: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Education:
- Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:
- Autodesk Inventor: assemblies & fabrication drawings: 5 years (required)
- AutoCAD/Plant 3D: layouts, P&IDs, piping/fab: 3 years (required)
- Skid-mounted, modular, packaged, or containerised systems: 3 years (required)
- Fabrication-ready drawing packages: 1 year (required)
- Pressure Vessels: 1 year (preferred)
- Vacuum Systems: 1 year (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
- 50% (preferred)
Work Location: In person