Ricardo
Contractor - Steering Systems Engineer
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Overview
Role: Contractor – Steering Systems Engineer
Location: Leamington Spa
Role ID: 2026-3407
Pushing Boundaries
A World leader in propulsion engineering from concept to production
Ricardo is a trusted engineering partner specialising in complex propulsion, driveline, and energy systems. We work with customers globally to deliver end-to-end solutions from initial design through to full production. For over 110 years, we have been at the forefront of world changing engineering innovation, partnering with many of the world’s most ambitious organisations to improve performance, push boundaries, and accelerate progress.
Headquartered in Shoreham by Sea (UK), Ricardo brings together more than 1,000 experts and delivers in excess of 200 major programmes globally at any given time. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com
The Role
The successful candidate will support the development, integration, and validation of steering systems across a range of vehicle engineering projects. These projects span multiple vehicle types and applications, including defence and commercial platforms, with powertrains ranging from conventional to electrified systems.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team to deliver robust, high-performance steering solutions that meet customer requirements for performance, durability, safety, and cost. The role requires a practical, detail-oriented engineer who can contribute across the full development lifecycle, from concept through to validation and production support.
You will collaborate closely with Design Engineers, CAE/Simulation teams, test and development engineers, and Programme teams, contributing to the successful delivery of vehicle systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the design, development, and integration of steering systems (mechanical and electric power steering).
- Contribute to the development of system requirements, specifications, and performance targets.
- Ensure designs meet applicable standards, regulations, and customer requirements.
- Assist in maintaining technical integrity and system performance across the development lifecycle.
- Deliver steering system engineering activities from concept through to validation and production support.
- Translate requirements into engineering solutions, supporting system design and integration.
- Support identification and mitigation of technical risks and issues.
- Support coordination with suppliers of steering components and systems.
- Contribute to effectively apply structured engineering approaches to resolve design and test issues.
- Support root cause analysis using methods such as:
- 8D
- Fault tree analysis
- Contribute to continuous improvement of steering system design and validation processes.
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Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or Systems Engineering
- Demonstrable experience in vehicle or systems engineering roles
- Steering or chassis system development
- Vehicle testing or validation activities
- Requirements, DVP&R, and engineering documentation
- Experience with commercial or off-highway vehicles is beneficial
Security Requirements
- Willing and able to work on UK defence projects, including roles requiring security clearance (up to and including Secret where applicable)
Key Competencies and Experience
Experience in vehicle systems engineering, with specific experience in:
- Steering systems (EPS, mechanical steering)
- Steering system fundamentals and geometry
Good understanding of:
- Vehicle dynamics principles (steering feel, response, stability)
- Chassis systems (suspension, brakes – awareness level)
Familiarity with:
- CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, NX, Creo), GD&T and engineering drawings, DVP&R, FMEA, and engineering documentation
- Awareness of vehicle development lifecycle from concept to production
Ability to:
- Support delivery of engineering tasks within project timelines
- Contribute to validation and test activities
- Good understanding of requirements management and system integration
Strong with:
- Data analysis and engineering reporting
- Clear and effective communicator within engineering teams
- Strong team player with ability to work across disciplines
- Customer- and delivery-focused mindset
Desirable
Industry Knowledge
- Knowledge and understanding of:
- Steering system types (hydraulic, EPS, steer-by-wire)
- Suspension systems and vehicle dynamics interactions
- Experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, or defence vehicle engineering
- Awareness of automotive development standards and processes
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Tools & Methods
- Exposure to:
- Simulation tools (e.g., ADAMS, vehicle dynamics tools – beneficial)
- Data acquisition and test analysis tools
- Familiarity with:
- DFMEA, 8D, and structured problem-solving approaches
- Systems engineering tools (requirements management desirable)
Soft Skills
- Proactive and adaptable approach to problem-solving
- Willingness to learn and develop technical expertise
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced engineering environment
Working here
You will be warmly welcomed into our workplace where every voice matters. We are diverse thinkers and doers, coming together to create a culture of inclusion. We will support you to find your place.
We will encourage you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact through the projects you work on. Your knowledge and desire to bring about change will be invaluable in helping deliver innovative solutions that support communities across the globe in becoming safer and more sustainable.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion statement
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours. We have an ambitious diversity, equality, and inclusion approach as explained here. We value diversity; recognising that a more diverse workforce creates a richer and more varied working environment. Diversity also drives innovation, by allowing us to offer our clients the best consultancy service that we can. As part of our commitment to engage positively and pro-actively with all our employees and to ensure an inclusive culture, we are a recognised as a 'disability confident' employer.
Next steps
Once you have submitted your application a member of our Recruitment Team will be in touch. Please be aware that the timing can vary dependent on the volume of applications that we receive for each role and in some cases, we may start to review applications prior to the closing date.
Ricardo is a Disability confident employer please advise the recruitment team via recruit@ricardo.com if you require any adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process.
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