Design Engineer jobs in the UK

Live design engineer roles plus reconciled 2026 salary data by region.

1758 live design engineer roles

Design Engineer salary by region (2026)

RegionSalary range (median)
London
43 live adverts
£52,190 – £85,760 (£65,000 · 25th–75th pct)
Scotland
46 live adverts
£40,338 – £67,500 (£59,990 · 25th–75th pct)
Northern Ireland (indicative)
16 live adverts
£35,000 – £72,500 (midpoint £55,000)
North West
164 live adverts
£45,000 – £62,500 (£55,000 · 25th–75th pct)
East of England
166 live adverts
£45,801 – £64,746 (£52,500 · 25th–75th pct)
South East
221 live adverts
£43,500 – £60,000 (£52,500 · 25th–75th pct)
Yorkshire
97 live adverts
£42,500 – £55,000 (£50,250 · 25th–75th pct)
North East
24 live adverts
£45,000 – £53,500 (£50,000 · 25th–75th pct)
Midlands
288 live adverts
£43,285 – £57,500 (£49,524 · 25th–75th pct)
South West
143 live adverts
£40,000 – £55,000 (£47,500 · 25th–75th pct)
Wales
37 live adverts
£39,000 – £50,000 (£43,516 · 25th–75th pct)

Methodology: medians reconcile live advertised UK salaries for this role and region; 25th–75th percentiles are shown only where at least 5 live salaried listings back them — they are measured or omitted, never interpolated. Rows marked indicative are anchored to our curated 2026 baseline ranges until enough live data accrues. Listings advertising an implausible annual figure (a mislabelled hourly or daily rate) are excluded rather than converted, because converting one means guessing the hours behind it.

Market view. Sector and toolchain drive pay: special-purpose machinery, defence and energy design roles pay above general fabrication drawing-office work. Chartership (CEng via IMechE or IET) and ownership of designs from concept through validation are the strongest levers.
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FAQs

What does a design engineer earn in the UK?

Indicatively £35,000–£60,000 permanent, with senior/principal design roles in defence and energy exceeding this.

Which CAD skills pay best?

3D parametric design (SolidWorks/Inventor/Creo) with FEA or design-for-manufacture experience typically out-earns 2D draughting.

Does chartership matter for design engineers?

Yes — CEng status (IMechE/IET) is a consistent differentiator in senior design and consultancy pay.

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