Senior R&D Engineer (Fixed-Term) in Wales

Convatec is entering an exciting new phase of its R&D journey with plans to establish a new state‑of‑the art facility in Manchester. Located within the Citylabs SciTech campus, the site is intended to become a key hub within our global R&D network, bringing together advanced analytical research, global laboratory testing, quality control, engineering, science, regulatory expertise and health innovation capabilities. The facility will strengthen collaboration with Manchester's world‑class life sciences ecosystem and support our mission of pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch.

Position Overview

The role of Senior R&D Engineer within Convatec Continence Care New Product Development Team is both a varied and demanding role. This Engineer will be part of an experienced international team developing products from idea conception, design development and product testing through to process development, design validation and product launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Design and Development of medical devices from Concept to launch.
• Through collaboration with multifunctional teams, lead discussions to resolve technical /scientific challenges to support new product development of Continence Care medical devices from concept to launch phase; define the scope of work to direct discussions to identify practical and theoretical solutions.
• Identifying & generating new Intellectual Property (IP), translating novel ideas into valuable & protectable IP and evaluating the IP landscape.
• Direct creation of new concepts via 3D models & assemblies in CAD/CAM software (Solidworks).
• Close collaboration with the cross functional process development team utilising Design for Manufacturing and Design for Assembly methodologies to develop robust designs suitable for manufacturing processes including plastic injection moulding, thermoforming etc.
• Develop ideas and designs with a focus on usability and user centric design.
• Resolve concept ideas to practice through prototyping and / or other rapid simulation techniques.
• Scope plan and execute / coordinate testing of prototypes.
• Using existing templates, record and report experimental data. This includes reporting of the test procedure, presentation / analysis (including statistical analysis, e.g. Design of Experiments, etc.) of data and formulating conclusions and recommendations as a basis for further discussion and research.
• Communicate technical data including conclusions and recommendations to the wider team, make proposals and recommendations to progress the projects forward based on the analysis of this data.
• Provide technical input to support the design control process, including contributing to / authoring design history file (DHF) documentation and material specifications.
• Lead design for manufacturing and design for assembly discussions.
• Maintain overall expertise by keeping updated on engineering advancements through publications, patents, university / industrial contacts and vendor discussions.
• Work effectively and proactively engage with key stakeholders to manage expectations and deliver on commitments.
• Understand needs and requirements across multiple functions, manage relationships to ensure effective execution.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and support colleagues to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Role models behaviours appropriate to our values.
• Maintain compliance with HSE regulations.
• Maintain compliance with QMS.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• 5+ years of experience in an engineering discipline with knowledge of mechanical / design engineering.
• Experience in an R&D medical devices environment.
• Understanding of the ISO 13485 and 14971 standards, and FDA regulations for design controls.
• Ability to use CAD software packages (SolidWorks).
• Demonstrable experience in an industrial engineering discipline with knowledge of mechanical / design engineering is essential.
• Comfortable with human body discussions and designing solutions of intimate parts of human body.
• Experience in a variety of different projects; demonstrable ability to work on a number of teams and projects in tandem.

Preferred:

• Experience in designing and developing plastic moulded components.
• Experience of Process Validation activities (FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, PQ activities).

Qualifications/Education

Qualified to degree level in a relevant engineering related subject preferably Mechanical or Design Engineering.

Travel Requirements

Position may involve travel up to 25% of the time, mostly within Europe but overseas travel is expected. Most trips will include overnight travel.

Working Conditions

Hybrid working (min. 2 days on site). 12 month fixed term contract.

Equal opportunities

Convatec provides equal employment opportunities for all current employees and applicants for employment. This policy means that no one will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, nationality, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, genetic predisposing characteristics or any other basis prohibited by law.