Lead Mechanical Engineer

ETA Greenpower is a technology-led company developing advanced electric motors for applications across the marine, aerospace, ground vehicle and defence market sectors. We are a small growth stage business built around significant intellectual property in slotless electric motors. We are developing this technology into high-performance products that deliver compelling advantages in applications where power density, efficiency, reliability, controllability and compactness are important. ETA Greenpower is at an exciting stage of development. We are continuing to develop technology which reduces the industry reliance on overseas raw materials while developing and releasing robust products suitable for volume manufacture.

ETA Greenpower is looking for an experienced engineer to lead and grow our mechanical engineering team, and to take ownership of the mechanical aspects of our electric motors. Reporting directly to the CTO, the successful applicant will lead a team of engineers and technicians and will be responsible for all mechanical engineering from concept through to production. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will remain technically close to the products while providing direction and development to the engineering team. You will be expected to make engineering decisions, solve difficult mechanical problems, establish appropriate engineering processes and ensure that our designs can be manufactured reliably and economically. As ETA Greenpower continues to develop, you will have an important role in establishing our manufacturing capability through a combination of the creation of an internal team and by establishing and managing an outsourced manufacturing supply chain.

We are looking for an experienced mechanical engineer who combines deep technical capability with practical engineering judgement and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the Mechanical Engineering strategy and lead technical delivery of ETA Greenpower's products.
• Lead the mechanical design and development of electric motors from early concept through to production.
• Establish and maintain design standards and engineering practices.
• Provide leadership and support to the mechanical engineering team, ensuring appropriate allocation of work.
• Review and approve mechanical designs, calculations, drawings, specifications and processes.
• Act as the senior mechanical engineering authority within the business, working closely with the CTO and wider engineering team.
• Lead, mentor and develop the existing mechanical engineering and technician team and drive growth of that team.
• Set clear technical objectives and priorities.
• Develop engineering capability as the company grows.
• Identify future skills and resource requirements.
• Build a culture of engineering ownership, technical rigour and practical problem solving.
• Recruit additional engineering and manufacturing capability as required.
• Support customer technical discussions and product/application development.
• Represent mechanical engineering in design reviews, project meetings and customer engagements.
• Translate customer and application requirements into practical mechanical engineering solutions.

Design and Development

• Develop designs optimised for the demanding requirements of high-performance electric machines, including power output, thermal performance, NVH, durability, manufacturability and serviceability.
• Work closely with simulation team and test engineers to deliver solutions and maintain a high level of quality.
• Establish appropriate mechanical engineering standards, specifications and processes.
• Ensure designs meet applicable customer, regulatory and industry requirements.
• Support risk management, design reviews, FMEA and verification activities.
• Manage change control, design release and issue resolution.
• Ensure appropriate application of engineering analyses.
• Create a strong ethos of DFM and product development.
• Ensure lessons from testing and manufacture are incorporated into subsequent product development.

Manufacturing & Industrialisation

• Take ownership of the transition from engineering prototypes to volume manufacture.
• Develop the company's approach to manufacturing and industrialisation.
• Establish appropriate manufacturing processes, tooling, inspection and assembly methods.
• Support business strategy on the most appropriate manufacturing approach.
• Support the procurement team in the development and management of relationships with manufacturing partners.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar discipline -or- Chartered Engineering status from IMechE recognised experience.

Required Skills

• At least ten years' experience in mechanical engineering and product development.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design and development principles.
• Experience taking products from concept through prototype, testing and into manufacture.
• Strong understanding of design for manufacture and assembly.
• Experience working directly with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Experience leading a team of engineers and technicians.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, combined with practical hands-on engineering ability.
• Experience of working in a fast-moving development environment where the engineering solution is not always defined in advance.

Desirable Skills

• Electric motor mechanical design.
• Slotless or other unconventional electric machine architectures.
• Fatigue and durability design.
• NVH design and thermal management.
• Aerospace, automotive or marine industries.
• Outsourced manufacturing and supply-chain development.

Personal Attributes

• Takes ownership.
• Enjoys understanding why something works, not just following established processes.
• Is comfortable moving between CAD, analysis, prototype hardware, the workshop and the manufacturing supplier.
• Works collaboratively – recognises that the best solutions require close integration across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Delegates effectively and exhibits a supporting leadership style.
• Understands that innovative technology has to become a reliable, manufacturable product.
• Builds capability and wants to develop people, processes and manufacturing.
• Communicates clearly, is able to challenge constructively and presents ideas openly.