Solidworks Design Engineer - Food Process Equipment in Cambridge

We are seeking an experienced Food Process Design Engineer to join a busy engineering environment on an initial 12-month contract, supporting the design, development and improvement of process equipment for the food production and beverage industries. The role will focus on developing and modifying equipment and equipment ranges used within food processing and beverage production, working from process requirements, P&IDs, technical data sheets, engineering specifications, existing designs and customer requirements.

The successful contractor must have proven hands-on experience using SolidWorks and be confident creating, modifying and reviewing 3D models, assemblies and engineering drawings. Experience within food process engineering, food manufacturing or beverage production is highly desirable, combined with a strong mechanical design background and a good understanding of how process equipment integrates into wider manufacturing systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and modify food process equipment and equipment ranges.
• Use SolidWorks to create and modify 3D models, assemblies and engineering drawings.
• Develop mechanical equipment designs from process requirements, P&IDs, technical specifications and customer requirements.
• Interpret P&IDs, process flow diagrams, engineering drawings and equipment specifications.
• Design equipment for use within food processing and beverage manufacturing environments.
• Modify existing equipment designs to meet different process, capacity and customer requirements.
• Review existing process equipment and identify opportunities for design improvement, standardisation and range development.
• Produce and update mechanical drawings, equipment layouts, fabrication drawings and technical documentation.
• Review existing SolidWorks models and assemblies, making design changes where required.
• Work closely with process, project, manufacturing and engineering teams to ensure equipment meets the required process specification.
• Consider equipment interfaces with pipework, pumps, valves, tanks, vessels, conveyors, instrumentation and other process equipment.
• Review third-party designs, 3D models and engineering information to ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Liaise with suppliers, fabricators and external design partners.
• Attend customer and manufacturing sites to understand existing process equipment, installation requirements and site constraints.
• Carry out or review site measurements and surveys to support equipment design and modification.
• Ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, maintainable and suitable for food and beverage production environments.
• Apply appropriate hygienic design principles to process equipment.
• Maintain accurate design records, technical documentation and revision information.

Essential Experience

• Previous experience as a Food Process Design Engineer, Process Equipment Design Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer, Equipment Design Engineer or similar.
• Proven experience designing, modifying or developing process equipment or industrial machinery.
• Strong practical experience using SolidWorks is essential.
• Ability to confidently create, modify and review SolidWorks 3D models, assemblies and engineering drawings.
• Strong mechanical engineering and equipment design knowledge.
• Experience working from P&IDs, process requirements, technical specifications and engineering drawings.
• Good understanding of food processing or industrial process systems.
• Ability to understand how individual items of equipment integrate into a wider food production or beverage process.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, fabrication and manufacturing methods.
• Experience working with suppliers, fabricators and third-party engineering designers.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work to technical specifications.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively within a contract environment.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within food processing, food manufacturing or beverage production.
• Experience designing food process equipment.
• Knowledge of hygienic design and equipment for washdown environments.
• Experience with major food manufacturing customers such as Nestlé, Weetabix or similar.
• Experience with process plant, production equipment or food manufacturing machinery.
• Understanding of CIP, hygienic processing, cleanability and contamination control.
• Experience with equipment incorporating tanks, vessels, pumps, valves, pipework, conveyors or dosing systems.
• Previous experience undertaking site surveys and equipment modifications.

The Ideal Contractor

This role would suit an experienced Food Process or Mechanical Design Engineer with strong SolidWorks capability and a good understanding of industrial process equipment. You will be comfortable taking information from P&IDs, process specifications, equipment data sheets and customer requirements and turning this into practical mechanical equipment designs using SolidWorks. A key part of the role will be understanding the relationship between process requirements and mechanical equipment design — ensuring equipment is not only mechanically sound but also suitable for its intended food or beverage manufacturing application. Experience with hygienic design, cleanability, washdown environments and food process equipment would be highly advantageous. You should also be confident reviewing designs produced by third parties, identifying technical issues and ensuring equipment complies with the required process and engineering specifications. The ability to work independently, communicate effectively with engineering and project teams, and coordinate with suppliers and external designers will be essential.