Mechanical Engineer in Buckingham

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Hooper Quinn for a skilled and highly motivated Mechanical Design Engineer to join our team. Our ideal candidate will be a practical and creative solver of mechanical engineering problems, specialised in combining a deep understanding of engineering fundamentals with experience in diverse industries to accelerate a range of projects to effective solutions. Working semi-autonomously alongside a team of accomplished engineers, the successful candidate will take responsibility for the design and development of a range of new products and technologies from multiple sectors. Projects may include advanced energy systems, next-generation propulsion technologies, complex product development programmes, and high-performance mechanical systems. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives on variety to join a dynamic and high-performing technical team backed by a rich and supportive culture.

Term: Permanent

Location: On site in Buckinghamshire

Salary: £45,000 - £55,000

Positions available: 2

Start date: Immediate

Reference: V2601

PACKAGE:

• Competitive salary
• 8% pension
• 36 days’ annual leave (including Bank holidays)
• Performance bonus scheme
• Comprehensive healthcare cover (extendible to dependants)
• Cycle2Work scheme

Development & Growth:

• Significant opportunities for professional development
• Exposure to diverse, cutting-edge projects across multiple industries
• Mentoring and support from senior engineers

Culture, Team, & Environment:

• Quarterly team days
• Annual company ski holiday
• A critical role within a thriving, ambitious, and innovative organisation
• Work alongside a close-knit team of exceptional people who excel in their fields
• Supportive working environment in an inspiring facility situated in the Buckinghamshire countryside

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the design and development of complex mechanical systems, assemblies, and components from concept to production
• Create detailed CAD models and 2D manufacturing drawings to top-tier industry standards
• Conduct engineering calculations and FE simulations to validate structural integrity, thermal performance, and system dynamics
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and design iterations, working closely with suppliers and in-house build and assembly teams
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes, balancing performance, cost, and lead time considerations

Project Execution & Collaboration:

• Manage mechanical design work packages, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, budget, and schedule
• Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, software, and systems engineers to develop integrated solutions
• Represent the mechanical team discipline in client meetings, design reviews, and project workshops
• Support preparation of technical documentation, including BoMs, test plans, and design reports

Quality & Process Improvement:

• Maintain high engineering standards and ensure compliance with relevant regulations, codes, and client specifications
• Contribute to internal process development, toolchain improvement, and knowledge sharing
• Support risk assessments, DFMEAs, and design sign-off procedures
• Continuously identify opportunities for product and process optimisation through data-driven design refinement
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, and become an ambassador for the wider company’s values

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• UK Bachelors or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical, Automotive Engineering, or similar
• >5 years of relevant industry experience (following graduation). Example industries include: motorsport (F1), aerospace, product development, future fuels and powertrains, medical IoT devices, and marine propulsion and ocean robotics.
• Working experience of CAD software (preferably SolidWorks) and PLM software (e.g. Teamcenter, 3DExperience)
• Confident with basic hand calculations, component sizing, and a working understanding of FEA
• A fundamental understanding of engineering materials (metallic/composite/plastic), fabrication processes and their application, as well as a variety of manufacturing techniques and when to employ them
• Strong familiarity with fundamental mechanical systems (e.g. bearings, shafts, casings, hydraulics, pneumatics)
• Hands-on engineering experience (e.g. prototyping, testing, building mechanical systems) is desirable.
• Ability to understand project plans quickly, use task management platforms to manage workloads autonomously, and work efficiently to deadlines
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively both in a team and independently
• Comfortable working directly with clients and communicating complex engineering concepts clearly.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please submit the following to careers@hooperquinn.com, using ‘V2601 – Mechanical Design Engineer’ as the subject of your email:

• CV
• Cover letter outlining your suitability for this role and your motivation for joining Hooper Quinn
• Responses to the Application Exercises detailed below

You are welcome to include relevant work samples/portfolios in support of your application.

IMPORTANT: Applications will not be considered if any of the three required documents listed above is missing. Only applications submitted to the above email address will be considered.

Application Exercises:

These short exercises are designed to give us an insight into how you think, communicate, and approach challenges, and equally, to give you a feel for the types of situations you may encounter in this role. Please ensure your responses reflect your own reasoning and experience. Submissions that appear to have been generated primarily by AI tools will not be considered. Please take no more than 90 minutes to complete the exercises.

EXERCISE 1: Concept Design – Compact Actuation System

A client approaches Hooper Quinn with the requirement to design a compact mechanism to deploy a sensor mast from within a small autonomous vehicle. The mechanism must extend a sensor mast vertically from a stowed position inside the vehicle.

Requirements:

• Linear extension: 120 mm
• Maximum load: 200 N
• Deployment time: < 5 seconds
• Available envelope for mechanism: 250 × 150 × 100 mm
• Power supply: 24V DC

The system may be subject to:

• Vibration and occasional shock loads
• Outdoor operating conditions
• Repeated actuation cycles during testing and operation

Task: Please describe a concept design for the actuation system and mechanism that could achieve this. (Note: we are interested in your thinking and reasoning rather than a complete design solution.) Your response should include:

• The type of actuator you would propose and the reasoning behind your choice
• The mechanism used to convert actuation into linear motion
• A conceptual layout of the mechanism (a simple sketch is welcome but not required)
• The key engineering considerations that would influence your design
• Any technical risks or potential failure modes you would investigate early in the design process

You may make any reasonable engineering assumptions necessary in order to answer the question. Please limit your response to 1–2 pages. Sketches or diagrams may be included if helpful.

EXERCISE 2: Working at Pace

Engineering projects at Hooper Quinn often move quickly, with tight timelines and evolving technical challenges. Please describe a situation where you had to deliver engineering work under significant time pressure. Include:

• The context of the project
• The actions you took to maintain quality while working quickly
• The outcome

Maximum: 250 words

EXERCISE 3: Culture & Values

In your own words, please select one of the following values and 1) describe what that value means to you and how you put it into practice in your day-to-day life; and 2) give a relevant example from your professional experience where you have demonstrated that value:

• Tenacious Curiosity
• Efficient Agility
• Proactive Responsibility

Maximum: 300 words

Thank you for taking the time to complete these exercises. We appreciate the effort you put into your application and look forward to learning more about you.