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- Tasks: Design and develop innovative mechanical solutions for medical devices and scientific instruments.
- Company: Join Horizon Technology Consulting, a leading engineering consultancy in Cambridge.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Collaborate with electronics engineers and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team solving complex engineering challenges and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in mechanical design, advanced SolidWorks skills, and hands-on prototyping experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We're expanding our contractor network and looking for experienced contract Mechanical Design Engineers (10+ years) to work on technically demanding product development across medical devices, scientific instruments, and compact devices. This is hands-on, end-to-end mechanical work: architecture through detailed design, prototyping, analysis, and design for manufacture. You'll be working alongside electronics and embedded software engineers on integrated devices where the mechanical, electrical, and thermal aspects all interact.
What we're looking for:
- Core mechanical design: Advanced SolidWorks user, comfortable with complex assemblies, top-down modelling, mechanism design, and surfacing
- Architecture design of complex devices such as auto-injectors, inhalers, diagnostic instruments, cameras, or similar
- Integration of electronics into mechanical design, including thermal management and sealing
- Tolerance analysis and identification of critical chains for repeatable device function
- Hand calculations for quick decision making with limited information
- FEA (linear, non-linear, thermal), kinematic and dynamic mechanism analysis, and CFD (internal and external flows) in Ansys, SolidWorks Simulation, Abaqus, or equivalent
- Design for high volume manufacture, including injection moulding, sheet metal, and assembly methods
- Design for prototyping across machining and the various additive processes
- Practical workshop skills, hand tool use, prototype assembly, and the ability to switch between small (mm scale) and larger parts
Useful additional skills:
- Photorealistic rendering in Keyshot, SolidWorks Visualize, or similar
- Photoshop for product design work
- Concept and user-interaction sketching
- CNC programming, tool path generation, tool selection, and jigging for 3 to 5 axis machining
About you:
Senior, hands-on, and happy working as part of a small team on hard problems. Comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and pushing concepts through to working prototypes.
This is a hybrid role, where part of your time will be spent on-site in our Cambridge office.
Contract Mechanical Design Engineers employer: Horizon Technology Consulting Ltd
Contact Detail:
Horizon Technology Consulting Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Mechanical Design Engineers
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow engineers and industry contacts on LinkedIn or at local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a contract role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best mechanical design projects, especially those involving SolidWorks and complex assemblies. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with prototyping and design for manufacture, as these are key in our field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Mechanical Design Engineers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your advanced SolidWorks skills and any hands-on experience you have with complex assemblies. We want to see how you tackle architecture design and integrate electronics into mechanical designs, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application: Customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the role. Mention your experience with medical devices or similar products, and how you've handled tolerance analysis and critical chains in past projects. This helps us see you as a perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and make it easy for us to see your relevant experience at a glance. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to technical details!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from interested candidates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Horizon Technology Consulting Ltd
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
Make sure you're well-versed in SolidWorks and any other software mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your skills with complex assemblies, top-down modelling, and mechanism design. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've worked on mechanical design from architecture to prototyping. Highlight your practical workshop skills and how you've integrated electronics into your designs. Real-world examples will help you stand out as a candidate who can tackle hard problems.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about tolerance analysis, FEA, and thermal management. Brush up on your hand calculations and be prepared to explain your thought process when making decisions with limited information. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to work under pressure.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with electronics and software engineers, be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional teams. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated to solve complex issues, as this will show that you’re a team player who can contribute to integrated device development.