At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop impactful mechanical components for cutting-edge defence technology.
- Company: Join Minerva Defence, a fast-growing leader in defence tech with a small, dedicated team.
- Benefits: Enjoy share options, private health cover, generous leave, and AI tools to boost your work.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and relocation support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in defence technology and see your designs in action within months.
- Qualifications: Degree in mechanical engineering and experience in CAD modelling required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This is genuinely consequential engineering work that will have battlefield impact within 6 months of design. Minerva Defence is one of the fastest-growing defence technology companies in Europe. We create the software, hardware and networking that make unmanned systems effective on the modern battlefield, all ideated, designed and manufactured end-to-end in the UK, and in active use today. We are deliberately low-profile: a team of around 60, small in headcount and outsized in effect. We look for people who are not just talented but genuinely committed to the work, the team, and the purpose behind it. This is the kind of work you will be proud of. Mechanical design here carries real weight: you will own significant work packages, make decisions with full context, and contribute across a complex, multidisciplinary product. The gap between designing something and seeing it in production is weeks, not years.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production release.
- Produce CAD models and engineering drawings to the required standard, applying appropriate tolerancing, material selection and DFM/DFA principles so designs can be manufactured, assembled and supported at scale.
- Perform engineering analysis and calculations to support and validate design decisions.
- Work directly with manufacturing, assembly and quality teams to resolve technical issues and support build activities.
- Participate in design reviews, presenting work clearly and responding to technical feedback.
- Manage engineering changes and maintain accurate configuration control in line with company processes.
- Support prototyping, testing and design iteration as products develop.
- Contribute to engineering standards and processes as the team scales.
Requirements
- Minimum: Degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrable experience in mechanical design, including CAD modelling and engineering drawings.
- Practical understanding of tolerancing, materials selection and manufacturing processes.
- Eligible for UK security clearance: UK citizen or five or more years of continuous UK residency.
- Able to work on-site for the majority of the working week.
Preferred
- Proficiency in SolidWorks or a comparable parametric CAD package.
- Familiarity with GD&T and BS 8888 drawing standards.
- Experience in aerospace, defence, automotive, or another high-reliability engineering environment.
- Experience with FEA or other simulation tools.
- Comfortable building, testing, and iterating physical prototypes to validate designs.
- Experience supporting or leading design reviews and engineering change processes.
Benefits
The job is demanding enough, so we try to take the everyday pressures off your plate. The benefits are built around that, starting with a genuine stake in what we are building.
- Share options vesting over three years, so you own a real piece of it.
- Bupa private health, fully funded from day one.
- 6% employer pension contribution.
- 25 days leave plus bank holidays, and properly enhanced cover for both parents.
- Enterprise level AI tooling, with as many tokens as you need to accelerate your work.
- Relocation support if you are moving to join us, or a home office budget if you work remotely.
The full detail comes with your offer.
Mechanical Design Engineer in Worcester employer: Minerva Defence
Minerva Defence is an exceptional employer, offering Mechanical Design Engineers the chance to engage in impactful engineering work that directly influences modern battlefield technology. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we provide generous benefits including share options, private health care, and a supportive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to professional growth and the opportunity to see your designs come to life in weeks rather than years makes us a unique and rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Engineer in Worcester
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Minerva Defence.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Minerva Defence love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Minerva Defence and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Engineer in Worcester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Minerva Defence and the Mechanical Design Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Minerva Defence
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Minerva Defence.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Minerva Defence.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Minerva Defence, making you a more appealing candidate.
