At a Glance
- Tasks: Support innovative product design and development using mechanical engineering principles.
- Company: Join Oxford Product Design, a team of creative problem solvers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 25 days holiday, and training budget.
- Other info: Work in a historic barn studio with great transport links.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on groundbreaking products that improve lives.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 2-3 years experience.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 38000 £ per year.
To play a key supporting role in the design and development of innovative products at OPD.
ABOUT YOU
We’re looking for a junior product design engineer with at least 2-3 years of product development experience, preferably gained in a consultancy environment.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Apply mechanical engineering principles and first-principles thinking to support the development of technically robust product designs and engineering solutions.
- Create and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, technical drawings, and associated design documentation using SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software.
- Support prototype builds, testing activities, design verification programmes, and engineering investigations to evaluate and improve product performance.
- Select and apply appropriate engineering materials, including metals, polymers, elastomers, and composites, considering performance, manufacturability, cost, and project requirements.
- Contribute to the development of products designed for manufacture by applying knowledge of manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, moulding, casting, additive manufacturing, and assembly.
- Design and specify common mechanical components and systems, including fasteners, bearings, mechanisms, seals, structural parts, and electromechanical assemblies.
- Perform engineering calculations, analyses, and investigations to identify issues, evaluate design options, and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.
- Prepare technical reports, specifications, presentations, and design documentation, communicating engineering information clearly to colleagues, clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
- Manage assigned tasks and deliverables effectively, ensuring work is completed accurately, to a high standard, and within project timescales.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects, contributing engineering expertise throughout the product development process.
- Support a variety of client projects across different sectors, adapting quickly to new technologies, industries, and technical challenges within a consultancy environment.
- Participate in hands-on engineering activities including prototype assembly, workshop tasks, testing, fault-finding, product development builds, and validation activities.
- Support project delivery by contributing to design reviews, client meetings, technical discussions, and project planning activities.
- Build strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, and project teams, representing the company in a professional and collaborative manner.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
- Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, Design Engineering, or a related discipline.
- At least 2-3 years of product development experience, preferably gained in a consultancy environment.
- Hands-on engineering experience through projects, prototyping, testing, or workshop activities is highly valued.
- Use and knowledge of AI tools [Desirable].
- Familiarity with FEA, CFD, or other engineering simulation tools [Desirable].
- Experience with design for manufacture (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), and tolerance stack-up analysis [Desirable].
- Knowledge of product testing methodologies, experimental design, and root-cause investigation [Desirable].
- Experience designing products for regulated industries such as medical devices, aerospace, defence, or respiratory protection [Desirable].
- Experience working with electronics, sensors, motors, batteries, or electromechanical systems.
ABOUT US
At Oxford Product Design (OPD) we’re on a mission to make things better. Better for the products we design, the clients we work with, our people working here, our planet, and everyone we connect with along the way. Our exceptional team of professional problem solvers work with both start-ups on ground-breaking new ideas, as well as some of the world’s leading brands on category-defining products that improve how we humans live and work. As innovators we are curious, experimental, creative and passionate. But our pragmatic, precise approach and highly technical expertise mean that manufacturability and risk management are at the core of everything we do. We are based in a beautiful historic barn in Harwell, Oxfordshire. There is plenty of on-site parking and the studio is well connected by bus and rail links.
WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN
You’ll play a key part in our continued growth and work with great people in a supportive and flexible working environment. We offer a competitive salary, pension, health insurance and bonus scheme. You’ll get 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and paid leave on your birthday, wedding day, or if you’re buying a house or taking your child for their first day at school. You can purchase another 5 days of holiday a year, spread across 12 months, or sell back holiday at any point. After 3 years of working at OPD you can apply for an unpaid sabbatical of up to 3 months, increasing to 6 months after 6 years. You’ll be allocated a training budget of up to 5% of your annual salary. We’re a member of the cycle to work scheme which allows you to purchase a bike and related accessories tax free, we offer season ticket loans and have an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
Junior Product Design Engineer in Harwell employer: OPD (Oxford Product Design)
At Oxford Product Design (OPD), we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. Located in the picturesque Harwell, Oxfordshire, we offer a supportive environment with flexible working arrangements, competitive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, including a generous training budget and unique sabbatical options. Join us to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a positive impact through cutting-edge product design while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
Contact Details:
OPD (Oxford Product Design) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Product Design Engineer in Harwell
✨Join Product Management Meetups
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✨Show Off Your Product Sense
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✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
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If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at OPD (Oxford Product Design) through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Product Design Engineer in Harwell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Junior Product Design Engineer, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Junior Product Design Engineer position at OPD (Oxford Product Design). Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at OPD (Oxford Product Design)
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
