Development Engineer (entry level) in Ashford

A global medical technology organisation is expanding its R&D Functional Engineering team in Kent. The group focuses on new product introduction and regulatory remediation, supporting a broad portfolio of critical-care medical devices used worldwide.

This is a role for someone comfortable operating in a highly regulated environment, where structure, documentation and sound engineering judgement are essential. You’ll contribute to longer-term, complex engineering programmes, often spanning several years. The work is detailed and process-driven, involving full lifecycle ownership rather than short-term sustaining changes.

You’ll work closely with experienced engineers, systems specialists and a dedicated CAD team, contributing to design decisions, risk management and verification activity. This is not an entry-level position and not suited to engineers looking for purely CAD-focused roles.

• Supporting new product development and MDR remediation programmes
• Contributing to design changes across existing medical device portfolios
• Coordinating prototyping with external suppliers and global manufacturing sites
• Participating in risk management activities (DFMEA / PFMEA, mitigation planning)
• Supporting verification testing and associated technical documentation
• Reviewing and red-lining engineering drawings in collaboration with CAD specialists
• Working within established quality systems and design controls

You’ll be an engineer with solid post-graduate experience who can take ownership of defined workstreams while working effectively within a structured R&D environment.

• A Mechanical Engineering degree (or closely related discipline)
• Several years’ post-graduate engineering experience within a regulated industry
• Medical device experience (strongly preferred), with an understanding of regulatory expectations
• Exposure to risk management, verification and quality documentation
• Experience with plastic components and manufacturing processes (e.g. injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding)
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks, particularly for drawing review and design input

Engineers from other regulated sectors may be considered where there is clear evidence of comfort with risk-based thinking, structured processes and documentation-heavy projects. A calm, professional approach to complex engineering challenges.

The culture is supportive, inclusive and focused on delivering safe, high-quality products.

Hybrid working — 2 days per week on-site at the Kent design centre. Standard office hours with sensible flexibility. No long-hours culture, but a shared responsibility to meet critical project demands.

If you’re an engineer looking to deepen your experience in medical device R&D, working on meaningful, regulated products with real patient impact, this role offers long-term technical development and stability.