Design Engineer

SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER Turn complex engineering challenges into precision scientific products. Are you an experienced mechanical design engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, leading technical work and helping others develop? Join our team as a Senior Design Engineer and take designs from initial concept through production release and ongoing product support. You will work on precision mechanical assemblies, integrated instrument platforms, and cryogenic and vacuum-related equipment for scientific and research applications. Combining hands-on design with technical leadership, you will help create products that are robust, manufacturable, serviceable and aligned with customer needs. What you will do * Lead the design and development of complex mechanical products, assemblies and systems, translating customer and business requirements into practical engineering solutions. * Create CAD models, assemblies and engineering drawings, applying Design for Manufacture, Assembly and Service principles. * Use engineering calculations, tolerance analysis and FEA where appropriate to inform design decisions, assess risks and support testing and validation. * Maintain accurate drawings, bills of materials and product data, supporting engineering change and configuration control throughout the product lifecycle. * Work with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Service and suppliers to support prototype builds, introduce products into production and resolve technical issues. * Lead design reviews, check technical outputs and mentor apprentice, graduate and design engineers while promoting engineering best practice. What you will bring * A degree, HNC/HND or equivalent experience in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. * Strong CAD modelling and engineering drawing skills, alongside knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes and mechanical design principles. * Proven experience in mechanical design, product development or precision engineering, ideally involving complex assemblies, instrument systems or scientific equipment. * Experience with engineering calculations, tolerance analysis and basic FEA, plus an understanding of PLM, bills of materials, engineering change and configuration management. Experience using Creo and Windchill, or a comparable PLM system, is preferred. Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or progress towards professional registration, is desirable. Why this role? This is an opportunity to combine detailed mechanical design with broader technical responsibility across the product lifecycle. Reporting to the Mechanical Design Lead, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, support both new product development and sustaining engineering, and contribute to equipment used in scientific and research applications. We are looking for someone who is comfortable challenging the norm and proactively identifying ways to improve processes and increase efficiency. You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on how we work, bringing fresh ideas and turning them into practical improvements. If you enjoy tackling challenging designs, sharing your expertise and turning ideas into practical engineering solutions, we would like to hear from you. Benefits In addition to a competitive starting salary, QD Oxford offers flexible working hours and a half-day on Fridays. We also offer 25 days annual leave, private healthcare, a defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan, and a flexible benefits package that you can tailor to your own requirements. We also invest in our talented employees by supporting them in their ongoing career and development so that they reach their full potential. We care and work hard to provide a workplace where you can grow and learn. Please note that AI is not used during our recruitment process. Our interview process typically includes an HR screening call, MS Teams interview, followed by an onsite interview