At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop innovative products across various sectors.
- Company: Sagentia Innovation, part of Science Group plc, known for its cutting-edge product development.
- Benefits: Permanent full-time role with opportunities for growth and client interaction.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with potential travel opportunities across Europe and the USA.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by working on exciting projects from medical to consumer products.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Product Design with relevant industry experience.
The predicted salary is between 41400 - 50600 £ per year.
Are you an enthusiastic Product Developer that thrives on applying your skills to the development of diverse products across a range of market sectors? Sagentia Innovation, a division of Science Group plc, is expanding its mechanical engineering team to support our continued growth in delivering world leading product development expertise to our clients.
We have:
- A multitude of exciting projects in the medical, industrial, defence and consumer sectors
- An energetic and widely experienced product design and mechanical engineering team
The Opportunity
We are looking for an exceptional, hands-on product developer to join our group of world-class employees. If successful, you will have the opportunity to work with clients from start-ups through to global market leaders. You will have a passion for technology and will use a combination of innovation, flexibility and technical excellence to meet and exceed our customers' often demanding requirements and tight development timescales.
You will work across the product development lifecycle, including:
- Requirements development and qualification to inform new concept generation activities
- Technology validation through early-stage risk reduction prototyping
- Detailed product development and ultimately transfer to manufacture
A Day in the life
You will have the opportunity to employ your product development skills on one or more projects simultaneously across sectors. Projects range from a couple of months to a couple of years. Many projects require a multidisciplinary approach involving our electronics, software, applied science, and of course, the mechanical and product design teams you will be part of. This role focuses on the creation and delivery of new product designs to our clients. Recent examples include:
- Development of core delivery engine technology for consumer beverage dispensing
- Development of a laparoscopic surgical robotic system: control interfaces, robotic manipulators, and surgical instruments
- Development of a topical cream dispenser in the personal care space
- Improvements in the efficiency of negative pressure wound therapy systems through design innovation
Opportunities
Develop your experience in managing projects or work packages to tight timescales throughout the full product development lifecycle. You should have strong interpersonal and communication skills—confidence and capability in a client-facing role. There are opportunities for business development by providing pre-sales input and interfacing directly with clients under the guidance of our business development team. Work will mainly be at our Sagentia innovation offices in Harston, Cambridge, with potential travel to other Science Group sites and client locations in Europe or the USA. We operate in a fast-paced environment solving a variety of industry problems.
Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
- A degree (2.1 or above) in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or a relevant engineering discipline plus industry experience
- Development experience in new products and platforms, ideally in a consultancy or commercial environment
- CAD design experience (preferably with SolidWorks and/or CREO)
- Analytical skills including tolerance analysis, FEA, Multiphysics modelling (COMSOL), and first principles calculations (using MATLAB and MATHCAD)
- Enthusiasm to work in multidisciplinary teams across diverse sectors
- Experience contributing to projects to tight timescales
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills—confident and capable in a client-facing role
Additional (Optional) Skills
- Project management experience
- Experience developing products under medical regulatory constraints
- Mechatronic design, especially for complex electromechanical products such as robotics
- Designing complex plastic parts for moulding
- Design for manufacture and assembly
Product Development Consultant in Saffron Walden employer: Science Group
Science Group in Cambridge is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and a collaborative work culture. As a Junior IT Service Desk Analyst, you will benefit from hands-on experience in a dynamic Microsoft 365 environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement while being part of a supportive team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Consultant in Saffron Walden
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Science Group!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Science Group would be by your initiative!
✨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.
✨Leverage Your University Network
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 Science Group through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Consultant in Saffron Walden
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Development Consultant, 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 Product Development Consultant position at Science Group. 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 Science Group
✨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.