Mechanical Systems Engineer

An innovative optical technology company based in Oxfordshire is seeking an experienced Mechanical Systems Engineer to join its growing R&D team. This role will focus on the architecture, integration, and system-level design of a novel adaptive optical platform. You will work across mechanical, optical, and analytical disciplines to ensure that complex mechanical systems, sub-systems, and mechanisms come together into a robust, high-performance product. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a next-generation lens technology that is set to transform the way we see the world.

About the Company: This company’s expertise sits at the intersection of ophthalmics and optics. They develop novel ophthalmic solutions for use across optical systems, AR/VR/XR, and machine vision applications. Recognised as trusted experts in adaptive lens technology, they partner with leading global consumer electronics and technology companies to develop new solutions that optimise how we see the world. The company has developed a novel adaptive lens system that has the potential to transform visual performance in modern AR/VR/XR technologies. This breakthrough has generated significant interest across the consumer technology sector. As a result, the company is now entering the next phase of its R&D programme, scaling its technical capabilities and seeking talented engineers to join the team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast-growing technology company, contribute to cutting-edge R&D, and play a key role in the development of a new technology with global impact. Above all, it is an outstanding place to work, combining innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.

The Role: This is an exciting period of investment and growth. The company is scaling its team and facilities to support ambitious R&D programmes and is seeking a Mechanical Systems Engineer with a strong background in system architecture, integration, and verification. You will take ownership of overseeing the lifecycle of the mechanical systems, ensuring that they integrate seamlessly with one another. Working closely with mechanical design engineers, optical engineers and finite analysis engineers, you will bridge the teams; managing requirements, analysing and mitigating technical risks, and trace the system requirement through to the final product. Ultimately translating the user and stakeholder needs into technical specifications to help deliver well-integrated, reliable products and manufacturing solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and own the mechanical system architecture for the company’s adaptive lens platform.
• Define, document and trace system requirements, from user and stakeholder requirements into clear mechanical specifications and the final product.
• Lead the integration of sub-systems, mechanisms, and components into a cohesive mechanical system.
• Act as the primary interface between design, analysis, optics, and manufacturing teams.
• Ensure system-level considerations are correctly defined.
• Identify, analyse and help lead technical mitigations. Support system verification and validation, including test planning and interpretation of results.
• Provide guidance on materials selection and manufacturing strategies at a system level.
• Contribute to design reviews and technical decision-making across the programme.

Requirements:

Education: Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

Essential:

• Proven experience of taking a holistic view in delivering complex mechanical systems from concept through to production.
• Strong understanding of mechanical system architecture, interfaces, and integration.
• Proven experience in identifying, analysing, and mitigating technical risks throughout the product development lifecycle (e.g. dFMEA).
• Experience working with precision assemblies containing mechanisms and moving parts.
• You will have, and be able to demonstrate, a broad knowledge and experience of manufacturing processes, joining techniques and assembly methods.
• Strong knowledge of materials and their properties, particularly polymers and metals.
• Proficiency in CAD (essential), ideally SolidWorks.
• Experience working within regulated product development environments, ideally ISO 13485, including documentation and design-for-risk-management.

Desirable:

• Solid knowledge of tolerance analysis, stack-ups, and GD&T at a system level.
• Experience in opto-mechanical systems, including optical alignment, mounting strategies, and sensitivity to tolerances.
• Exposure to systems engineering methodologies, including requirements management and verification planning.
• Practical experience with FEA or the ability to critically assess analysis outputs.
• Experience supporting pilot builds and transition to scalable manufacture.
• Ability to balance technical detail with big-picture system thinking.
• A flair for problem-solving, concept generation, and structured decision-making.