At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative lab automation systems and solve complex engineering challenges.
- Company: SPT Labtech creates cutting-edge products that enhance scientific discovery and improve health outcomes.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical insurance, a generous pension plan, and an annual bonus.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusivity are core values; we support all employees' diverse needs.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team making a real difference in human health through technology.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in engineering with 8+ years in product development, preferably in high-tech sectors.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Senior Product Development Engineer
Hybrid SPT Labtech Full time
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Description
We are looking for a talented and driven engineer to help maintain state-of-the-art world-leading laboratory systems.
In this pivotal role, you will be the engineer others look to when a problem is hard, when a design decision has downstream consequences, or when someone needs to hold the thread across mechanical, electronic, and software domains. The role is primarily office and lab-based at our Melbourn site.
What you will be doing
- Investigating and resolving field and manufacturing issues across the sample management product range, taking technical ownership from root cause through to implemented solution
- Leading design changes and product improvements, managing the process from concept and feasibility through to design verification and production handover
- Working collaboratively with electronics, firmware, software, manufacturing, and quality engineers, acting as the mechanical lead and systems integrator across those disciplines
- Contributing to design reviews, risk assessments, and design for manufacturability activities
- Supporting the service and applications teams with technical guidance on complex field issues
- Identifying and championing longer-term improvement opportunities within the product portfolio
About us:
Based in Melbourn, near Cambridge, UK, SPT Labtech creates innovative products that transform how scientists work. For nearly two decades, our multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and innovators have delivered industry-leading solutions in liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management, accelerating scientific discovery and improving human health outcomes.
Our strength lies in collaboration: we work closely with our customers to understand real‑world lab challenges, creating personalised, cutting‑edge tools that truly make a difference.
Want to be part of a team that’s making a difference to human health?
About you:
You’ll ideally be a mechanically-focused engineer with the technical breadth and intellectual curiosity to work fluently across disciplines. You don't need to be an electronics engineer or a software developer — but you should be comfortable reading a schematic, interrogating a sensor integration, or challenging a firmware approach when the system requires it. What matters is genuine mechanical depth combined with the systems thinking to understand how your decisions propagate into other domains.
Essential Requirements
- A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline; a Master's qualification is advantageous, but equivalent industry experience is equally valued
- Significant experience in product development, ideally in scientific instrumentation, laboratory automation, medical devices, or a comparably demanding hardware environment
- A strong mechanical engineering foundation: mechanism design, thermal management, tolerancing, DFM/DFS, with demonstrable experience delivering products through to manufacture
- Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary teams, with sufficient understanding of electronics and software to engage confidently with specialists, interrogate technical trade-offs, and make informed decisions at a system level
- Experience leading technical work packages or project teams, with the ability to plan, manage risk, and deliver to milestones
- Proficiency in SolidWorks or comparable parametric 3D CAD, including use within a managed PDM environment
- Strong analytical and fault-finding skills, with a methodical approach to root cause investigation
- Clear and effective communicator, able to translate technical complexity for different audiences
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience with mechanical refrigeration systems, particularly in the -20°C to -80°C range, this is directly relevant to our cold storage portfolio and would be a significant advantage
- Experience with thermal analysis or simulation, such as FEA-based thermal modelling, particularly in the context of managing heat transfer, condensation, or insulation performance in complex enclosures
- Exposure to motion control, embedded sensors, or fluidics in a product context
- Working knowledge of relevant safety standards, including IEC 61010 and the Machinery Directive/Regulation
- Any familiarity with automated liquid handling systems operating in the µl to nl regime would be a welcome bonus
Our commitment to you:
You’ll be working with talented professionals in a motivated and driven team.
We offer a competitive salary package and comprehensive, valued benefits, including private medical insurance, a generous pension plan, and an annual discretionary bonus.
We embrace diversity and inclusivity, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, or family status. We prioritise supporting our employees' diverse needs as we strive for excellence together.
Senior Product Development Engineer in Cambridge employer: SPT Labtech
SPT Labtech is an exceptional employer located in Melbourn, near Cambridge, UK, where innovation meets collaboration. Our work culture fosters a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusivity, providing employees with competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. Join us to be part of a talented team dedicated to transforming laboratory automation and making a meaningful impact on human health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Development Engineer in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the life sciences and laboratory automation sectors. Attend industry conferences or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends, which can give you an edge in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with SPT Labtech's products and their impact on scientific discovery. Understanding their specific technologies and challenges will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to their mission during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with multidisciplinary collaboration. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams and tackled complex engineering problems in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your problem-solving skills by preparing case studies or examples from your past work. Highlight how you approached challenges in product development and the innovative solutions you implemented, as this aligns with the role's requirements.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Development Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product development, especially in multidisciplinary environments. Emphasise your technical skills in mechanical, electronic, and software engineering, as well as any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for laboratory automation and your problem-solving abilities. Mention specific projects where you led cross-functional teams and how you contributed to the product development lifecycle.
Highlight Relevant Skills:In your application, clearly outline your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks and programming languages such as C++, C#, or Python. Include any experience with automated systems or compliance standards that are relevant to the role.
Showcase Collaboration Experience:Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively across different engineering domains. Provide examples of how you've engaged with various functions, such as manufacturing and quality assurance, to deliver successful product outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at SPT Labtech
✨Showcase Your Multidisciplinary Skills
Since the role requires collaboration across mechanical, electrical, and software domains, be prepared to discuss your experience in these areas. Highlight specific projects where you successfully integrated different engineering disciplines.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare examples of complex engineering problems you've solved in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, showcasing your analytical skills and innovative thinking.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Product Development Lifecycle
Understand the entire product development process, from concept to production. Be ready to discuss how you've contributed at each stage in previous roles, particularly in rapid prototyping and iterative development.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing technical concepts. Be prepared to engage in discussions about how you would collaborate with cross-functional teams.
