Mechanical Engineer I in Southampton

Our client is looking for a Mechanical Engineer I to join their specialist robotics and automation engineering centre in Frimley.

About the Opportunity

This role sits within a specialist robotics and automation engineering centre in the UK, forming part of a small, multidisciplinary team developing production-scale autonomous industrial vehicles. The environment is highly hands-on and delivery focused, with engineers working directly on physical machines and deployed systems rather than purely conceptual designs. The site includes integrated office, laboratory, and workshop facilities, enabling close collaboration between mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineers throughout the full development lifecycle. This is an on-site role (minimum four days per week), ideally suited to engineers who enjoy practical problem-solving and working directly with hardware.

Role Summary

The Robotics Mechanical Engineer I supports the concept, design, development, and release of mechanical hardware solutions for autonomous and robotic industrial vehicle platforms. The role works cross-functionally with electrical, controls, software, test, manufacturing, procurement, and suppliers to design and integrate robust mechanical systems, including mountings, brackets, enclosures, and structural components. This is a hands-on, early-career engineering role. The position is well suited to someone with strong mechanical fundamentals, genuine curiosity, and a desire to build deep product knowledge through direct involvement with prototype vehicles and real-world engineering challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with cross-functional teams (mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and test) to understand system requirements and translate them into effective mechanical design solutions.
• Contribute to the development of Design Validation Plans & Reports (DVP&Rs), considering durability, environmental, functional safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Generate mechanical design solutions that meet functional, performance, cost, and quality objectives.
• Support verification and validation activities at component and vehicle level, including review of test results.
• Engage with manufacturing teams and suppliers to optimise designs for manufacturability and serviceability.
• Support the release of mechanical design packages using established internal processes and documentation standards.
• Participate in issue triage, root cause analysis, and corrective action activities alongside service and aftersales teams.
• Document design intent, changes, and issues clearly and communicate effectively across the wider engineering organisation.
• Carry out hands-on build and assembly of prototype mechanical systems and sub-systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Mechatronics, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Basic CAD capability for 3D modelling, drawings, and layouts, with familiarity with engineering drawing standards and GD&T concepts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and willingness to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Desirable Qualifications

• 0–2 years’ experience in mechanical product development, design, or validation (including internships or placements).
• Exposure to robotics, autonomous systems, mobile machinery, or industrial automation through coursework or projects.
• Familiarity with sensors and actuators used in robotic systems and their mechanical integration considerations.
• Basic understanding of electrical and electronic systems.
• Awareness of vehicle or industrial communication networks (e.g. CAN-based systems).
• Familiarity with design review and risk assessment tools (e.g. FMEA).
• Experience with Siemens NX, Teamcenter, or comparable CAD/PDM tools.
• Exposure to manufacturing environments, suppliers, or DFM/DFA principles.
• Participation in hands-on engineering projects (e.g. Formula Student or similar).