At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to tackle engineering challenges at the intersection of biology and technology.
- Company: TTP is an innovative, employee-owned consultancy with a focus on impactful product development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holiday, free lunches, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in life sciences by developing cutting-edge technologies and products.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical design skills and experience with complex product development are essential.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
TTP is an employee-owned technology and product development consultancy, with a 40-year track record of helping ambitious clients solve complex technical challenges and bring innovative, commercially successful solutions to market. We invent, design, and manufacture impactful products and technologies across a wide range of industries – including healthcare, life science, energy, and communications – and at the intersection of biology, physical science and engineering. Our working culture encourages entrepreneurship, shared ideas and technical collaboration, while providing you with the freedom to do your best work.
We’re looking for a talented Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Molecular Synthesis & Omics team (part of a larger Life Science department) and help tackle some of the challenging engineering problems at the interface of biology, chemistry and technology. The interdisciplinary team develops innovative technologies and products for genomics, molecular synthesis and life-science research. We work with leading biotechnology companies and research organisations to turn emerging scientific ideas into practical, robust and scalable products — from novel microfluidic consumables and molecular processing systems to complex automated laboratory instruments. Projects span areas such as next-generation DNA synthesis, sequencing sample preparation, precision liquid handling, automated molecular workflows and novel biological measurement technologies.
Your work as a Mechanical Design Engineer will be varied, technically demanding and often involves developing solutions that don't yet exist. You'll work closely with molecular biologists, chemists, physicists and engineers in both our MS&O and the broader Life Science team, contributing mechanical design expertise from early concept generation through detailed design, prototyping, testing and product development. You'll have the opportunity to take ownership of mechanical design challenges, develop creative solutions and see your ideas become working prototypes and ultimately commercial products. If you are an experienced mechanical designer who enjoys hands-on engineering, thrives on solving unfamiliar problems and wants to apply their skills to technologies that could shape the future of life sciences, we’d love to hear from you.
Qualifications
You'll be an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with excellent design capabilities, a wider understanding of the electromechanical considerations of product development and an innovative approach to problem solving. This role will be a full-time, on site position.
Essential experience and skills
- Strong experience in mechanical design and development of complex products or instruments.
- Excellent 3D CAD skills, ideally including SolidWorks (and ideally familiarity with Onshape).
- Good understanding of mechanical and electromechanical system design.
- Experience taking designs from initial concepts through detailed engineering, prototyping and testing.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials and design for manufacture.
- Ability to perform tolerance analysis and develop robust mechanical assemblies.
- Strong practical engineering skills, including building, testing and troubleshooting prototypes.
- Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly through CAD models, sketches, prototypes and design reviews.
- Experience working collaboratively with engineers and scientists from different disciplines.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and take ownership of design deliverables.
Desirable experience
- Design of precision motion systems, positioning mechanisms or automated instrumentation.
- Experience with microfluidics, liquid handling, laboratory automation or life-science instruments.
- Design of plastic injection-moulded parts and single-use consumables.
- Experience designing assembly jigs, fixtures and test equipment.
- Experience of structured concept-generation techniques and engineering risk assessments, including dFMEA and pFMEA.
- Experience sourcing custom components and working with specialist manufacturing suppliers.
- Experience using rapid prototyping, visualisation and rendering tools to communicate and evaluate design concepts.
Additional Information
TTP is an employee-owned business, based at TTP Campus in Melbourn, just 10 miles south of Cambridge. Our purpose-built, sustainable offices and laboratories are set in green surroundings, creating an inspiring environment for innovation. Our working culture encourages entrepreneurship, shared ideas and technical collaboration, while providing you with the freedom to do your best work.
Our employee benefits include:
- Annual profit-related bonus
- 25 days holiday
- Employer pension contribution of 10% of salary
- Free, nutritious lunch in our on-site restaurant
- Private medical insurance for employees and dependants
- Enhanced family friendly leave
- Life insurance worth 6x salary
- Electric car leasing scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- An activities and community fund that supports healthy activities that bring colleagues together; whether it’s lunchtime squash or football, Zumba or our own rock band.
- Local sports facilities and theatre discounts and memberships
Please click the following link to read the TTP Group Diversity Statement.
Mechanical Design Engineer - Life Science in Cambridge employer: TTP
At TTP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives. Located in the picturesque surroundings of Melbourn, just south of Cambridge, our award-winning campus fosters collaboration and creativity among our high-calibre team. With a generous benefits package, including profit-related bonuses, private medical insurance, and comprehensive relocation support, we are committed to nurturing employee growth and well-being while delivering cutting-edge surgical technologies that make a real difference in patient outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Engineer - Life Science in Cambridge
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like TTP.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like TTP love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of TTP and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Engineer - Life Science in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for TTP and the Mechanical Design Engineer - Life Science role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at TTP
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at TTP.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at TTP.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with TTP, making you a more appealing candidate.
