At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative underwater vehicles and tackle complex engineering challenges.
- Company: Join Vatn Systems, a leader in autonomous underwater vehicle technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced startup culture with exciting projects and career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make waves in underwater exploration while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering with 5-8 years of design analysis experience.
The predicted salary is between 48231 - 58949 £ per year.
Company Overview
Vatn Systems is a leader in the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), delivering cutting‑edge technology for underwater exploration, scientific research, and defense applications.
Our innovative and dedicated team excels at tackling complex subsea challenges, consistently redefining possibilities in the field.
Job Description
As a Senior/Principal Mechanical Design Engineer at Vatn, you will direct the mechanical architecture and design for our most complex AUV subsea systems from initial concept to final production.
As a technical lead, you will tackle complex challenges related to high hydrostatic pressures, corrosive environments, strict weight and buoyancy budgets, and tight packaging of sensitive electronics.
You will guide products through development, while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating closely with our electrical, software, and systems engineering teams.
This design‑driven position also requires a strong intuition of mechanical systems and deep expertise in engineering analysis.
You will work hands‑on across these domains while also raising the analytical bar for the broader mechanical engineering team.
Responsibilities
- Lead the mechanical design and development of complex subsea components, systems, and assemblies from concept through production.
- Lead the full‑lifecycle mechanical architecture of subsea platforms, encompassing hydrostatic pressure vessels, hydrodynamic fairings, structural chassis, and the integration of mission‑critical payloads.
- Develop and maintain CAD models, detailed drawings, GD&T, and tolerance stack‑ups that reflect analysis‑driven design decisions.
- Lead engineering analysis across the mechanical system, including structural, hydrostatic pressure housing design, and thermal analysis.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver manufacturable, reliable hardware.
- Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation efforts, closing the loop between predicted and observed performance.
- Size and evaluate subsea propulsion systems, including thrust, power, and efficiency trade‑offs specific to underwater operation.
- Perform battery sizing and packaging analysis, balancing energy density, thermal behavior, and mechanical integration constraints.
- Design and analyze propellers, and optimize hydrodynamic bodies for drag, efficiency, and performance across operating conditions.
- Serve as a technical mentor to the mechanical engineering team, building internal analysis capability in seal design, pressure systems, propulsion, and hydrodynamics.
- Manage and prioritize multiple concurrent engineering efforts in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (Master’s or Ph D preferred).
- 5-8 years of mechanical engineering experience, with a significant and demonstrated focus on design analysis rather than design execution alone.
- Strong proficiency in CAD (Solid Works preferred), including 3D modeling, assembly, and detailed drawing production.
- Drive the prototyping and validation lifecycle by creating comprehensive test protocols and spearheading hardware evaluation, spanning high‑pressure hydrostatic environments, thermal characterization, and in‑water performance.
- Proven experience with static and dynamic seal design.
- Experience designing systems for hydrostatic pressure, including pressure housings and pressure‑critical component analysis.
- Experience sizing propulsion systems, ideally in a subsea or marine context.
- Experience with the design and analysis of propellers.
- Solid foundation in core mechanical engineering principles: materials, mechanics, and manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with design analysis tools and techniques (e. g., FEA, CFD) strongly preferred — ANSYS Workbench or similar.
- Experience designing and building composite parts is a plus.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to mentor and elevate the analytical capability of the broader team.
- Detail‑oriented mindset with a focus on precision, rigor, and quality.
- Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced startup environment with shifting priorities.
Vatn is an equal opportunity employer.
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer employer: Vatn Systems
At Vatn, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the role of Sr. Metrology Engineer. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration between engineering and machining teams, ensuring that employees have ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Located in a state-of-the-art machine shop environment, we offer competitive benefits and a commitment to quality that empowers our team members to make a meaningful impact on production processes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
✨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 Vatn Systems.
✨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 Vatn Systems love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Vatn Systems 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 Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
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 Vatn Systems and the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer 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 Vatn Systems
✨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 Vatn Systems.
✨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 Vatn Systems.
✨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 Vatn Systems, making you a more appealing candidate.
