Associate Mechanical Engineer

STU STEMCELL Technologies UK Ltd.; Cambridge, Waterbeach; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

STEMCELL Technologies UK Ltd. in Cambridge is seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to support R&D, design, and testing of cell-sorting instruments, applying fundamentals of mechanical engineering across the product lifecycle.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams including Manufacturing and Quality, building test rigs, performing design verification, and contributing to continuous improvements while receiving mentorship from experienced engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline, with up to 2 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on engineering experience is expected.
• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD software (ideally SolidWorks) and understanding of fundamental engineering principles.
• Motivated, collaborative, and able to work with mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical Design & CAD: Use 3D CAD (SolidWorks) to develop components, drawings, and analyses.
• Prototyping & Testing: Design, build, and evaluate prototypes, tooling, and test rigs.
• Production & Sustaining Support: Collaborate with manufacturing to troubleshoot and implement improvements.
• Problem Solving & Investigations: Assist in root-cause investigations with senior engineers.
• Technical Documentation: Contribute to test protocols, work instructions, and QA documentation within QMS.
• Future Product Development: Contribute ideas and data for next-generation instruments.

Skills

Mechanical design

Prototyping

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Documentation

Design verification

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Description Summary As a global leader in life sciences research support, STEMCELL Technologies is looking for an Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our Instrumentation UK engineering team. In this role, you will apply fundamental mechanical engineering principles to support the R&D, design, testing, and continuous improvement of our innovative cell-sorting instruments, working closely with a multidisciplinary R&D team as well as Manufacturing and Quality. Our cell-sorting instruments are highly complex, combining precision mechanics, optics, electronics, and microfluidics. As an Associate Mechanical Engineer, you will take ownership of a diverse range of engineering projects across the product lifecycle. Your work will be highly varied, spanning from conceptualizing solutions for new product developments to building specialized test rigs, supporting compliance activities, and driving continuous improvements on our current instruments. Throughout your work, you will be closely supported and mentored by our experienced engineering team.

Job Description Duties and Responsibilities

• Mechanical Design & CAD: Utilize 3D CAD (SolidWorks) to develop and refine mechanical components, generate detailed engineering drawings, and conduct fundamental engineering analyses to support design decisions.
• Prototyping & Testing: Design, build, and evaluate prototypes, specialized tooling, and test rigs to validate new ideas and support ongoing R&D and design verification activities.
• Production & Sustaining Support: Collaborate closely with manufacturing teams to troubleshoot assembly processes, support hands-on product builds, evaluate supplier technologies, and implement practical design improvements.
• Problem Solving & Investigations: Assist in systematic root-cause investigations, working alongside senior engineers to evaluate technical issues and develop robust solutions.
• Technical Documentation: Contribute to the creation of essential engineering and quality documentation, including test protocols, manufacturing work instructions, and compliance reports within a controlled Quality Management System (QMS).
• Future Product Development: Contribute ideas, technical data, and design support to the development and review of our next generation of cell-sorting instrumentation.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, with up to 2 years of relevant experience.
• Practical hands-on engineering experience.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD software (ideally SolidWorks) and a solid grasp of fundamental engineering principles.
• A highly motivated, enthusiastic, and collaborative mindset; you are a self-starter who takes initiative but is equally receptive to direction and mentorship.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to design defined tests, accurately analyze data, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
• Familiarity with basic programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or C++) is desirable #LI-JS1 #LI-Onsite

STEMCELL Technologies is a privately owned, Vancouver-based biotechnology company that helps power leading-edge life science research around the world. Driven by our love of science and passion for quality, we are a company of Scientists Helping Scientists—standing by our customers to provide the outstanding products, technical support, and training they need to advance their research. Scientists performing stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapy research are among those who rely on our cell culture media, cell separation products, instruments, accessory products, and services. Through our many regional offices, as well as our distribution centers in Vancouver, Seattle, Grenoble, and Singapore, we deliver our innovative, specialized products to more than 100 countries. With over 1,800 employees globally, most with scientific or engineering degrees, STEMCELL is proud to be the largest biotechnology employer in Canada. This is an opportunity to work with highly motivated colleagues in a science-oriented, creative, and dynamic environment.

We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and meaningful career development opportunities. STEMCELL is well recognized for exceptional leadership and business practices. We are one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and operate an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system to measure and reduce our environmental impact. As an equal opportunity employer, STEMCELL is dedicated to ensuring that every employee feels safe, valued, and respected for who they are. We know that scientific progress and innovation occur when diverse, creative minds come together and we are committed to nurturing a culture of inclusivity and belonging. STEMCELL enforces a zero-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination. Selection decisions are solely based on job-related factors.

The annual salary for this job ranges from: £33,600.00 - £45,400.00

In addition to base salary, STEMCELL offers a comprehensive total rewards package that may include health benefits, retirement savings, and more (depending on region).

We all begin our lives curious about the world around us, the way it works and our place in it. At STEMCELL Technologies, we never lose that curiosity. It inspires and motivates us to discover and innovate. It drives us to develop technologies, create products, and offer services that will help scientists around the world do research that progresses scientific knowledge and supports breakthroughs. In the field of biotechnology, there is no better company in which to find inspiration, fulfill your potential and define your success with like-minded people. We specialize in the development of specialty cell culture media and cell isolation systems. Our products are used to drive the fields of stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine and cellular therapy research forward. We are Scientists Helping Scientists.