Development Engineer

Strategic Recruitment Partners; Chippenham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Recruitment Partners is helping a Chippenham-based specialist in advanced composite structures recruit a Development Engineer on a permanent basis. The role blends desk-based design with hands-on development, contributing to the technology roadmap and production readiness.

You will lead CAE activities (CAD, drafting, CAM), support New Product Introduction, and collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to deliver on time and on budget.

Qualifications

• Min 2:1 Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Equivalent.
• Ideally 2+ years experience in an Engineering design environment.
• Proficient in Solidworks CAD Software or equivalent (Solidworks preferred).
• Able to set-up, mesh, run and analyse FE Simulations to model intelligible load cases with realistic outcomes.
• Experienced in conveying engineering data via engineering drawings (GD&T).
• Capable of presenting ideas and information to stakeholders.
• Extensive knowledge of production methods and processes.
• Experience in project management and managing suppliers.
• Capable of communicating ideas and conveying information in a team based environment.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of LEAN methodology and associated tools and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise CAE activities including Modelling, Simulation and Drafting.
• Deliver and report on R&D programmes and technology development.
• Support New Product Introduction and enable mechanisation for production.
• Coordinate with the NPI Manager to ensure CAD designs scale for production.
• Ensure ISO9001-compliant design processes and SOPs.

Skills

FEA simulations

GD&T

Stakeholder communication

Project management

Supplier management

Lean methods

Presenting ideas

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (2:1)

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA software

Job description

Our client, a specialist in the design and manufacture of advanced composite structures, based in Chippenham, are currently looking for a Development Engineer to join their growing team on a permanent basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a young, dynamic, and forward-thinking company where you will be more than just an employee, but an integral part of an ambitious future. The company also runs a 9-day working fortnight offering a 3 day weekend every other week!

Our client is a leading innovator in the design, development and manufacture of advanced composite structures and components. They specialise in lightweighting and efficiency solutions for high-performance industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy and industrial. They are passionate about pushing the boundaries of composites technology and delivering cutting-edge solutions to their clients.

Job Summary:

Conceptualise, innovate, design and develop components, products, technologies, processes and the systems used to manufacture them, playing a key role in the development and on-going of products and technology roadmap. Whether internally or customer lead, this role has responsibility for ensuring project success with regard to designed artefacts from inception, through concept design, detailed design, tooling design and into first article manufacture, using innovative engineering skills to ensure seamless integration. Both a desk based and hands on position, demanding high levels of creativity and flexibility.

Reporting to the Managing Director, [and when in-position, Project / Program Manager], the role will be accountable for the delivery of CAE activities (CAD, Simulation, Drafting, CAM) and for the formal and informal delivery of relevant information back to stakeholders in a comprehensive and timely manner.

Provide support for New Product Introduction and work to ensure that all aspects of CAE design are created to support production development and mechanisation of manufacturing process, leading to automation.

Work closely with the New Product Introduction Manager to not only communicate project intentions for first article design and manufacture, but to ensure that numerous aspects of CAD design are agreeable to scaled production, allow for the adoption of LEAN methodologies and mechanisation, ultimately leading to automated or semi-automated artifact production.

Lead and supervise Project R&D activities relevant to component, product and technology development, analyse data from these prototype tests and generate progress reports summarising technical outcomes and lessons learnt.

Directly responsible for CAE activities including, but not limited to, Modelling, Simulation, Drafting and Engineering Document Control with the intention of outlining and developing “Design and Development” processes and Standard Operating Procedures (“WI”ss), compliant to ISO9001, for the design process.

Where delegated and agreed, Role will be the primary point of contact and accountable for the successful OTIF and On-Budget delivery of grant-funded R&D programmes, managing suppliers (soliciting updates, obtaining pricing for bought in components, developing BOMs and similar).

• Min 2:1 Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Equivalent.


• Ideally 2+ years experience working in an Engineering design environment.


• Proficient in Solidworks CAD Software or equivalent (Solidworks preferred).


• Able to set-up, mesh, run and analyse FE Simulations to model intelligible load cases with realistic outcomes.


• Experienced in conveying engineering data via engineering drawings (GD&T).


• Capable of presenting ideas and information to stakeholders.


• Extensive knowledge of production methods and processes.


• Experience in project management and managing suppliers.


• Capable of communicating ideas and conveying information in a team based environment.


• Basic knowledge and understanding of LEAN methodology and associated tools and techniques.

Certification required:

• Membership to an Engineering Institution (IMechE, IET). Encouraged but not a necessity.