Junior Product Design Engineer

Dolmen; Harwell; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Pension

Health insurance

Bonus scheme

25 days holiday

Job summary

Oxford Product Design (OPD) is seeking a junior Product Design Engineer based in Harwell. You will support the design and development of innovative products, applying first-principles thinking and mechanical engineering fundamentals.

The role requires 2–3 years of product development experience, preferably from a consultancy, with hands-on prototyping, testing, and documentation. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust designs and drive manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 2–3 years of product development experience, preferably in a consultancy.
• Hands-on engineering through projects, prototyping, testing or workshop activities.
• Knowledge of AI tools.
• Desirable familiarity with FEA/CFD or other engineering simulation tools.
• Desirable experience with design for manufacture and tolerance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Apply mechanical engineering principles and first-principles thinking to support robust product designs and solutions.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and design documentation using SolidWorks or equivalent.
• Support prototype builds, testing, design verification programmes, and engineering investigations to evaluate and improve product performance.
• Select and apply materials considering performance, manufacturability, cost, and project requirements.
• Contribute to development of products designed for manufacture across machining, fabrication, moulding, casting, additive manufacturing and assembly.
• Design and specify mechanical components and electromechanical assemblies.

Skills

Product development experience

Hands-on engineering

Use of AI tools

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD software

Job description

The Opportunity

Full Time. Based: Harwell.

JOB PURPOSE

To play a key supporting role in the design and development of innovative products at OPD

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for a junior product design engineer with at least 2-3 years of product development experience, preferably gained in a consultancy environment

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Apply mechanical engineering principles and first-principles thinking to support the development of technically robust product designs and engineering solutions


• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies, technical drawings, and associated design documentation using SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software


• Support prototype builds, testing activities, design verification programmes, and engineering investigations to evaluate and improve product performance


• Select and apply appropriate engineering materials, including metals, polymers, elastomers, and composites, considering performance, manufacturability, cost, and project requirements


• Contribute to the development of products designed for manufacture by applying knowledge of manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, moulding, casting, additive manufacturing, and assembly


• Design and specify common mechanical components and systems, including fasteners, bearings, mechanisms, seals, structural parts, and electromechanical assemblies


• Perform engineering calculations, analyses, and investigations to identify issues, evaluate design options, and develop practical, cost-effective solutions


• Prepare technical reports, specifications, presentations, and design documentation, communicating engineering information clearly to colleagues, clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders


• Manage assigned tasks and deliverables effectively, ensuring work is completed accurately, to a high standard, and within project timescales


• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects, contributing engineering expertise throughout the product development process


• Support a variety of client projects across different sectors, adapting quickly to new technologies, industries, and technical challenges within a consultancy environment.


• Participate in hands-on engineering activities including prototype assembly, workshop tasks, testing, fault-finding, product development builds, and validation activities


• Support project delivery by contributing to design reviews, client meetings, technical discussions, and project planning activities


• Build strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, and project teams, representing the company in a professional and collaborative manner

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, Design Engineering, or a related discipline


• At least 2-3 years of product development experience, preferably gained in a consultancy environment


• Hands-on engineering experience through projects, prototyping, testing, or workshop activities is highly valued


• Use and knowledge of AI tools


• [Desirable] Familiarity with FEA, CFD, or other engineering simulation tools


• [Desirable] Experience with design for manufacture (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), and tolerance stack-up analysis


• [Desirable] Knowledge of product testing methodologies, experimental design, and root-cause investigation


• [Desirable] Experience designing products for regulated industries such as medical devices, aerospace, defence, or respiratory protection


• [Desirable] Experience working with electronics, sensors, motors, batteries, or electromechanical systems

ABOUT US

At Oxford Product Design (OPD) we’re on a mission to make things better. Better for the products we design, the clients we work with, our people working here, our planet, and everyone we connect with along the way.

Our exceptional team of professional problem solvers work with both start-ups on ground-breaking new ideas, as well as some of the world’s leading brands on category-defining products that improve how we humans live and work.

As innovators we are curious, experimental, creative and passionate. But our pragmatic, precise approach and highly technical expertise mean that manufacturability and risk management are at the core of everything we do.

We are based in a beautiful historic barn in Harwell, Oxfordshire. There is plenty of on-site parking and the studio is well connected by bus and rail links.

WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN

You’ll play a key part in our continued growth and work with great people in a supportive and flexible working environment.

We offer a competitive salary, pension, health insurance and bonus scheme. You’ll get 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and paid leave on your birthday, wedding day, or if you’re buying a house or taking your child for their first day at school. You can purchase another 5 days of holiday a year, spread across 12 months, or sell back holiday at any point.

After 3 years of working at OPD you can apply for an unpaid sabbatical of up to 3 months, increasing to 6 months after 6 years.

You’ll be allocated a training budget of up to 5% of your annual salary.

We’re a member of the cycle to work scheme which allows you to purchase a bike and related accessories tax free, we offer season ticket loans and have an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.