Junior Product Development Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

ZipRecruiter is seeking a Junior Product Development Engineer to join their Product Development team in Milton Keynes. This role offers an exciting opportunity for motivated early-career engineers, providing hands-on experience in product design and development of innovative mechanical products. The successful candidate will lead product development from concept to production, working with cross-functional teams and ensuring high-quality product outcomes.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of industry experience in a hands-on engineering or product development environment.
• Basic understanding of prototyping and design-for-manufacture.
• Willingness to learn and contribute ideas.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development from concept through production.
• Build, assemble, and test prototypes to validate design.
• Identify and implement improvements to existing product lines.

Skills

SolidWorks

Teamwork

Prototyping

Communication

Problem-Solving

Education

HNC, HND, Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a Junior Product Development Engineer to support our Product Development team. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated early-career engineer with 1–2 years of experience to contribute to the design, development, and launch of innovative mechanical products within our impact protection portfolio. You’ll gain hands-on experience in product design, testing, and working cross-functionally with a dynamic global team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead product development from concept through production, ensuring functional performance, aesthetic quality, and manufacturability
• Build, assemble, and test prototypes to validate design intent and performance
• Identify and implement improvements to existing product lines, focusing on cost reduction, functionality, and ease of manufacture
• Develop line extensions and custom adaptations in response to customer needs or production opportunities
• Create accurate 3D models, technical drawings, and detailed specifications using SolidWorks
• Manage engineering change notices and maintain comprehensive documentation for all product iterations
• Partner with internal teams (sales, marketing, operations) and external suppliers to ensure seamless development and launch of products
• Provide technical support to customer teams and attend on-site visits for installations, trials, and development feedback
• Deliver projects on time and within budget, tracking milestones, managing timelines, and proactively addressing risks

Critical Success Factors

• Working knowledge of SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD tools
• Willingness to contribute ideas and learn new skills
• Eagerness to build and test prototypes and work in physical environments
• Clear communicator and a team player
• Proactive, organized, and open to taking ownership of assigned responsibilities

Qualifications & Experience

• HNC, HND, Bachelor's degree, or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or related field
• 1–2 years of industry experience in a hands-on engineering or product development environment
• Proficiency in SolidWorks (or similar CAD software)
• Basic understanding of prototyping, mechanical testing, and design-for-manufacture
• Must be commutable to Milton Keynes

Travel Requirements

This role requires approximately 10–20% travel, including international travel to customer sites, suppliers, and other company locations as needed to support product development, testing, and launch activities.

At McCue we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All hiring decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, and business needs—without regard to , , , , , , , , veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.