Lead Product Design Engineer

Harnham; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Share options scheme

Annual performance and salary review

Training in robotics and spatial AI

Job summary

A cutting-edge robotics start-up is seeking a Lead Product Design Engineer to drive mechanical design and scale production. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in CAD and mechanical design, a relevant degree, and a passion for innovative product development. This role involves leading a small hardware team and collaborating on advanced LiDAR technologies, with a hybrid working model in Oxford.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CAD/mechanical design experience (SolidWorks ideal).
• Experience designing and producing end-user physical products.
• Manufacturing, assembly, and procurement experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design across R&D and production.
• Drive CAD development and prototyping.
• Manage supplier relationships, compliance, and certification.

Skills

CAD/mechanical design

Supplier relationships

Prototyping

Team mentoring

Basic electronics knowledge

Education

Degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics or Product Design Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

This range is provided by Harnham. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Harnham

Want to lead hardware development at a cutting-edge robotics start-up?

Do you thrive in fast-paced, hands-on product environments?

Ready to design LiDAR-enabled tools that map the real world in real time?

We’re partnered with a high-growth UK-based start-up spun out of a leading university research institute. The company is developing handheld LiDAR and SLAM-based systems for real-time spatial mapping—already used across construction, geospatial, and critical infrastructure sectors. Backed by £4M in funding and preparing for Series A, they’re hiring a Lead Product Design Engineer to lead hardware development and scale production operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design across R&D and production
• Drive CAD development (SolidWorks) and prototyping (3D printing, injection moulding)
• Manage supplier relationships, compliance, and certification
• Scale operations from small batch to high-quality production
• Collaborate closely with electronics and firmware teams
• Mentor a small but growing hardware team

Requirements

• 5+ years of CAD/mechanical design experience (SolidWorks ideal)
• Degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics or Product Design Engineering
• Experience designing and producing end-user physical products
• Manufacturing, assembly, and procurement experience
• Basic electronics knowledge (PCBs, sensors, firmware)
• Strong ownership mindset and appetite for startup pace

Bonus if you have:

• Leadership experience in hardware teams
• Experience with sensors (LiDAR, cameras, GPS)
• Background at companies like Dyson, Siemens, aerospace, robotics, or automotive
• Location: Oxford (hybrid, 3–4 days onsite)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Share options scheme
• Annual performance and salary review
• Training in robotics and spatial AI

Please apply if interested.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Research

• Industries

  Software Development and Construction

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