Manufacturing Design Engineer

University of Derby; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution partnered with a manufacturing company in Leeds seeks a KTP Associate. This role involves developing and launching a new manufacturing solution to aid global expansion. Ideal candidates will have expertise in sustainable design and automation. A competitive salary and development opportunities are provided, making this a dynamic career move for ambitious individuals.

Benefits

Dedicated training budget

Volunteering days

Charity Donation Contribution Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with CAD design software, such as SolidWorks.
• Strong awareness of project management methods.
• Ability to apply academic research and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and launch a new innovative manufacturing solution.
• Support the business to achieve specific project aims.
• Collaborate with We Seal Ltd Supervisor and Academic Supervisor.

Skills

Lean and sustainable design

Automation and control

Logic-based programming

CAD design software

Education

Good honours degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Overview

Here at University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths: the STEM skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.

Engineering at Derby has a bold vision to deliver an outstanding learning experience to our students, further develop and expand our research capacity and increase our industry engagement in the region and beyond to fulfil targets for Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Excellence Framework (KEF) as well as provide the best opportunities to our graduates. The discipline area is located in the University’s STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co-located. Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.

About We Seal Ltd

We Seal Ltd is a rapidly developing business specialising in manufacturing bag sealing tapes and innovative sealing machines. We design, engineer, manage installations and maintenance of our equipment, providing end-to-end expertise.

About the Role

University of Derby’s College of Science & Engineering in partnership with We Seal Ltd are offering an exciting career-development opportunity to manage and deliver a challenging strategic Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project. Based at We Seal Ltd’s premises in Leeds, you will be employed by the University as a KTP Associate but work under the terms and conditions of the company.

You will be responsible for the development and launch of a new and innovative manufacturing solution, allowing We Seal to accelerate its expansion into global markets. Using your knowledge and skills to support the business and achieve specific project aims, you will receive on-going support from a We Seal Ltd Supervisor, Academic Supervisor and Academic Lead from the University of Derby to Derby to help you deliver. A personal training and development budget will also be available for you to access, as well as receiving access to the same training opportunities and facilities as University staff.

This is a dynamic role that presents an opportunity for an ambitious candidate to play an influential role in supporting the design and launch of a new sealing machine that will enable the uptake of a significantly improved sustainable sealing solution, delivering environmental impact on a global scale beyond anything currently available on the market.

About Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

This full-time post is part-funded by the UK Government’s KTP programme. A KTP is a three-way project between a graduate, an organisation and a university. KTP is one of the UK’s largest graduate recruitment programmes and has been placing graduates on challenging, high profile projects for almost 45 years. In addition to a competitive salary and core KTP development training, you will have a dedicated budget of £4,500 for further training and career development. To find out more about the scheme visit: ktp-uk.org/graduates

Anticipated interview date: Wednesday 24th October 2025

About You

The ideal candidate will have expertise in lean and sustainable design, automation and control (including programming), and knowledge of the application of Internet of Things (IoT) in manufacturing. You will hold a good honours degree (achieving at least a 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Mechanical Engineering and have demonstrable experience with CAD design software, such as SolidWorks, alongside a sound understanding of engineering design techniques.

Strong awareness of project management methods to ensure successful delivery of the project, the ability to apply academic research and analysis, and experience in logic-based programming are essential. The role also requires pragmatic and creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to think innovatively and respond effectively to challenges.

Benefits

Whilst you will be employed by University of Derby, your terms and conditions will be that of We Seal Ltd.

Being based at We Seal, you will also benefit from working in a very rewarding job in a family-owned business with a great culture. We Seal also offer 2 days per annum for volunteering work and the opportunity to enter the company’s Charity Donation Contribution Scheme.

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Todor Dobrev, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail]

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. Please visit our website for more information.

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