Mechanical Design Engineer

AB Dynamics; Bradford-on-Avon; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Up to 10% matched pension

Job summary

AB Dynamics is a leading automotive test systems specialist seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join the Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Design Engineering team. The role covers concept through production on robotic systems for Track Test and Lab Test departments.

You will create detailed mechanical designs, ensure DFM/DFA readiness, generate drawings and documentation, and support validation and verification with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Strong CAD and FEA experience.
• Experience in a structured New Product Development environment.
• Understanding of design for manufacture (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to mechanical engineering solutions meeting specs, cost, quality and timescales.
• Prepare and present concept designs within the NPD process.
• Produce detailed mechanical designs with DFM/DFA considerations.
• Create engineering specifications and manufacturing drawings.
• Prepare supporting documentation including EBoMs, calculations, test and FEA reports.
• Support validation and verification activities for new and existing products.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Test & Calibration teams to resolve issues.
• Participate in design reviews to drive product improvement.

Skills

Strong critical thinking

Clear communication

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Ownership and accountability

Creativity and risk management

Organisational skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Strong academic background in engineering, maths or physics

Equivalent industry experience

Tools

CAD software

FEA software

Job description

AB Dynamics is one of the world’s leading specialists in automotive test systems, supplying a range of advanced solutions including driving robots, ADAS soft crash targets and driving simulators to all major vehicle manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers globally. The company's unique technology is used for many applications including the development of autonomous vehicles.

Working within AB Dynamics' Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Design Engineering team, the Mechanical Design Engineer will support the development of high-value, technically advanced products from concept through to production. The role involves working within multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, software and systems engineering, contributing to the design and development of robotic systems for the Track Test Department and Kinematics and Compliance systems for the Lab Test Department.

These products support OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers with research and development equipment for automotive development and testing.

Core Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of mechanical engineering solutions that meet specification, cost, quality and timescale requirements through design, development, testing and analysis activities.
• Support the preparation, analysis and presentation of concept designs in line with the established New Product Development (NPD) process.
• Produce detailed mechanical designs with consideration for design for manufacture (DFM), design for assembly (DFA) and product quality.
• Create engineering specifications and manufacturing drawings.
• Prepare supporting documentation including EBoMs, engineering calculations, test reports and FEA reports.
• Support validation and verification activities for new and existing products.
• Work closely with Manufacturing and Test & Calibration teams to help identify and resolve design, manufacturing and quality-related issues.
• Participate in design reviews and engineering discussions to drive continual product improvement.

What are we looking for?

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Strong critical thinking skills and sound engineering judgement.
• Clear communication and the ability to present technical information effectively.
• Effective collaboration across mechanical, electrical, software and project engineering teams.
• Ownership, accountability and attention to detail in delivering engineering work.
• Creativity, innovation and the ability to manage technical risk.
• Enthusiasm for engineering and continuous learning.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including knowledge of engineering materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience using CAD software to create and develop mechanical designs.
• Understanding of design, development, validation and product release processes.
• Experience using engineering analysis tools such as FEA or similar software would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound engineering judgement and the ability to manage technical risk.
• Ability to work effectively across engineering disciplines and communicate technical information clearly.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• A strong academic background in engineering, mathematics or physics.
• Experience working within a structured new product development environment.
• Experience in mechanical design engineering within a relevant industry.
• Familiarity with design for manufacture (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.
• Experience supporting prototype build, testing and validation activities.
• Understanding of engineering documentation, drawing standards and configuration control processes.
• Experience contributing to design reviews, verification activities and engineering best practice.

We are part of the AB Dynamics Group, an innovative, dynamic listed business with a friendly and supportive working environment. In addition to competitive salaries, our attractive benefits package includes:

• Discretionary bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, which increases every 2 complete years up to a max of 32 days
• Up to 10% matched pension contributions, with option to salary exchange
• Private Medical Insurance – Family cover (Company funded benefit in kind)
• Life Assurance 6x salary
• Option to join Critical Illness Insurance, Dental Insurance and Health screening
• Income protection (Company funded)
• Enhanced parental leave
• EAP including mental, physical and financial wellbeing support
• Enhanced sick pay after 1 years’ service