Mechanical Design Engineer

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious British university seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to join their Mechanical Design Group. Your role will involve designing and delivering high-precision components for experimental physics projects, with an emphasis on lightweight composite structures for advanced research. You will work closely with leading researchers and contribute to significant scientific discoveries, all within a world-class technical environment. This is a fixed-term position for 3 years with a possibility of extension, requiring a mechanical engineering degree and project management experience.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in the design and analysis of precision scientific instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of structural behaviour, low-temperature design and manufacturing best practice.
• Experience with UHV/XHV systems and vibration analysis is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyse and deliver high-precision mechanical components and experimental equipment.
• Take projects from concept through detailed design, manufacture, testing and commissioning.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical reports and publications.

Skills

3D CAD (CATIA V6 / 3DEXPERIENCE)

Communication skills

Project management

Composite materials experience

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Working closely with academics, engineers, technicians and international collaborators, you will take projects from concept through detailed design, manufacture, testing and commissioning. The role combines hands‑on engineering with technical leadership, design review and close interaction with in‑house workshops and global research partners.

You will hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent professional experience, and have demonstrable experience in the design and analysis of precision scientific instrumentation. You will be highly proficient in 3D CAD (ideally CATIA V6 / 3DEXPERIENCE), with strong understanding of structural behaviour, low‑temperature design and manufacturing best practice.

You will have practical experience with composite materials, including material selection, tooling and lay‑up processes, and be comfortable applying FEA to validate complex designs. Strong communication skills are essential, with the ability to present technical information clearly to international collaborators and contribute to technical reports and publications.

Experience managing projects from concept to installation, mentoring junior engineers, and working in multidisciplinary research environments is required. Knowledge of UHV/XHV systems, vibration analysis or advanced composite design would be advantageous. Willingness to travel internationally for project work is essential.

Physics‑Central, Department of Physics, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH

The Department of Physics at the University of Oxford is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join the Mechanical Design Group within the Oxford Physics Technical Excellence Centre (OPTEC). This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to world‑leading experimental physics projects, delivering precision‑engineered solutions that support cutting‑edge scientific research.

This post is fixed term for 3 years with a possible extension subject to funding.

You will design, analyse and deliver high‑precision mechanical components and experimental equipment, much of which operates in Ultra‑High and Extreme‑High Vacuum environments. A growing focus of the role is the design and analysis of lightweight composite structures, particularly ultralight carbon‑fibre systems for advanced physics experiments. This is a rare opportunity to see your engineering work directly enable globally significant scientific discoveries.

You will work in a world‑class technical environment with outstanding facilities, collaborating with leading researchers on projects that push the limits of science and engineering.