Mechanical Engineer

Mode Labs; Cherwell District; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Mode Labs is seeking a Mechanical/Development Engineer to join their team and contribute to developing a novel sensing platform for environmental monitoring. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical design, experience with CAD software, and a passion for innovative product development within a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Employee share option scheme

Flexible working arrangements

25 days paid leave + bank holidays

Annual discretionary training allowance

Company matched pension contributions up to 5%

Travel to work loan scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in mechanical design.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience with opto-mechanical system design.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and prototype opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Build and test system prototypes for functionality.
• Support creation of technical documentation.

Skills

Opto-mechanical systems design

3D CAD design

Prototyping

Troubleshooting

Technical documentation

Mechanical design principles

Education

Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

We are recruiting for a talented and experienced Mechanical/ Development Engineerto help develop a novel sensing platform for environmental monitoring.

As a Mechanical/ Development Engineer at Mode Labs, you will design, build and test core components and subsystems of our platform. You will develop opto-mechanical assemblies, fixtures and production-ready jigs, and modify microfluidic and optical subassemblies into packaged subsystems which must perform in a number of external environmental conditions. You will be working within an interdisciplinary team of engineers developing our first commercial product.

Key Responsibilities

• Specify, design, fabricate and prototype opto-mechanical assemblies.

• Create detailed 2D and 3D CAD models using software such as SolidWorks.

• Build and test system prototypes for functionality, ease-of-use and longevity.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to opto-mechanical systems.

• Support the creation of technical documentation, e.g. technical drawings, requirement specifications and bill of materials.

• Conduct feasibility studies and evaluate designs for development and manufacturability.

• Utilise engineering principles and methodologies to optimise product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

We aim to build a diverse, collaborative and cross-functional team with a passion for root-cause analysis and solving complex technical problems. A background in the development of analytical, optical and/or microfluidic instruments is desirable.

You will have a technical background in hardware development with a degree, HND or equivalent industrial experience in mechanical engineering (or related fields) who will thrive working as part of a small passionate team.

Essential Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in mechanical design and working within an engineering team.

• Proficiency in designing in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).

• Experience in opto-mechanical system design and assembly of complex systems.

• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes

• Experience in designing fixtures and jigs for ensuring accurate alignment of built assemblies.

• Hands-on experience in SLA, FDM, and other rapid prototyping techniques.

• Able to generate technical documentation, including design specifications, test protocols, technical drawings and bill of materials.

• Hands-on experience packaging assemblies into packaged systems/ devices.

• Adaptability and a proactive mindset to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working hands-on with lasers and optical systems.

• NPI experience.

• Hands-on experience in programming of Arduino, Raspberry Pi or similar systems.

• Working knowledge of electronics, software and mechanical engineering domains.

Eligibility: Candidates must be able to prove that they are eligible to work in the UK.

Salary

Salary will be dependent upon level of skill and experience. We therefore anticipate the following:

• £35k – £40k for applicants with experience working within a technical environment with the essential experience required.

• £40k - £45k for applicants with further desirable experience (not exclusive to the list above).

Benefits

• Employee share option scheme

• Optional 9-day fortnight work pattern

• Flexible working arrangements where possible

• 25 days paid leave + bank holidays

• Annual discretionary training allowance

• Company matched pension contributions up to 5%.

• Travel to work loan scheme

These roles are advertised as full-time, however, part-time would be considered at a minimum of 0.8 FTE. We are pleased to accommodate flexible and hybrid working where appropriate but, as a small company focussed on technology development, we find hands-on system and collaboration time to be highly valuable, so encourage time spent in the office and expect this when required.

Application Process

Job Closing Date: Until position is filled. Applications will be reviewed as received so this vacancy may be closed earlier; early applications are therefore encouraged.

Interview Dates: Starting July 2025

Interview Process: Initial video calls will be used for shortlisting candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview. The in-person interview may include a short technical assessment based on the above job description or a short presentation of previous experience. Candidates will be informed in advance of this.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and commit to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace whilst creating an environment which promotes dignity and respect for all. We post our job descriptions across a wide range of recruitment platforms to enable us to garner the most diverse range of candidates we possibly can.

Adjustments and Provisions

We are dedicated to putting in place any reasonable adjustments that may be required to meet the needs of those who wish to apply for a position at Mode Labs.

If you are comfortable to do so, please share if you have a declared disability, for example but not limited to: a social communication impairment such as autism spectrum disorder, a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD; a mental health condition, a sensory impairment affecting sight or hearing or a physical or mobility impairment.

Our Company

Mode Labs, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, are developing an innovative remote autonomous chemical sensor platform to address the growing need to understand and monitor the world around us.

As part of our initial mission, Mode Labs are targeting the development of a remotely deployable sensor to act within the water quality market and address the unmet and growing needs of environmental legislation across the country and beyond.Our Vision is to bring chemical understanding outside of the laboratory, delivering clear and concise measurement data where it is needed most. Precision sensing, anytime, anywhere.