Mechanical Engineer

Roc Search GmbH; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A reputable engineering recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a contract position. The successful candidate will develop and validate a folding mechanism for a trolley using SolidWorks. This hybrid role requires a strong mechanical design background and experience in prototyping, with a focus on creating production-ready documentation. Candidates must have their own SolidWorks licence and capable PC.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design.
• SolidWorks licence/seat required.
• Ability to interpret/perform basic FEA checks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate a folding mechanism for a new trolley.
• Create SolidWorks models and detailed drawings.
• Produce test plans and lead hands-on testing.

Skills

Mechanical design background

Advanced SolidWorks capability

Understanding of GD&T

Experience with mechanical linkages

Structural engineering fundamentals

Practical prototyping experience

Clear communication

Workshop awareness

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Role: Senior Mechanical Design Engineer (contract)

Duration: 3-6 months (client flexible)

Location: Hybrid (onsite prototype sessions expected)

Start: ASAP preferred

Software: SolidWorks required (contractor must supply own licence/seat and PC)

Overview

We're recruiting a seasoned mechanical design contractor to develop and validate a folding mechanism for a new trolley. The project will use an existing design concept that needs detailed mechanical interrogation, refinement and production-ready documentation. The successful contractor will own the SolidWorks modelling work, support prototype assembly/testing, and hand over manufacturable drawings and BOMs.

Day-to-day Deliverables

• Review and interrogate the existing concept for kinematics, loads and failure modes.
• Develop full SolidWorks models and detailed drawings (GD&T applied).
• Produce tolerance stack-ups and tolerance analysis to ensure mechanism function.
• Provide DFMA recommendations and material selection advice.
• Create test plans, assemble prototypes, carry out hands‑on testing and lead iteration cycles.
• Produce final production drawings, BOM and a short validation/test report.
• Liaise with client engineers and suppliers where required.

Must-have skills / experience

• Proven experience with mechanisms, mechanical linkages and scotch yoke style kinematics.
• Senior mechanical design background - typically 5+ years (or equivalent demonstrated experience).
• Advanced SolidWorks capability (surface & solid modelling, large assemblies, configurations). Must have own SolidWorks licence/seat and a capable machine.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Structural engineering fundamentals: ability to interpret/perform basic FEA checks, understand stresses, fatigue and safety factors.
• Practical prototyping experience - hands‑on with assembly, jigging, test rigs and iteration.
• Good workshop awareness and familiarity with common manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, injection moulding, weldments).
• Clear communicator; able to deliver concise design documentation and test summaries.

Desirable

• Experience producing BOMs and liaising with suppliers.
• Prior work on folding/telescoping mechanisms, trolleys or compacting/folding furniture/transport systems.
• Experience with SolidWorks Simulation (advantage, not essential).

Equipment expectation (contractor must supply)

• Own SolidWorks seat / licence.
• Own laptop/PC capable of handling large assemblies (recommended: modern multi-core CPU, 32GB+ RAM, SSD, CAD GPU). Brief spec in reply is fine