Mechanical Engineer

Roc Search Europe Limited; North Hertfordshire; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a hybrid role, focusing on the development of a new trolley's folding mechanism. The contractor will need to have extensive experience in mechanical design (5+ years), particularly with mechanisms and SolidWorks. Responsibilities include creating detailed models, drawings, leading prototyping efforts, and ensuring manufacturability. A SolidWorks license and capable PC are mandatory for applicants.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in mechanical design, focused on mechanisms.
• Proven SolidWorks application, ideally in large assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate folding mechanisms for new trolley.
• Create SolidWorks models, drawings, and BOM.
• Lead prototype assembly and hands-on testing.

Skills

Mechanisms

Mechanical linkages

SolidWorks expertise

GD&T knowledge

FEA basics

Prototyping experience

Workshop awareness

Communication skills

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