Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

DiPOLE Systems Ltd; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee share options

Job summary

DiPOLE Systems is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the mechanical development of next‑generation laser systems at Harwell Campus, Didcot. You will own key design decisions and work with scientists to deliver robust, manufacturable hardware.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and help scale the product from prototype to production while maintaining safety, compliance and documentation standards.

Qualifications

• Strong mechanical CAD experience (Solid Edge preferred; strong equivalents considered).
• Structural design capability, including analysis/FEA and sound engineering judgement for joints, interfaces and assemblies.
• Experience taking complex equipment from prototype through build/test and towards repeatable manufacture (or clear evidence you can lead that transition).
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and making pragmatic trade‑offs, communicating clearly as you go.
• A strong safety and compliance mindset, with clear technical communication and documentation habits.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of advanced laser systems from concept through to build, test, manufacture and deployment.
• Own critical design decisions and trade‑offs across performance, reliability, cost and manufacturability.
• Plan and execute structural/thermal/dynamic analysis to de‑risk designs (hands‑on and/or through specialist support).
• Drive design for safety and compliance (pressure/vacuum, lifting, export‑control aware environments, etc.).
• Work day‑to‑day with optical, electrical and systems engineers to deliver integrated, testable subsystems.
• Shape productisation: modularity, serviceability, documentation, supplier engagement and build readiness.
• Mentor and support other engineers as the team grows; set a high bar for engineering quality.

Skills

Mechanical CAD

Structural design

Prototype to manufacture

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Safety & compliance mindset

Tools

Solid Edge

Job description

DiPOLE Systems

DiPOLE Systems develops advanced laser systems for deployment in advanced manufacturing, energy and defence. The mechanical challenge is substantial: creating hardware that is precise, stable and manufacturable, while enabling the performance, reliability and serviceability those applications demand.

About DiPOLE Systems

We’re a venture‑backed deep tech company building high‑performance laser systems that run at both high power and high repetition rates. We spun out from core IP developed at STFC’s Central Laser Facility and we’re focused on translating breakthrough science and technology into equipment that can be manufactured, deployed and supported in the field. DIPOLE systems are already deployed at leading international facilities.

Why now

We’ve closed our seed round and we’re scaling the engineering team to productise what’s already been demonstrated in the lab—turning advanced prototype assemblies into robust products we can manufacture, deploy and support at scale.

The role

We’re hiring a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the mechanical development of our next‑generation, productised laser systems. You’ll be hands‑on, trusted with important decisions, and supported by a multidisciplinary team—owning key design choices and engineering trade‑offs. You’ll work closely with our scientists and help grow the engineering team, reporting to our Chief Product Officer (CPO).

What Success Looks Like

You’ll help us turn complex prototype builds into repeatable, manufacturable products—raising robustness, serviceability and compliance without compromising performance. You will use your strong engineering judgement and willingness to learn with us through our journey.

What You’ll Do

• Lead mechanical design of advanced laser systems from concept through to build, test, manufacture and deployment
• Own critical design decisions and trade‑offs across performance, reliability, cost and manufacturability
• Plan and execute structural/thermal/dynamic analysis to de‑risk designs (hands‑on and/or through specialist support)
• Drive design for safety and compliance (pressure/vacuum, lifting, export‑control aware environments, etc.)
• Work day‑to‑day with optical, electrical and systems engineers to deliver integrated, testable subsystems
• Shape productisation: modularity, serviceability, documentation, supplier engagement and build readiness
• Mentor and support other engineers as the team grows; set a high bar for engineering quality

What you’ll bring

• Strong mechanical CAD experience (Solid Edge preferred; strong equivalents considered)
• Structural design capability, including analysis/FEA and sound engineering judgement for joints, interfaces and assemblies
• Experience taking complex equipment from prototype through build/test and towards repeatable manufacture (or clear evidence you can lead that transition)
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and making pragmatic trade‑offs, communicating clearly as you go
• A strong safety and compliance mindset, with clear technical communication and documentation habits

Desirable

• Cryogenics (down to ~77K) and/or refrigeration system design
• High/ultra‑high vacuum design (to ~10⁻⁷ mbar): sealing strategies, component selection, system architecture
• High‑pressure gas systems (e.g., helium to ~30 barg) and pressure equipment standards (e.g., PED / EN 13445)
• Precision mechanisms and opto‑mechanics (alignment, stability, pressure windows)
• Lifting design/handling considerations (e.g., LOLER) and practical integration for deployment environments
• Fluid systems (water/oil) including good practice around contamination control and Legionella risk
• Structured engineering risk methods (e.g., FMEA, HAZOP) and design review leadership
• Vibration and noise management for precision equipment

Why join DiPOLE

• Be early in a venture‑backed deep tech company as we go from prototype to product—and set the standard for how we engineer
• Work on technology that’s already proven in real‑world environments
• Own big decisions: you’ll set direction as well as deliver
• Work directly with senior leadership and influence product strategy
• Help grow the team: mentor others and build the foundations (process, quality bar, ways of working)
• We move fast, but we value sustainable pace, thoughtful design reviews and strong documentation
• Based at Harwell Campus (Didcot) — mainly on‑site because we build, test and iterate on real hardware
• Develop ambitious dual‑use technology at the frontier of innovation.
• We care deeply about how we work together: respectful challenge, clear communication, and good decision‑making matter as much to us as technical brilliance.

Compensation & Practicalities

• Salary: £70,000 – £85,000 (depending on experience)
• Equity: employee share options (we expect to offer options as part of the package; exact grant depends on experience and will be discussed during the process)

Typically, options vest over time (often with a 1‑year cliff); we’ll confirm the scheme and terms during the process.

• Based at Harwell Campus, Didcot
• Primarily on‑site, reflecting the hands‑on nature of the work
• Flexible working arrangements supported where compatible with lab, build and test activity

Hiring process

We aim to run a clear process: an application form (where appropriate), an initial call, a technical interview, and a practical/design discussion (we’ll share what to expect in advance). We’re happy to make reasonable adjustments for candidates who need them.