Product Development Technician

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 47,527,000 - 52,349,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Healthcare cashback

Pension scheme

Life insurance

Gym discount

On-site parking

Job summary

Niftylift is seeking a hands-on Product Development Technician to contribute to the development of innovative Mobile Elevating Work Platforms. You will build prototype equipment, work with engineers and testers, and help translate concepts into working machines.

The role emphasizes mechanical, hydraulic and electrical assembly, collaboration across teams and a focus on manufacturability and reliability of future MEWP products.

Qualifications

• Relevant engineering qualification (HNC/HND or completed apprenticeship) with practical experience.
• Experience assembling mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems.
• Good understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical docs.

Responsibilities

• Build prototype and development MEWPs and support production integration.
• Assemble mechanical, hydraulic and electrical components.
• Collaborate with Design Engineers to implement improvements and resolve build issues.
• Provide feedback to improve manufacturability, serviceability and efficiency.
• Maintain a clean, safe working environment in Development, Test & Validation.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Hydraulic assembly

Electrical assembly

Engineering drawings reading

Hand & power tools

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

Engineering qualification (HNC/HND or Apprenticeship)

Job description

Location: On site / Milton Keynes, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Engineering | Mechanical
HourlyFixed salary:£ 16.64
Salary details: Increasing with Experience

About Niftylift

Niftylift is a privately owned UK company founded in 1985. Through continuous innovation, engineering excellence and sustained growth we have become one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs). With more than 75% of our products exported worldwide, we support customers across 40 countries through an extensive sales and dealer network. Today, our success is driven by more than 400 employees across our three UK centres of excellence and manufacturing sites.

About the Role

We are looking for a talented, hands-on Product Development Technician to support the development of innovative Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of product development, building early concept prototypes and development machines that help shape future products.

Working closely with Engineers, Technicians and Test & Validation specialists, you will bring new product concepts to life through mechanical, hydraulic and electrical assembly activities, playing a key role in turning engineering designs into functional machines.

As part of your role, you will assemble prototype and development equipment, support the implementation of new design concepts, and provide practical feedback to help optimise products for manufacturability, serviceability, reliability and performance. You will also help identify and resolve build issues, support design changes and ensure machines are constructed to the required specification.

This position offers the opportunity to work across a wide range of projects and contribute directly to the development of future MEWP products.

This role is ideal for an experienced technician who enjoys hands-on problem-solving, collaborative working and transforming engineering concepts into working machines.

What the Role Entails

• Building and assembling prototype and development MEWPs.
• Supporting mechanical, hydraulic and electrical development activities.
• Working closely with Design Engineers to develop component layouts, implement design improvements and resolve practical build issues.
• Using your practical experience to provide feedback and identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, serviceability and efficiency.
• Supporting design changes and continuous product improvement throughout the development process.
• Maintaining a clean, organised and safe working environment within the Development, Test & Validation facility.
• Supporting Environmental, Health and Safety requirements and contributing to your own development and the continued growth of the wider team.

What We Are Looking For

• A relevant Engineering qualification, such as an HNC, HND or completed apprenticeship, supported by appropriate practical experience.
• Practical experience in mechanical, hydraulic and electrical assembly, with a good understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Confident and proficient in the use of a wide range of hand and power tools.
• A basic understanding of hydraulics and electrical systems, with the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and solve practical problems with limited information.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good time-management skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities, challenges and project requirements.
• Strong attention to detail, with a focus on accuracy, quality and maintaining clear records where required.

What We Offer

• A competitive hourly paid salary, with opportunities for overtime when business requirements allow.
• A comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (increasing with service), a healthcare cashback scheme, 5% contributory pension scheme, life insurance, discounted gym memberships, premium-rate overtime and free on-site parking.
• The opportunity to work on innovative new products and future MEWP developments.
• A varied, hands-on role with involvement from early concepts through to production line integration.
• Opportunities for training, development and career progression.
• The chance to work as part of an experienced Engineering, Development and Test & Validation team.