Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

NTER TALENT; Hitchin; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking food technology company in Hitchin is looking for a Design Engineer to lead innovation in food manufacturing. You will design automated systems, prototype solutions, and mentor junior engineers to improve project outcomes. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience and expertise in CAD and electromechanical systems. Join us to help shape the future of food production.

Qualifications

• 5+ years as a design/delivery engineer in electromechanical systems, automation, or similar.
• Expertise in CAD and producing detailed, production-ready designs.
• Experience with hands-on prototyping and testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and deliver electromechanical systems.
• Produce top-tier CAD models, drawings, and specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead project timelines.

Skills

Design leadership

CAD expertise

Hands-on prototyping

Project management

Mentorship

Job description

Overview

Our Client - One Good Thing

At OGT, we're not just rethinking food, we're reinventing how it's made. From our world-first wrapper-free, oat-based energy bar to cutting-edge coating and moulding tech, we're building the future of clean, sustainable performance nutrition. That means creating entirely new production systems - and that's where you come in.

Why OGT?

Because we're engineering the future of food manufacturing. We're not just scaling what exists, we're inventing what comes next. This is your chance to:

• Work on novel, first-of-their-kind systems.
• See your designs go from CAD → prototype → live production.
• Mentor and shape the next generation of engineers.
• Be part of a business where innovation isn\'t a buzzword, it\'s the job.

Why This Role Exists

Our ambition is big:

• Strengthen and scale our existing hardware.
• Design the next generation of automated manufacturing systems.
• Pioneer novel solutions in coating, spraying, and soft food moulding that keep us ahead of the pack.

What You\'ll Actually Do

You won\'t be just drawing parts, you\'ll be leading innovation:

• Design, prototype & deliver: Own the full lifecycle of electromechanical systems and automated manufacturing equipment.
• CAD leadership: Produce top-tier models, drawings, BOMs, and specifications that stand up to scrutiny.
• Prototype & test: Build, break, and iterate until robust production-ready solutions are achieved.
• Mentor engineers: Share your knowledge, guide juniors, and raise the bar across the team.
• Own projects: Manage timelines, reporting, and technical outcomes with minimal supervision.
• Hands-on problem solving: Jump in on asset care and operations until dedicated teams are established.
• Collaborate cross-functionally: Work with R&D, Operations, and Engineering to keep projects moving at pace.

How You\'ll Know You\'ve Won

• Projects delivered: On time, to spec, within resources.
• Engineering excellence: Robust CAD, BOMs, and documentation.
• Innovation realised: Prototypes that become production assets.
• Team impact: Junior engineers growing under your mentorship.
• Market leadership maintained: Novel solutions keeping OGT ahead.

Who You Are

• 5+ years as a design/delivery engineer in electromechanical systems, automation, or pressurised fluid systems (bonus if in FMCG/food).
• CAD expert with a proven track record in delivering detailed, production-ready designs.
• Hands-on prototyping & testing experience (3+ years).
• Skilled at documentation, structured engineering methods (PDM, version control, QA).
• Confident project leader who can manage multiple streams independently.
• A mentor, communicator, and collaborator who makes teams better.
• Adaptable in a fast-moving, high-change environment.

Extra Points If You\'ve

• Worked with food coatings, liquid layers, or related FMCG equipment.
• Experience in simple electrical systems (wiring, harnesses, panels).
• A track record of innovation in automated production line systems