Senior Mechanical Development Engineer

Rayner; Worthing; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site Restaurant

Private Healthcare

Monthly Massages

On-site Parking

Annual Wellbeing Reimbursement

Pension Plan

Cycle-to-work Scheme

Enhanced Parental Pay

Referral Bonus

Job summary

Rayner in Worthing, UK, seeks a Senior Mechanical Development Engineer to lead the technical development of ophthalmic devices, including Phaco accessories and VR instruments. You will own projects from concept through design transfer and release, ensuring design control compliance and robust DHFs.

You will collaborate with surgeons, suppliers and cross-functional teams, oversee verification activities, drive continuous improvement, and maintain high engineering standards in a regulated medical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Knowledge of design control and medical device development.
• Experience creating and maintaining DHFs.
• Experience leading projects with supplier qualification.
• Experience planning product verification testing.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in CAD and engineering drawing standards.
• Hands-on problem solving and decision making.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication.
• Experience with ophthalmic surgical devices or similar.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical lead for the Phaco and VR portfolio through product lifecycle.
• Lead mechanical design from concept to release.
• Own product performance and design improvements.
• Support lifecycle management including changes and obsolescence.
• Provide technical leadership for cross-functional teams.
• Deliver work packages per Design Control procedures.
• Create and maintain DHFs in line with regulations.
• Define verification strategies and protocols for tests.
• Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge.

Skills

Mechanical design

Design control

DHFs

Supplier management

Verification testing

Documentation

CAD

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

GD&T knowledge

Job description

The Senior Mechanical Development Engineer is responsible for the technical leadership, development, and lifecycle management of a portfolio of ophthalmic surgical products, including phacoemulsification (Phaco) accessories and vitreoretinal (VR) instruments. Leads on technical engagement with new and existing suppliers, establishing robust design history documentation, and drives verification activities through to successful product release within a regulated medical device environment. Works in multidisciplinary project teams from across the company as well as collaborating externally with surgeons, inventors, research groups and universities.

Please note that this role is based on-site at Global HQ in Worthing, West Sussex.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Acts as the technical lead and subject matter expert for the Phaco accessory and VR instrument portfolio, providing ownership throughout the product lifecycle from new product development to sustaining engineering.
• Leads the mechanical design and development of new products, technologies, and product enhancements from concept through design transfer and commercial release.
• Takes ownership of product performance, manufacturability, reliability, and ongoing design improvements.
• Supports product lifecycle management activities, including design changes, obsolescence management, supplier changes, and continuous improvement projects.
• Provides technical leadership for cross-functional project teams.
• Delivers and reports on work packages within the scope of established Design Control procedures.
• Creates and maintains Design History Files (DHFs) in accordance with company procedures and applicable medical device regulations.
• Defines verification strategies and acceptance criteria. Develops verification protocols and test methods for Phaco accessories and VR instruments. Analyses test results and determines compliance against design requirements.
• Maintains a high standard of professional and technical knowledge by attending educational training/workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing networks, and participating in professional societies.

What Experience & Skills You Will Need:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of design control and medical device development processes.
• Experience creating and maintaining Design History Files (DHFs).
• Experience leading engineering projects involving supplier qualification or manufacturing transfer.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing product verification testing.
• Strong experience producing engineering documentation and technical reports.
• Proficiency in CAD and engineering drawing standards.
• Hands‑on approach to problem‑solving, root cause analysis, and technical decision‑making.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• Experienced in design and development of ophthalmic surgical devices, phacoemulsification systems, surgical instruments or disposable medical devices, sterile barrier packaging.
• Experienced in high precision metal component design, CNC machining, and testing.
• Experienced in small plastic component design, injection moulding, vacuum form moulding and testing.
• Experience of working with international suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Understanding of process validation, and process qualification activities.
• Familiarity with relevant medical device standards including ISO 13485 (Design Control section), ISO60601-1 and -2, ISO 80601-2-58, ISO 62366, and applicable packaging and transport standards.

What We Can Offer You:

• On-site Restaurant for affordable, convenient meals
• Private Healthcare (access to remote GP & Counselling) for peace of mind
• Monthly Massages to relax and recharge
• On-site Parking for convenience and cost efficiency
• Annual Wellbeing Reimbursement to care for your mind and body
• Pension Plan to secure your future
• Cycle-to-work Scheme to stay active and eco-friendly
• Enhanced Parental Pay to support new families
• Referral Bonus to benefit from recommending talent