Senior Mechanical Engineer

SPD Development Company Ltd; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics in Bedford, UK is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the full product lifecycle from concept through to manufacture and launch within a multidisciplinary R&D team.

This hybrid role (3 days on site) involves developing robust, manufacturable designs, managing risk with FMEA, supporting Design Transfer, and coordinating with global suppliers.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience in product development, design transfer and manufacturing / process engineering.
• Experience in regulated industries, ideally medical devices or diagnostics.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, IVDR and FDA requirements.
• Strong analytical skills including tolerance analysis and FEA.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software, ideally SolidWorks.
• Excellent communication and technical reporting skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the resolution of complex mechanical engineering challenges.
• Develop innovative product designs using DFM and DFA principles.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, specifications and reports.
• Lead risk management activities including Risk Assessments and FMEA.
• Plan and oversee testing and validation activities.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and manufacturing partners, including those in China.
• Design and manufacture jigs, fixtures and test equipment.
• Develop scalable prototype assembly and manufacturing processes.
• Conduct engineering analyses including tolerance stack-ups and FEA.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models and drawings using SolidWorks.
• Manage prototype and tooling development through suppliers.
• Support innovation and patent activities with IP specialists.
• Design and improve manufacturing processes for safety, quality and cost efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement projects using Six Sigma methodologies.
• Produce manufacturing documentation and work instructions.
• Support Design Transfer and new product introduction activities.
• Investigate manufacturing issues using root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Support process validation, equipment validation and production scale-up.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

DFM

Tolerance analysis

FMEA

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA

3D CAD

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Bedford, UK Hybrid Working

£50,000 – £60,000 + Bonus + Benefits

We are looking for an experienced and innovative Senior Mechanical Engineer to help develop the next generation of fertility and pregnancy products. Based in Bedford, you will play a key role in product development from concept through to manufacture and launch, working within a multidisciplinary R&D team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an Engineer who enjoys solving technical challenges, driving innovation and contributing to products that positively impact people's lives.

About SPD

Swiss Precision Diagnostics (SPD) is a global leader in consumer diagnostics and the joint venture between Procter and Gamble (P&G) and Abbott. Our Clearblue brand is recognised worldwide for accurate home pregnancy and fertility monitoring products.

The Role

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across the full product lifecycle, from concept development and prototyping through to manufacture and product launch. You will work closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to develop robust, manufacturable designs while ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards.

You will also support process engineering activities, helping transfer new products into manufacturing and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Engineering

• Lead the resolution of complex mechanical engineering challenges.
• Develop innovative product designs using DFM and DFA principles.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, specifications and reports.
• Lead risk management activities including Risk Assessments and FMEA.
• Plan and oversee testing and validation activities.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and manufacturing partners, including those in China.
• Design and manufacture jigs, fixtures and test equipment.
• Develop scalable prototype assembly and manufacturing processes.
• Conduct engineering analyses including tolerance stack-ups and FEA.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models and drawings using SolidWorks.
• Manage prototype and tooling development through suppliers.
• Support innovation and patent activities with IP specialists.

Process Engineering

• Design and improve manufacturing processes for safety, quality and cost efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement projects using Six Sigma methodologies.
• Produce manufacturing documentation and work instructions.
• Support Design Transfer and new product introduction activities.
• Investigate manufacturing issues using root cause analysis and CAPA.
• Support process validation, equipment validation and production scale-up.

About You

Essential

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience in product development, design transfer and manufacturing / process engineering.
• Experience working within regulated industries, ideally medical devices or diagnostics.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, IVDR and FDA requirements.
• Strong analytical skills including tolerance analysis and FEA.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software, ideally SolidWorks.
• Excellent communication and technical reporting skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Medical device or diagnostics product development experience.
• Knowledge of process and equipment validation.
• Experience applying DFM and DFA principles.
• Understanding of DoE, Six Sigma and continuous improvement tools.
• Experience supporting manufacturing optimisation and regulatory compliance.

What You'll Bring

• Proactive problem-solving approach.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence technical decisions and deliver results.
• Passion for innovation and engineering excellence.

Additional Information

• International travel required several times per year.

What We Offer

• Hybrid working (3 days on site, 2 from home)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Private Medical Insurance and medical cash plan
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Health and Wellbeing programme
• Life assurance
• Free electric vehicle charging
• Attractive parkland location with excellent links to Cambridge, Milton Keynes and London