Senior Mechanical Engineer

Scientis Search Ltd; Eynsham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Adaptive Optical Systems in Oxfordshire is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to define and deliver complex precision mechanical and opto-mechanical systems from concept to manufacture.

You will work with optics, materials science and manufacturing experts to ensure performance, repeatability and manufacturability, guiding key reviews and design for manufacture.

This role offers the opportunity to shape next-generation adaptive optics and contribute to scalable production.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical/Precision Engineering or related field.
• Experience designing precision mechanical and opto-mechanical systems.
• Expertise in tolerance analysis, GD&T and engineering calculations.
• CAD using SolidWorks and FEA knowledge.
• Experience in cross-disciplinary teams and manufacturing integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of precision mechanical and opto-mechanical systems from concept through production.
• Define mechanical architectures and develop precision mechanisms.
• Apply tolerance analysis, GD&T and engineering calculations to validate designs.
• Lead technical workstreams and reviews across optics, materials science, manufacturing and systems engineering.
• Design for Manufacture (DfM), industrialisation and pilot production.
• Drive engineering best practices and continuous improvement.

Skills

Precision mechanics

Tolerance analysis

GD&T

FEA

SolidWorks CAD

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Design for Manufacture

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical/Precision Engineering

PhD in Mechanical/Precision Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA software

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Precision Systems

Adaptive Optical Systems | Oxfordshire

The most innovative optical technologies rely on exceptional mechanical engineering.

We're developing a new generation of adaptive optical technology and are seeking an outstanding Senior Precision Mechanical Engineer to define the precision mechanical systems that sit at the heart of our adaptive lens platform.

Working alongside specialists in optics, materials science, chemistry and manufacturing, you'll solve genuinely complex engineering problems where precision, repeatability and manufacturability are fundamental to success.

Success depends on developing precision mechanical systems that integrate seamlessly with advanced optical and materials technologies, requiring careful consideration of kinematics, stability, manufacturability and long-term repeatability. Every engineering decision influences system performance.

About US

We are a highly innovative deep-technology company developing advanced optical technologies based on proprietary soft optical materials and fluid-filled adaptive optical systems.

Operating at the intersection of optics, materials science, chemistry and precision engineering, we develop technologies for adaptive optics, AR/VR, ophthalmics and next-generation optical systems.

Recognised as pioneers in adaptive lens technology, we partner with leading global consumer electronics, technology and medical device companies to develop new ways of optimising how people see the world.

Having successfully demonstrated our technology, we are now transitioning breakthrough science into robust, manufacturable products. This is a rare opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team developing technology with genuine global impact.

The Role

As Senior Mechanical Engineer, you'll take technical ownership of the design, development and delivery of complex precision mechanical and opto-mechanical systems from concept through to manufacture.

You'll define mechanical architectures, develop sophisticated precision mechanisms and lead major engineering workstreams, ensuring solutions meet demanding performance, manufacturing and reliability requirements.

Working across the full product lifecycle, you'll collaborate closely with experts in optics, materials science, chemistry, manufacturing and systems engineering to develop fully integrated product solutions.

Beyond design, you'll lead technical reviews, contribute to engineering governance, support supplier development and help drive products from prototype through pilot manufacture into scalable production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of precision mechanical and opto-mechanical systems from concept through production.
• Define mechanical architectures and develop sophisticated precision mechanisms.
• Apply engineering analysis, tolerance analysis, GD&T and FEA to validate designs.
• Lead technical workstreams, design reviews and engineering decision making. Collaborate across optics, materials science, manufacturing and systems engineering. Support supplier development.
• Design for Manufacture (DfM), industrialisation and pilot production.
• Drive engineering best practice and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

This role demands exceptional analytical ability and a genuine passion for precision engineering. You'll have built your career developing technically demanding products where mechanical performance and precision are critical. Most likely, you'll hold a Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Precision Engineering or a closely related discipline. An education from Oxbridge or another leading Russell Group university would be advantageous, although we're ultimately looking for engineers with exceptional technical ability and engineering judgement.

Your experience is likely to include:

• Precision mechanical system design from concept through manufacture.
• Precision mechanisms where kinematics, constrained motion, degrees of freedom and precision positioning define system performance.
• Tolerance analysis, GD&T and engineering calculations.
• Precision assemblies incorporating flexures, compliant mechanisms, bearings, gears, threads and precision linkages.
• Design for Manufacture, materials selection and manufacturing processes.
• CAD (ideally SolidWorks) together with engineering analysis and FEA.
• Working across multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver complex integrated systems.

Experience within adaptive optics, opto-mechanics, scientific instrumentation, precision engineering, medical devices or photonics would be highly advantageous.

Why Join Us?

Few engineering roles offer the opportunity to define the mechanical architecture of an entirely new technology.

This role is for engineers who enjoy solving fundamental mechanical problems rather than simply designing components. Engineers who understand that every degree of freedom, every tolerance and every design decision contributes directly to the performance of a complex system.

If you're looking for an opportunity to develop world-leading adaptive optical technology alongside exceptional scientists and engineers, we'd like to hear from you.