Senior Staff R&D Mechanical Engineer

Sava; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SAVA, a London-based biosensing startup, is hiring a senior R&D Mechanical Engineer to own experimental and analytical work supporting wearable sensor development. You will set test strategy, select equipment, and translate data into engineering decisions that shape the product.

You will mentor juniors, lead cross-functional testing, simulations, and root-cause analyses of failure modes, collaborating with biomaterials and data science teams to advance real-world device performance.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in mechanical engineering or closely related field.
• 6+ years hands-on experimental R&D, including time in a relevant industry.
• Track record of leading technical workstreams from open questions to clear outcomes.
• Deep expertise in experimental design and a good understanding of statistical approaches.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals.
• Experience with mechanical and materials testing.
• Confidence in designing test fixtures and prototypes (CAD, 3D printing, machining).
• Fluent data analysis in Python, MATLAB, Minitab, JMP or similar.
• Sound engineering judgement: make good calls with incomplete data and defend rationale.
• Mature approach to engineering risk and progress with mitigations.
• Practical approach to fast-paced engineering development with rigorous testing.

Responsibilities

• Own major workstreams feeding product development, including material testing and subsystem modelling.
• Lead root cause analyses to understand failure modes and implement solutions.
• Champion SOPs for experimental methods, statistics and modelling.
• Lead selection, evaluation and qualification of new test equipment and document methods.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering on investigative and verification testing.
• Work with Biomaterials, Data Science and Clinical teams to drive progress.
• Communicate results and recommendations to leadership clearly.
• Mentor, lead and train junior engineers in experimental design and analysis.

Skills

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Python data analysis

CAD

Lab leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD (general)

3D printing

Machining

FEA/CFD software (ANSYS/COMSOL/Abaqus)

Job description

All the health information we need is within us. Just below the skin. SAVA is redefining the way people interact with their health by developing the most advanced biosensing technology science has to offer, capable of accessing bodily information in a painless, real-time and affordable way.

About SAVA

All the health information we need is within us. Just below the skin. SAVA is redefining the way people interact with their health by developing the most advanced biosensing technology science has to offer, capable of accessing bodily information in a painless, real-time and affordable way.

The Role

We are hiring a senior R&D Mechanical Engineer to own and lead experimental and analytical work to support the development of our wearable sensor. You will set experimental strategy, own the selection and sourcing of test equipment, and turn complex data into clear engineering decisions that shape the product. More generally, you will also support R&D efforts through research, analysis, modeling and simulation, as required to support engineering development.

The technical challenges for this role are far-reaching and diverse. Some examples include understanding adhesive interfaces with the skin, modelling how the body interacts with our sensors, mechanically simulating our product under stress conditions, and carrying out root cause analyses of some of our most elusive technical challenges.

You will be a technical authority in the team, mentoring others and setting an example for how we carry out R&D with creativity and rigour. You will be expected to be comfortable with desk-based analysis, lab-based experiments, technical planning, reporting of technical results, and leading others in their work.

Suitable candidates may be considered for a Team Lead role.

What You'll Do

• Own major workstreams that feed directly into product development, such as functional testing of materials, modelling of device subsystems, and simulation of component interactions.


• Lead root cause analyses to fully understand failure modes, and subsequently implement engineering solutions.


• Champion best-practices and define SOPs for experimental methods, statistical analyses and modeling approaches.


• Where necessary, lead the selection, evaluation and qualification of new test equipment, and author the methods and SOPs behind it.


• Work with the Product Engineering Team on investigative and verification testing.


• Collaborate with other teams across the business (e.g. Biomaterials, Data Science, Clinical etc.) to drive technical progress, whether this be in the form of bench testing, theoretical analysis or internal clinical trials focusing on real-world device performance.


• Effectively communicate results and recommendations to the leadership team.


• Mentor, lead and train junior engineers on experimental design, statistical analysis and good lab / workshop practices.

What You'll Bring

• A Masters or PhD in mechanical engineering or a closely related field.


• 6+ years of hands-on experimental R&D, including time in a relevant industry.


• A track record of leading technical workstreams from open questions to clear outcomes.


• Deep expertise in experimental design and a good understanding of statistical approaches.


• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals.


• Experience with mechanical and materials testing.


• Confidence in designing test fixtures and prototypes (CAD, 3D printing, machining).


• Fluent data analysis in Python, MATLAB, Minitab, JMP or similar.


• Sound engineering judgement: be able to make good calls even with incomplete data and defend your rationale.


• A mature approach to engineering risk: be able to thoroughly analyse risks as relevant to different development stages, and drive progress with appropriate mitigations.


• A practical approach to fast-paced engineering development: balance quick, informative experiments and intuitive engineering judgement with rigorous testing and documented engineering development.


• A thirst for knowledge: Gaps in experience should be filled through research, continuous learning, and active exposure to new areas of engineering.

Bonus Points

• Exposure to medical device development (ISO 13485, design controls, verification testing).


• Experience with simulation software (FEA, CFD), such as ANSYS, COMSOL, Abaqus or similar.


• Experience in tolerance analysis.


• Previous work in a fast-paced and agile workplace, such as another engineering startup.


• Expertise in a specialist engineering field, such as polymer science, soft materials simulation or microfabrication techniques.


• Experience leading engineering teams and/or projects.


• Experience setting up a lab or specifying capital equipment.