Mechanical Engineer

Darwin Recruitment; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to drive design, development and industrialisation of high-performance mechanical systems. You will translate complex challenges into manufacturable solutions, collaborate with software, electronics and manufacturing partners, and own key engineering decisions across the lifecycle.

The role offers hands-on ownership in a fast-paced, technically challenging environment with opportunities to influence product architecture and production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, Mechatronics.
• Strong experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks or Fusion 360.
• Knowledge of manufacturing techniques including CNC machining, injection moulding and additive manufacturing.
• Good understanding of materials and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make independent technical decisions and take ownership of engineering challenges.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Hands‑on and results‑driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex mechanical systems and subsystems, including housings and mounting solutions.
• Translate requirements into robust technical designs with manufacturability in mind.
• Balance performance, manufacturability, cost and scalability for production.
• Define and maintain engineering standards and design principles.
• Contribute to modular and future-proof product architectures.
• Lead prototype development and test setups, including rapid prototyping.
• Develop mechanical, thermal and vibration testing methodologies and analyze results.
• Validate integration of mechanicals with electronics and software.
• Translate concepts into production-ready designs using DFM and DFA principles.
• Monitor quality, cost and production lead times.
• Lead technical discussions with external suppliers.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Hands-on mindset

Independent decision making

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, Mechatronics

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Job description

Mechanical Engineer

Location: Netherlands

Industry: Deep Tech / Advanced Technology

Overview

We are working with an innovative and rapidly growing deep-tech company developing advanced physical technology products.

They are looking to hire a Mechanical Engineer at mid to senior level to play a key role in the design, development and industrialisation of high-performance mechanical systems and components.

This is a highly hands-on position offering significant technical ownership. You will be responsible for translating complex technical challenges into practical, scalable and manufacturable solutions, while contributing to product architecture and key engineering decisions throughout the development lifecycle.

Working within a multidisciplinary environment, you will collaborate closely with software, electronics, product development and external manufacturing partners to take products from early concepts through prototyping, validation and production.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & System Development

• Design and develop complex mechanical systems and subsystems, including housings, structural components and mounting solutions.

• Translate functional and system-level requirements into robust technical designs.

• Balance technical performance, manufacturability, cost and scalability.

• Define and maintain engineering standards and design principles.

• Contribute to modular and future-proof product architectures.

Prototyping, Testing & Validation

• Lead and support prototype development, including rapid prototyping and test setups.

• Develop and analyse mechanical, thermal, vibration and usability testing methodologies.

• Interpret test results and implement design improvements.

• Validate the integration of mechanical systems with electronics and software.

Industrialisation & Production

• Translate engineering concepts into production‑ready designs using DFM and DFA principles.

• Assess appropriate manufacturing processes and materials.

• Select and manage suppliers and manufacturing partners.

• Create and maintain technical documentation, including drawings, specifications and Bills of Materials.

• Monitor quality, cost and production lead times.

• At senior level, contribute to the optimisation of production processes and lead technical discussions with external suppliers.

Integration & Collaboration

• Coordinate mechanical integration across the wider product.

• Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Align mechanical interfaces and requirements with hardware and software teams.

• Identify technical risks, dependencies and integration challenges.

Innovation & Technical Development

• Drive continuous technical improvements and explore new applications.

• Investigate and apply new materials and manufacturing technologies.

• Contribute to the continued development of the company’s core technology.

• At senior level, act as a technical advisor and sparring partner to leadership.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.

• Strong experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar tools.

• Knowledge of manufacturing techniques including CNC machining, injection moulding and additive manufacturing.

• Good understanding of materials and manufacturing processes.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to make independent technical decisions and take ownership of engineering challenges.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.

• Hands‑on and results‑driven mindset.

Experience

• Mid-level: Approximately 3-6 years of experience in product development, mechanical engineering or R&D.

• Senior level: 6+ years of experience, including responsibility for complete designs, systems or significant engineering projects.

• Experience within a startup, scale‑up or technically complex product‑development environment would be highly beneficial.

Beneficial

• Knowledge or experience relating to acoustics or vibration.

• Experience working in multidisciplinary product-development teams.

• Experience taking products from concept and prototype stages through to industrialisation and production.

• Dutch professional working proficiency.

• Strong written and verbal English skills.

• German language skills would be advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join an innovative technology environment moving from advanced development into productisation and commercial scale‑up.

You will have a high degree of autonomy and technical ownership, with the opportunity to make a direct impact on product development from early‑stage concepts through to market‑ready solutions. The environment is fast‑paced and technically challenging, with changing priorities and significant scope for professional growth.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.