Mechanical Design Engineer

Purpose of the job

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, the postholder will be responsible for the development and design of new mechanical equipment to improve quality, safety and output. Having the ability to solve existing equipment issues and provide innovative solutions and designs will be crucial in this role.

In addition, responsibility for management of capital projects and providing support to the production process by assessing and troubleshooting systems already installed is pivotal.

Key Performance Metrics

• Completion of projects within time, cost and quality agreed
• Adherence to mechanical and safety standards
• Success of design solutions from concept to execution
• Completion of mechanical risk assessments
• Appropriate vendor and consulting support engaged when needed

Responsibilities

• To design equipment and processes to improve process performance and safety and be able to offer advice to others on equipment selection and specification
• Define, plan, and organize all aspects of a project including financial evaluation, control of budgets and timescales to meet the stated objectives of that project
• Be able to generate prototype designs, conduct testing, quantify and justify the preferred design
• Perform commissioning and testing of new plant or systems, assessing their suitability for their stated purpose, and monitoring the performance once the system is live
• Provide advice, support, and training to Production and Maintenance departments
• Supervise and control any external contractors that are utilized both on and off-site during project life cycles to ensure that they are working to timescales, budgets and design criteria
• Maintain and control a technical file for each project with appropriate risk assessments, drawings, training records, handover documents etc
• The ability to generate technical drawings, using 3D modelling programs, preferably Solid Edge
• Having a hands-on approach to seeing design through to delivery and training maintenance/operations

Skills:

• Engineering design skills with a hands-on and innovative approach to problem solving are essential
• Should have good all round project management skills and be able to ensure completion of multiple concurrent projects within the stated boundaries of cost, time and quality
• Must be able to communicate and influence effectively at all levels, both internally and externally

Knowledge:

• Should have working knowledge of machinery design codes and safety standards
• Practical knowledge of 3D modelling, preferably Solid Edge
• Offer advice in mechanical engineering and design to others in the engineering department and company

Experience:

• Should be educated to BS level in Mechanical Engineering, with over 5 years of experience within the continuous manufacturing environment, preferably food and drink
• Must be experienced with revision control and preservation of CAD files
• Familiarity with AutoCAD would be advantageous for this role