Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

We are currently looking for a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Hemel Hempstead R&D team, bringing expertise in mechanical design and experience in packaging electronic and or scientific components for harsh environments.

If you're experienced with advanced manufacturing methods and thrive in a dynamic, innovative environment, this role is for you.

This is a hybrid role that requires site presence a minimum of 3 days a week.

Due to the sensitive nature of the projects you will be working on, we would also need to put you through SC level clearance. This means, we can not consider applicants that require sponsorship now or in the future.

You will plan, design and execute the mechanical design of high quality, high demand products sold into a regulated environment. Ensuring the products are safe, functional, and commercially viable.

This will require the candidate to be able to:

• Generate concept designs for technology development projects.
  • Collaborate with scientists and engineers in the design, development and testing of experimental hardware.
  • Develop technical requirement specifications.
• Understand and interpret technical requirement specifications.
  • Generate concept designs to meet technical requirements specifications.
• Lead and support the industrial design process.
• Optimise design concepts to provide most cost-effective solution that will meet all specification requirements.
  • Use SolidWorks 3D CAD to create part models.
  • Design for excellence analysis.
• Specify and conduct verification and validation testing of design solutions, to ensure they meet the specification requirements.
  • Build & test of prototypes.
  • Environmental testing, including temperature / shock / vibration / ingress.
• Produce documentation to define the product design, enabling the cost-effective manufacture of the design.
  • Create Engineering Drawings to details all parts and assemblies (Technical Data Pack).
  • Generate Test Specifications for acceptance testing of manufactured product.
• Support the product design throughout its life, making continuous improvements to improve product value.
• Function as a team member on multi-functional project teams, across multiple projects.
• Active member of the Mechanical Engineering Department; developing and coaching the junior members of staff; and continually challenging and improving the departmental processes.

• Mechanical Engineering Degree / HNC (or equivalent). Accredited by a relevant professional body advantageous.
• Actively pursuing individual professional development.
• Minimum of five (5) years of design engineering experience, including experience in packaging electronic and scientific components to withstand harsh environments.
• Competent user of 3D CAD design tool, and associated product data management –advantageous SolidWorks.
• Familiar with manufacturing methods including; Plastic Injection moulding; Additive Layer Manufacturing; sheet metal design; and conventional machining.
• Highly desirable to have experience of analytical instrument design, particularly ion mobility spectrometry or mass spectrometry.
• Desirable to have experience of COMSOL Multiphysics, MATLAB, LabView.
• Understanding of thermal and fluid flow analysis.
• Knowledge of Military Standards would be beneficial but not essential.
• Aware of the gated engineering design process, including, technology development, industrial design, concept design, design for excellence, prototyping, test and evaluation, verification, and production.
• Awareness of business tools such as Enterprise resource planning (ERP) advantageous.
• Excellent team worker, with the ability to work with minimal supervision where required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with confidence in dealing with a wide range of people, including suppliers, designers, and senior management.
• Excellent IT Skills, with knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Adaptability to learn new IT skills essential.

We offer…

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)