Mechanical Engineer
Job Purpose / Objectives:
The role will support development of our engineered products but using advanced powder flow characterizations, creating innovative test methods to ensure accurate analysis and optimization of powder handling processes for diverse industrial applications. Products developed are used primarily in the pharmaceutical sector, with potential for expansion into food and fine chemical manufacturing.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare detailed product specifications in collaboration with product stakeholders.
- Conduct detailed lab-based investigations and perform technical trials and simulations to assess powder flow characteristics and develop solutions.
- Material/equipment specification and selection.
- Prototyping and support for verification testing, risk assessments, DFMEAs and validation exercises.
- Collaborate with internal compliance team and certification agencies to ensure products conform to all current regulations and standards.
- Work closely with all cross functional teams to ensure a smooth transition of new products into production.
- Provide technical assistance to the Production, Service and Sales teams and customers as required.
- Undertake and support Engineering Change Requests, promoting thorough documentation control and lessons learned.
- Support the development of departmental processes, procedures and best practice.
- Drive root cause analysis exercises to analyse problems and deliver optimal solutions.
Requirements
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering, with a Background in powder handling equipment.
- Experience in dealing with powders/granules processes.
- Design of complex technical products: knowledge of design lifecycle from concept through to production.
- Experience & skill in the following being highly desirable:
- Hands-on working with powder flow analysis tools and techniques, such as flowability tests and powder characterisation.
- Familiarity with simulation software for powder behaviour modelling and process optimisation.
- Experience with cGMP, FDA regulations, and other quality standards.
- Precision engineering design and fabrication.
- CAD Skills - SolidWorks would be an advantage but not essential.
- Experience in Spectroscopy and/or Process Analysis Technology (PAT) would be an advantage but not essential.
Person Specification:
- Strong Team Player.
- Problem Solver/Solution focused.
- A Self-Starter with initiative.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Able to use workshop and laboratory tools for development builds and qualification testing.
- Ability to communicate and present technical information at all levels, both report-based and verbal.
- Commercial acumen to support successful decision making.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work well in a team environment.
Must Have:
- Experience in working with powder flow operations.
- Experience of developing products for a variety of manufacturing processes.
- Good technical ability, with understanding of mechanical interactions and solving from first principles.
- Experience of employing additive manufacturing for prototypes or low volume production.
- Knowledge of tools, such as DFMEA & PFMEA, to identify and address potential failure modes in designs for manufacture and servicing with high attention to detail.
- Good knowledge of technical drawing to BS 8888, GD&T in addition to tolerance analysis.
- Experience in design of products encompassing mechanical and electrical elements.
- Experience with cGMP, FDA regulations and ISO 9001 (or similar) quality management systems.
- Experience of product verification and validation testing (such as ingress protection, corrosion, vibration, temperature).
- Willing to travel occasionally within the UK and overseas (estimated 15%).
- Strong mechanical engineering background, with knowledge of supporting engineering disciplines.
