Contract Mechanical Design Engineer - SolidWorks | Sub-Micron Motion | Prototyping

Location: Cambridge
Rate: £300 - £350 a day
Contract: 18 Months
Start: August/September

A leading research team is seeking a Contract Mechanical Engineer to design, prototype and assemble high-precision mechanical systems for cutting-edge R&D.

You'll work on complex motion systems requiring sub-micron accuracy, collaborating across photonics, optics, machine learning, and electronics. This role suits someone hands-on, detail-oriented, and comfortable iterating quickly in a fast-paced, agile environment.

Key Skills Required:

• Expert in SolidWorks (incl. PDM)

• Precision motion systems design & sub-micron alignment

• 3D printing, light machining, prototyping

• Tolerancing & production-ready specifications

Desirable:

• Optical systems (free-space, fibre/waveguide)

• CAM for CNC machining

• Simulation tools (eg ANSYS)

Experience:

• 5-8+ years in mechanical engineering, or equivalent degree-based Pathway (BSc/MSc/PhD)

Role Summary:

• Design, test, and iterate prototype systems

• Translate evolving requirements into robust mechanical solutions

• Collaborate closely across research disciplines

• Contribute to a fail-fast, rapid development culture