Senior Mechanical Engineer

Position Summary
The Senior Mechanical Engineer position at Taylor Hobson is an integral part of the company's innovative and forward-thinking Research and Development department. This position involves working new technology on range of ultra high-precision instruments, often designed to achieve nanometer accuracies, presents a valuable opportunity to expand your expertise within an innovative technology sector.

Key Responsibilities
As a key member of the R&D team, reporting to our Principal Mechanical Engineer, the Senior Mechanical Engineer is responsible and accountable for:

• Deriving the mechanical performance specification of the mechanical subassemblies using overall system functional requirements
• The design and validation, and timely manufacture of the subassemblies
• Generate the necessary supporting documentation to introduce the product into manufacturing and service.
• Define mechanical specifications for subassemblies according to system requirements, carry out design, validation, and support for production for new products, and prepare necessary documentation for manufacturing and service introduction.

Requirements For Consideration

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the overall system performance requirements and derive the metrology error budgets for each of the main instrument functions
• Suggest mechanical solutions and manufacturing methods for above, supported by calculations and FEA analysis as appropriate.
• Suggest efficient methods of assembly and validation methods for above.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the evaluation plans and expected results with suggestions for life testing and servicing.
• Oversee more junior/sub-contract Mechanical Engineers within the business.
• Be able to take lead in Mechanical project design reviews.
• Work closely with Business Development and Operations on new and existing developments.

Required Essential Skills

• Proven track record in product design
• Experience of design of small mechanisms
• Knowledge of drives and controls
• Sound knowledge of manufacturing engineering, materials, methods, and processes
• Demonstrable, thorough, analytical skills reinforced with practical problem-solving abilities

Proficient In The Use Of The Following Tools

• CAD (at least on of the following SW, NX, Catia, ProE)
• MS Office or similar

Desirable Skills

• Experienced gained in the precision engineering/machine tool industry or Optics industry and production of product support documentation
• Knowledge of fixtures or Kinematic principles
• Knowledge of small precision machined manufacturing processes and materials.
• Some applied experience with math package e.g. MATLAB, Mathematica etc.

Required Personal Attributes

• Confidence and intelligence, with the ability to mentor more junior engineers and oversee contractors.
• Flexible approach to tasks provided and the ability to investigate problems with an open and enquiring mind.

Qualifications Or Relevant Work Experience

• Degree Level education in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent with at least 5 years' experience in design/mechanical engineer* role from concept through an end-to-end product lifecycle.
• Sound knowledge with proven track record of manufacturing engineering, materials, methods, processes, and quality systems
• Precision engineering role desirable but not essential

Future Development Opportunities

• Development to reach Chartered status
• Coachable with potential for Principal Mechanical Engineer within 5 years

What We Offer You

• A multi-disciplined environment with opportunities to learn with like-minded colleagues.
• 1pm Friday finish.
• Competitive salary and 25 days holiday including Christmas.
• Fantastic and supportive onboarding to ensure joiners are well integrated and comfortable at Taylor Hobson.
• Generous matched pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Option to join private health plan.
• Enhanced maternity pay.
• We are invested in developing your skills and will promote and encourage progression through the business.
• Mentoring and guidance for accreditation.
• Opportunity to get involved with charity and fundraising, which we are passionate about.
• Sports and Social Club – fun events and activities throughout the year including Christmas party.
• Perkbox – our rewards app offering discounts from a multitude of retailers, a GP service and a 24-hour Employee Assistance Program to ensure the health and wellbeing of our employees.
• Employee referral scheme of £1000
• Cycle to work scheme.
• An inclusive workforce.
• Free onsite parking, electric charging points and easy access to the city centre.

Business Unit

• Established in 1886, Taylor Hobson is the world leader in surface and form metrology and developed the first Roundness and Surface Finish measuring instruments.
• We provide contact and non-contact measurement solutions for the most demanding applications on a global basis, with a worldwide infrastructure to support our clients; we are a truly global ultra-precision metrology company.
• We are pioneers, continually developing our products to meet the ever-increasing demands of next generation technologies, particularly in Optics, Bearings, Space, Defence, Aerospace, Automotive, Medical and Renewable Energy technologies.
• Taylor Hobson's world leading brands include: Talyrond, Form Talysurf PGI, Form Talysurf i-Series, Surtronic, LUPHOScan, Formalysurf PGI Optics, Talyvel, Autocollimators, Micro-Alignment Telescope and AMECare.
• Taylor Hobson is part of the Ultra Precision Technologies Division of AMETEK, Inc. which is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices.
• Website:

AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.0 billion.

AMETEK is committed to making a safer, sustainable, and more productive world a reality. We use differentiated technology solutions to solve our customers' most complex challenges. We employ 21,000 colleagues, in 35 countries, that are grounded by our core values: Ethics and Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. AMETEK (NYSE:AME) is a component of the S&P 500. Visit for more information.