Mechanical Product Engineer

Applications are invited for people with experience in the design and engineering of technical products to join our growing team as a Product Engineer (Mechanical).

NatureMetrics is a scale-up technology company working at the cutting edge of molecular biodiversity monitoring and bringing high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies to the frontline of environmental management around the world. We have grown steadily in recent years and are now expanding rapidly. We are a team of bright, enthusiastic individuals who are excited to be breaking new ground and disrupting the world of biodiversity monitoring. Our services include qPCR and metabarcoding from a range of sample types (e.g. water, soil, tissue, faeces). We provide products that include field sampling kits, lab analysis, data analysis and interpretation. We also contribute significantly to innovation in our field.

The Product Engineer (Mechanical) will be responsible for developing practical solutions to challenges that our clients face, particularly focused on sample collection (water, soils, sediments, air). The role will involve running hardware development projects, working on design modules, writing design specifications, specifying components, creating schematics, evaluating designs, prototyping assemblies, and prototype testing. The role will also involve supporting the wider team during functional system testing on the new products they develop and writing user manuals for developed products. The types of engineering challenges will include designing attachments and housing for filtering units, enabling our sampling devices to be attached to ROVs or AUVs, developing automated sampling units, and improving existing sampling devices and kits to make them more user friendly for clients. They will become an authority within the company for product engineering. In the context of DNA-based species detection and biomonitoring, they will optimally have experience in environmental monitoring as well as related methods and products.

The product engineer will have experience in successful product development, from design to prototyping, and production. They will be responsible for carrying out the technical development and optimization of products. The product engineer will also be required to liaise closely with the Business Development team to identify what products are needed by clients and to advise on the feasibility of developing said products. The post holder will critically evaluate products currently being developed and products yet to be designed (e.g. hand-held sampling devices, autonomous and automated sampling devices). The role will interact regularly with our science and technical teams to optimize the component processes required for their products.

You will be part of the Products Team, reporting to a Senior eDNA Product Manager, and will work closely with the rest of the Products Team and the wider company. You will be comfortable working autonomously but must ultimately thrive as part of a team.

The full specification can be found below. There is no fixed deadline for applications, and the position will be held open until we find the right candidate.

Roles & responsibilities

General

• Work closely with the Business Development, Products and Science teams to translate ideas to client ready products.
• Evaluate current approaches to field sampling and conduct/arrange product development
• Engineering tasks required to progress the development of new products, in particular building & testing prototypes, supplier liaison, testing, producing and managing specifications and other related documentation
• Preparation of new and updated engineering documents relating to designs
• Maintaining the Design History File for new and existing product designs
• Managing the production of engineering documentation that will be generated in design for use in production

Reporting

• This role reports to Senior eDNA Product Manager (Marine)
  
  

Communication

• Provide clear communication to the Products Director or relevant Senior eDNA Product Manager on product development progress, and escalate any issues that could impact the budget, timeline, or strategic vision.
• Ongoing engagement with the Business Development, Products and Research & Development teams.
• Maintain regular communications with the NatureMetrics team when overseas, complying with our policies and procedures at all times and upholding our standards and the core elements of our brand.

Person Specification

Education & qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar from an accredited University or HND

Specialist knowledge, skills & experience

• Product Engineer (Mechanical) will have extensive knowledge of designing, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing products.
• They must have expertise in creating marketable products taking into account functionality and cost-effectiveness.
• A strong background in relevant design software and product manufacturing (such as 3D printing).
• Product testing in diverse and challenging environments is needed.
• Demonstrate experience in product creation within timelines.
• In your cover letter please detail your knowledge / expertise in the areas identified above and indicate your experience of working with various products.

It would also be an advantage to have:

• Experience working in industrial sectors such as infrastructure, energy, extractives, water management, conservation, agriculture.
• Experience with environmental monitoring.
• Experience in products associated with freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Interpersonal & communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills are vital
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills
• Attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines

All applicants may be legally required to demonstrate the right to work/permission to work in the UK.