Mechanical Engineer

Overview

In this hands-on R&D role, you will design, build, and test hydraulic test rigs and heat-pump‑integrated hardware. You’ll move concepts to working prototypes on fast timeframes, instrument test rigs, and analyze data to inform design decisions. You work closely with the R&D team in a practical, on-site environment to balance performance, cost, and manufacturability. This contract role offers the chance to shape next‑gen heat pump hardware in a collaborative setting.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive contract day rate
• well-equipped facility
• autonomy
• employee benefits
• opportunities to influence product development

Responsibilities

• Design, build and commission hydraulic test rigs and prototype products that integrate with heat pumps
• Carry out hands-on assembly and plumbing of water-side and refrigerant-adjacent systems
• Instrument rigs with temperature, flow and pressure measurement and run structured test campaigns
• Diagnose and troubleshoot hydraulic, thermal and mechanical issues on live systems and feed findings back into design
• Collaborate with the wider R&D team to iterate designs quickly considering performance, cost, manufacturability and serviceability
• Produce clear documentation: test plans, build instructions, results write-ups and design records

Key requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related discipline)
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in an R&D, product development or test environment
• Demonstrable heat pump knowledge and understanding of hydraulic system behavior
• Strong hands-on experience in building, plumbing, commissioning and fault-finding systems
• Experience with hydraulic systems (pumps, valves, tanks, piping) and water-side circuits
• Ability to instrument rigs and interpret test data to draw engineering conclusions
• CAD proficiency for rig component and prototype part design
• Ability to work independently on-site in Slough in a fast-paced R&D environment

• hands-on mindset
• problem-solving
• collaboration
• CAD proficiency
• P&ID and rig instrumentation
• hydraulic system design and assembly

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