An innovative optical technology company based in Oxfordshire is seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to join its expanding R&D team. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in the hands-on design and development of precision, complex systems, supporting novel research initiatives and contributing directly to the development of a next-generation adaptive lens system.

This is a rare opportunity to join a well-funded, highly creative organisation that is poised to redefine the way we see the world.

About the Company

Operating at the intersection of ophthalmics and advanced optics, the company develops cutting-edge ophthalmic solutions for use across optical systems, AR/VR/XR platforms, and machine vision applications. Widely recognised as leaders in adaptive lens technology, they collaborate with major global consumer electronics and technology brands to create innovative solutions that enhance visual performance.

Their proprietary adaptive lens system has the potential to significantly transform visual capability within modern AR/VR/XR technologies. Following strong interest from the consumer technology sector, the company is now entering an exciting new phase of its R&D programme — scaling both its technical capabilities and engineering team to support continued innovation.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a fast-growing technology business, contribute to genuinely cutting-edge development, and play a pivotal role in bringing a globally impactful technology to market. The company offers an outstanding working environment built on innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.

The Role

With continued investment and expansion, the company is growing its team and facilities to support ambitious R&D goals. They are seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with a proven track record in the hands-on design and development of precision products and systems.

You will play a central role in advancing the company’s novel lens system, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to take innovative concepts from early-stage development through to production. This role requires someone who is genuinely passionate about detailed, hands-on design work and excited by the challenge of developing precision, small-scale products.

Key Responsibilities

The Mechanical Design Engineer will:

• Design and develop company systems and component parts
• Act as a key interface between analysis and design teams
• Design and develop systems incorporating mechanisms and moving components
• Apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and conduct detailed tolerance analysis
• Perform analytical calculations and simulations to support design decisions
• Take a hands-on approach to prototyping — designing, building, and testing to enable rapid iteration
• Provide expert input on materials selection
• Advise on best-practice manufacturing techniques and production readiness

Requirements

Education

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience taking product concepts through to production, including design iteration, refinement, and design for manufacturing and assembly (DFX) considerations
• Experience designing small but ideally micro-mechanisms
• Solid understanding of:
• Injection moulding
• Micro-moulding
• Metal stamping and forming
• Metal injection moulding
• Vacuum forming
• Knowledge of common joining processes, including:
• Adhesive bonding
• Ultrasonic welding
• Radio-frequency welding
• Heat staking
• Competence in GD&T and proficient in undertaking and documenting tolerance analysis.
• Strong knowledge of materials and their properties, particularly polymers and metals
• Proficiency in CAD (essential), ideally SolidWorks

Desirable

• Experience or exposure to optics or opto-mechanical engineering, including alignment considerations, optical component mounting, or light-path constraints
• Practical experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and/or the ability to perform hand calculations
• Ability to translate product requirements into clear, complete engineering specifications
• A flair for rapid concept generation and ideation
• Experience taking designs into pilot production and optimising them for scalable manufacture
• Knowledge of, and ability to work to, ISO 13485 (medical device compliance), including documentation, standards adherence, and design-for-risk-management