Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Term: Permanent

Location: On site in Buckinghamshire

SUMMARY:

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Hooper Quinn for a capable and highly motivated Mechanical Engineer to join our growing technical team.

Our ideal candidate will be a practical, thoughtful, and creative solver of mechanical engineering problems, able to combine sound engineering fundamentals with hands-on design experience to support the development of products, systems, and technologies across a range of sectors from motorsport, space, marine, robotics, and autonomous systems, to complex consumer products, sports and exploration technology, and medical devices.

Working as part of a close-knit team of accomplished engineers, the successful candidate will contribute to the design and development of mechanical systems, assemblies, components, prototypes, and test equipment. Projects may include advanced energy systems, next-generation propulsion technologies, complex product development programmes, electromechanical systems, research and development rigs, and high-performance mechanical assemblies.

This is an excellent opportunity for a mid-level engineer who is ready to take on greater responsibility, broaden their technical exposure, and develop within a dynamic and high-performing engineering environment backed by a rich and supportive culture.

PACKAGE:

Culture, Team, & Environment

• Quarterly team days
• Annual company ski holiday
• A critical role within a thriving, ambitious, and innovative organisation
• Work alongside a close-knit team of exceptional people who excel in their fields
• Supportive working environment in an inspiring facility situated in the Buckinghamshire countryside

Rewards & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 8% pension
• Performance bonus scheme
• Comprehensive healthcare cover (extendible to dependants)
• Cycle2Work scheme
• 36 days’ annual leave (including Bank hols.)

Development & Growth

• Significant opportunities for professional development
• Exposure to diverse, cutting-edge projects across multiple industries
• Mentoring and support from senior engineers

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Mechanical Design & Engineering Delivery

• Support the design and development of complex mechanical systems, assemblies, and components from concept through to prototype to production readiness
• Create detailed CAD models and 2D manufacturing drawings to top-tier industry standards
• Carry out engineering calculations, component sizing, tolerance assessments, and design checks to support robust design decisions
• Support FE analysis and simulation activities, where appropriate, under the guidance of senior engineers
• Contribute to prototype development, build, testing, and design iteration, working closely with suppliers and in-house build and assembly teams
• Select appropriate materials, components, and manufacturing processes, considering performance, cost, lead time, reliability, and ease of manufacture

Project Execution & Collaboration

• Deliver mechanical design tasks and defined work packages to agreed scope, quality, budget, and schedule
• Work collaboratively with mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and build/test engineers to develop integrated solutions
• Participate in design reviews, project meetings, client workshops, and technical discussions
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including BoMs, drawings, design notes, test plans, and supporting reports
• Communicate clearly with colleagues, suppliers, and clients, escalating risks or technical issues at the right time

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• UK Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical, Automotive Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or similar
• Approximately 2–5 years of relevant industry experience following graduation
• Relevant experience may include motorsport, aerospace, product development, advanced manufacturing, future fuels and powertrains, medical devices, robotics, marine systems, or other high-quality engineering environments
• Working experience of CAD software, preferably SolidWorks
• Experience producing clear, accurate 2D manufacturing drawings
• Confident with basic hand calculations, component sizing, tolerance considerations, and engineering first principles
• Awareness of FEA and simulation methods, with willingness to develop further capability in this area
• Understanding of engineering materials, including metallic, plastic, and composite materials, and their practical application
• Familiarity with common manufacturing processes, including machining, fabrication, additive manufacturing, moulding, casting, and assembly methods
• Familiarity with fundamental mechanical systems, such as fasteners, bearings, shafts, casings, mechanisms, brackets, mounts, seals, hydraulics, or pneumatics
• Hands-on engineering experience, such as prototyping, testing, assembly, workshop activity, or build support, is desirable
• Ability to understand project requirements, manage tasks through project management platforms, and work efficiently to deadlines
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively both in a team and independently
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving consultancy environment where projects, sectors, and technical challenges vary

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please submit the following to careers@hooperquinn.com, using ‘V2603 – Mechanical Engineer’ as the subject of your email:

1.    CV

2.    Cover letter outlining your suitability for this role and your motivation for joining Hooper Quinn

3.    Responses to the Application Exercises detailed below

You are welcome to include relevant work samples/portfolios in support of your application.

IMPORTANT:

1)    Applications will not be considered if any of the three required documents listed above is missing

2)    Only applications submitted to the above email address will be considered

Application Exercises:

These short exercises are designed to give us an insight into how you think, communicate, and approach challenges, and equally, to give you a feel for the types of situations you may encounter in this role. Please ensure your responses reflect your own reasoning and experience. Submissions that appear to have been generated primarily by AI tools will not be considered.

Please take no more than 90 minutes to complete the exercises.

EXERCISE 1: Concept Design – Compact Actuation System

A client approaches Hooper Quinn with the requirement to design a compact mechanism to deploy a sensor mast from within a small autonomous vehicle.

The mechanism must extend a sensor mast vertically from a stowed position inside the vehicle.

Requirements:

           •         Linear extension: 120 mm

           •         Maximum load: 200 N

           •         Deployment time: < 5 second

           •         Available envelope for mechanism: 250 × 150 × 100 mm

           •         Power supply: 24V DC

The system may be subject to:

           •         Vibration and occasional shock loads

           •         Outdoor operating conditions

           •         Repeated actuation cycles during testing and operation

Task:

Please describe a concept design for the actuation system and mechanism that could achieve this. (Note: we are interested in your thinking and reasoning rather than a complete design solution.)

Your response should include:

1.    The type of actuator you would propose and the reasoning behind your choice

2.    The mechanism used to convert actuation into linear motion

3.    A conceptual layout of the mechanism (a simple sketch is welcome but not required)

4.    The key engineering considerations that would influence your design

5.    Any technical risks or potential failure modes you would investigate early in the design process

You may make any reasonable engineering assumptions necessary in order to answer the question.

Please limit your response to 1–2 pages.

Sketches or diagrams may be included if helpful.

EXERCISE 2: Working at Pace

Engineering projects at Hooper Quinn often move quickly, with tight timelines and evolving technical challenges.

Please describe a situation where you had to deliver engineering work under significant time pressure.

Include:

• The context of the project
• The actions you took to maintain quality while working quickly
• The outcome

Maximum: 250 words

EXERCISE 3: Culture & Values

In your own words, please select one of the following values and 1) describe what that value means to you and how you put it into practice in your day-to-day life; and 2) give a relevant example from your professional experience where you have demonstrated that value:

• Tenacious Curiosity
• Efficient Agility
• Proactive Responsibility

Maximum: 300 words

Thank you for taking the time to complete these exercises. We appreciate the effort you put into your application and look forward to learning more about you.

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