Job Title:
Product Development Engineer
Location:
SO51 0NU
Employment Type:
Full-time,
on site/in person
Salary Range
: £35-65k depending on experience
Perks:
Pension, Flexible Working Hours, Sick Pay, Stock Options, Cycle to Work Scheme, On-site Free Parking, Course and Conference Attendance Opportunities, Health & Wellbeing Monitoring, Free Refreshments, Bidding Opportunities, Picturesque Rural Location Close to Romsey and City of Southampton, Good Transport Links, Creativity & Ideas Exploration encouraged, Use of Facilities for Personal Projects outside of Normal Working Hours.
Job Overview
Product Development Engineer – Military Systems
We are seeking a skilled, creative and hands-on
Product Development Engineer
to join our team. This role will focus on both the modification of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products, and the design, build and refinement of new concepts / prototypes for use in R&D, prior to taking products through to production for military and defence applications. You will leverage your technical expertise to solve complex engineering problems and ensure that our products meet the highest standards of quality and performance in demanding environments. This is very much a practical role in a very dynamic small company where everyone wears quite a few hats.
Key Responsibilities
* Modify and adapt existing COTS products for defence-specific requirements.
* Conduct research, prototyping, and testing of modified COTS or newly designed products.
* Perform system integration, including mechanical, electrical, and software modifications.
* Engage with cross-functional disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software, compliance, and supply chain).
* Ensure compliance with military standards (e.g., MIL-STD, DEF-STAN, or equivalent).
* Develop and maintain technical documentation, drawings, user guides and other records.
* Support lab and field trials, testing, validation and training with your products.
* Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes and lifecycle management.
* Design products being mindful of sourcing and supply chains, while thinking ahead to future production/assembly either in-house or outsourced.
* Communicate simply, concisely and effectively your designs to other team members and customers with diverse alternative backgrounds and skill sets.
* Interact and contribute patiently and efficiently with other projects being run by other team members.
Essential skills / experience
· Proof of concept design & build experience
· Prototype engineering & systems integration
· Product development
· D printing
· Modifying COTS devices for alternative purposes (MOTS/Hacking)
· Basic Electronics
· General understanding of diverse materials suitability / compatibility
· Problem solving & analytical skills
· Eligibility to obtain
security clearance if required (e.g. UK NATIONAL)
.
Non-essential / desirable skills and experience
· Electronics
· Embedded computing (codewriting, hardware interfacing)
· Software engineering
· Systems engineering
· Experience working in the defence sector (e.g. ruggedised product design)
· Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and/or electrical design software
· Knowledge of materials engineering (lightweight structures, corrosion resistance, blast resistance).
· Experience supporting field deployment and in-service product modifications.
· Knowledge of regulatory compliance and export control frameworks (ITAR, EAR, etc.).
Qualifications
* Minimum Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related relevant discipline (or equivalent experience).
Why Join Us
* Work on cutting-edge defence engineering projects that directly support national security and enhance capability.
* Be part of a collaborative, high-performing technical team, supporting a niche and interesting customer group.
* Opportunities for professional growth, training, and career development, including international travel for conference attendance / trade events / collaborator meetings etc.
* Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
* Friendly, flexible work environment.
About PolyCAT
PolyCAT are a small company specialising in developing decontamination tools and other scientific and engineering-based technologies for the defence, security and responder sectors. PolyCAT's patent-pending flagship technology relates to powder formulations for the catalytic detoxification of toxic chemicals, and a variety of delivery systems for a variety of scenarios and end user groups. However, our remit is far more diverse, and you will be joining a growing team with excellent reputation, contacts and networks, a successful history of winning bids and contracts, broad interests, skills and an open mind as to where the future takes us.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a concise covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to with the subject line:
Product Development Engineer Application
.