Hardgoods Designer | Specialist Outdoors Brand | South West | £50,000 - £60,000 + Benefits & Hybrid Working
We're looking for a mechanically minded Design Engineer with a knack for problem-solving to help bring the next generation of product that fuels adventure enthusiasts. This is a hands-on, full-lifecycle role for someone who combines technical expertise with creativity to tackle complex engineering challenges and develop smart, manufacturable solutions.
You'll lead the development of hard goods across the product range, from frameworks and injection-moulded parts to moving linkages and innovative material applications. Working closely with our in-house design team and overseas manufacturing partners, you'll turn concepts into production-ready products that are structurally sound, user-focused, and built to thrive in the outdoors. You'll also help shape the product roadmap, taking technical ownership through prototyping, validation, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead mechanical design across the range, including frameworks, mechanisms, plastics, and integrated assemblies.
* Take ownership of solutions from concept to production, delivering CAD models, detailed parts, assemblies, and manufacturing documentation.
* Translate industrial design intent into robust, manufacturable solutions that balance function, aesthetics, cost, and real-world constraints.
* Collaborate with product, design, and brand teams to ensure consistent design language and high-quality outputs.
* Identify opportunities for innovation, new materials, and mechanisms that enhance user experience.
* Use analysis tools and prototyping to validate material performance, part integrity, and structural strength.
* Optimise designs for high-volume manufacture, applying DFM principles to injection moulding, aluminium/steel fabrication, and assemblies.
* Support field testing and iterate designs based on real-world performance and feedback.
* Work closely with overseas suppliers on sampling, tooling, and production refinement.
* Prepare and maintain accurate 2D drawings, BOMs, and specification packs.
* Ensure all outputs are version-controlled, production-ready, and aligned with design and engineering intent.
* Degree in Product Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Industrial Design Engineering.
* 5+ years' experience in mechanical/product design engineering, ideally in consumer goods, outdoor gear, or automotive.
* Strong portfolio demonstrating production-ready mechanical design.
* Proficient in 3D CAD (preferably Fusion 360) with expertise in assemblies and detailed part design.
* Experienced in high-volume manufacturing processes including injection moulding, extrusions, and aluminium/steel fabrication.
* Skilled in mechanical design and analysis, including structural frameworks, moving parts, and FEA-based validation.
* Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing methods, and DFM principles.
* Confident with prototyping, iterative testing, and hands-on troubleshooting.
* Organised, self-driven, and able to work at pace while maintaining quality and design intent.
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