Do you want to design a machine to detect 50-micron holes at 3000 bottles an hour? How do we make an autoinjector safely deliver drugs at home with a range of viscosities? Does the idea of making sustainable packaging with a 40-tonne press excite you? The mechanical engineering team at PA use their core engineering knowledge to help ask the right questions at every stage of the development process:
Key Activities
* Work with scientists to understand the fundamentals of new problems and prototype, characterise and explore technologies and processes.
* Collaborate with designers and human factors experts to pin down the form and function of new products.
* Engineers of all disciplines – mechanical, electronic, software, and more – will design, test, and build new products and systems together.
* Use industry knowledge to inform future technical strategies for clients and work with others in PA to provide clients with wider business solutions.
What you can expect
The range of work performed at the Global Innovation and Technology Centre is broad and ever changing. You might:
* Develop a new food safe material that can survive being submerged.
* Assemble prototype test rigs to prove a new process is possible.
* Observe user interactions with a product to ensure it is intuitive.
* Capture high speed video of fine sprays to characterise nozzle performance.
Assessment Process
First Stage Assessments:
* Application form
* Online Assessments
* Short listing and/or Technical Assessments
Final Stage Assessments:
* Assessment Centre with Technical Assessments
* Final Stage Interviews
The Offer
* A broad range of work that spans multiple sectors.
* The opportunity to experience all phases of development, from conceptualisation and theoretical design to hands‑on building pro‑totyping and testing in our workshops.
* The opportunity to work closely with experienced and knowledgeable colleagues from across the design, applied science, software and engineering disciplines as you design, test, and build new products and systems.
* Ability to manage your own time, with choice over which projects you work on.
* Be involved in creating future technology strategies, working with others across the wider PA, to provide clients with wider business solutions.
* This role will start in Autumn 2026.
* Your work base will be our Global Technology and Innovation Centre, Melbourn.
* Salary Potential: £31,000 with additional £3500 for transport allowance.
Qualifications
* Undergraduate degree – studying towards, or completed, an accredited degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related subject.
* Growth oriented and curious – open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world; apply new technical skills and rapidly acquire domain expertise. Think creatively and laterally, applying existing knowledge to new problems.
* Collaborative and relationship focused – thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.
* Credible and communicative – comfortable in high performance environments, with excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable working with hands‑on work in both a workshop and a lab setting.
* Analytical and adaptable – demonstrate strong problem solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach. Apply your engineering experience and knowledge gained through university, work or projects to help develop solutions to real world problems.
* Professional and reliable – show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.
* Technical experience – the following will also be beneficial but not essential:
o Practical industry experience in an engineering, development or scientific role – proficiency in 3D CAD systems; preferably SolidWorks.
* All PA people are required to undergo background checks and achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, with a minimum of 5 years of continuous residency in the UK. Only British citizens or individuals who have resided in the UK for the past 5 years are eligible.
Benefits
* Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare.
* 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days.
* Generous company pension scheme.
* Opportunity to get involved with community and charity based initiatives.
* Annual performance based bonus.
* PA share ownership.
* Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn).
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