Mechanical Engineer - 12 Month FTC

Chess Dynamics; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000

Job description

Chess Dynamics is a well-established and rapidly growing design and manufacturing business, with several sites across the UK. Our cutting-edge product range services the defence industries with products that aid specific client requirements. Our focus is on precision rotary mechanisms most often used for surveillance and fire control solutions. Driving innovation and excellence is at the heart of everything we do.

We currently require an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our skilled engineering team so we can design and build some great systems together.

Key Responsibilities:

• Innovative design skills in electro-mechanical mechanisms and precision machinery.
• Work with the team to perform classical engineering analysis on designs including stress, fatigue & vibration using conventional analysis and computer simulation.
• Produce detail engineering and assembly drawings for manufacturing, perform lab testing for verification and conformance of design outputs to meet the design inputs.
• Assist with developing engineering reports to support new product designs, failure investigation and any other formal documentation to support customer requirements.
• Liaise with wider engineering teams to integrate electronic, control and drive systems into equipment designs.
• Have experience of working within a closely integrated, mixed discipline, project design team to produce quality design solutions in line with cost, time and quality requirements.
• Provide support for the production, test and field engineering teams. Support the sales teams with bids and quotations.
• Assist with creating designs in 3D CAD using SolidWorks software.

Skills & Experience

• Have greater than 2 years of experience working in an engineering role.
• Have experience in the design of complex mechanisms and structures for use in harsh environments - preferably in the defence industry.
• Have proven experience in the design of systems from original concept design, produced from a specification, through to production.
• Can analyse the loads on, and design solutions for, items such as gear drives bearings and motors.
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the application of machining, casting, fabrication and moulding techniques.
• Have experience in the use of SolidWorks CAD system.
• Ability to liaise with customers verbally and in writing in an effective manner, producing reports and participating in formal design reviews.
• Have experience designing equipment for use in harsh environments.
• Experience of working in the Defence or related sectors particularly in R&D and manufacturing, such as scientific equipment manufacturers, special purpose machine builders or high-end customisation companies.
• Have greater than 5 years of experience working in an engineering role.

Personal Attributes

• Have a flair for innovation, new concept designs and a passion for mechanical engineering.
• Ability to liaise with customers verbally and in writing in an effective manner, producing reports and participating in formal design reviews.
• Have excellent stakeholder management and relationship building skills.
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively with all stakeholders to understand diverse and complex requirements.
• Ability to fit in and work well both in a team and in working autonomously when required.
• Degree educated in Mechanical Engineering.
• Proficient in performing engineering calculations.
• Experience of working and delivering within a continuous improvement environment coupled with a personal drive for continuous improvement.

Work Life Balance:

• Lunchtime finishes on a Friday.
• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements.
• 28 days annual leave.
• Christmas closure.
• Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%.
• Income protection scheme and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee wellbeing service gives you and your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service and physiotherapy consultations.
• Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline.
• Company shares incentive plan and save as you earn scheme.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
• Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app and the addition of mental health support for all employees. Plus, regular activities across our sites to support and promote wellbeing.
• Regular sports and social activities.
• Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health, and wellbeing offerings).
• Excellent learning & development opportunities.
• Great working environment with free, onsite car parking across all our locations.

Security Clearance Requirements:

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.