R&D Mechanical Engineer – Medical Devices (NPI & MDR)
Hybrid working | Kent-based design centre
£38-41k + bens
Contact - Emily Powell - Pearson Whiffin Recruitment
This opportunity suits an engineer with solid post-graduate experience who enjoys working on technically rigorous products from concept through to verification and approval.
A global medical technology organisation is expanding its R&D Functional Engineering team in Kent. The group focuses on new product introduction and regulatory remediation, supporting a broad portfolio of critical-care medical devices used worldwide.
This is a role for someone comfortable operating in a highly regulated environment, where structure, documentation and sound engineering judgement are essential.
The Role
You’ll contribute to longer-term, complex engineering programmes, often spanning several years. The work is detailed and process-driven, involving full lifecycle ownership rather than short-term sustaining changes.
You’ll work closely with experienced engineers, systems specialists and a dedicated CAD team, contributing to design decisions, risk management and verification activity.
This is not an entry-level position and not suited to engineers looking for purely CAD-focused roles.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting new product development and MDR remediation programmes
- Contributing to design changes across existing medical device portfolios
- Coordinating prototyping with external suppliers and global manufacturing sites
- Participating in risk management activities (DFMEA / PFMEA, mitigation planning)
- Supporting verification testing and associated technical documentation
- Reviewing and red-lining engineering drawings in collaboration with CAD specialists
- Working within established quality systems and design controls
About You
You’ll be an engineer with solid post-graduate experience who can take ownership of defined workstreams while working effectively within a structured R&D environment.
You’re likely to bring:
- A Mechanical Engineering degree (or closely related discipline)
- Several years’ post-graduate engineering experience within a regulated industry
- Medical device experience (strongly preferred), with an understanding of regulatory expectations
- Exposure to risk management, verification and quality documentation
- Experience with plastic components and manufacturing processes (e.g. injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding)
- Working knowledge of SolidWorks, particularly for drawing review and design input
Engineers from other regulated sectors may be considered where there is clear evidence of comfort with risk-based thinking, structured processes and documentation-heavy projects.
The Team & Environment
You’ll join a collaborative R&D team that values:
- Technical competence balanced with strong communication
- Engineers who work well within teams and accept guidance
- A calm, professional approach to complex engineering challenges
The culture is supportive, inclusive and focused on delivering safe, high-quality products.
Working Pattern
- Hybrid working — 2 days per week on-site at the Kent design centre
- Standard office hours with sensible flexibility
- No long-hours culture, but a shared responsibility to meet critical project demands
If you’re an engineer looking to deepen your experience in medical device R&D, working on meaningful, regulated products with real patient impact, this role offers long-term technical development and stability.