Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical design for unmanned systems in operational use, from concept through to production release.

Minerva Defence is one of the fastest-growing defence technology companies in Europe. We create the software, hardware and networking that make unmanned systems effective on the modern battlefield, all ideated, designed and manufactured end-to-end in the UK, and in active use today. We are deliberately low-profile: a team of around 70, small in headcount and outsized in effect. We look for people who are not just talented but genuinely committed to the work, the team, and the purpose behind it.

You will own significant mechanical work packages on a complex, multidisciplinary product, taking designs from concept through to production release. You will work with full context on the system as a whole and with direct access to the manufacturing, assembly and quality teams who build what you design. Designs here typically reach production within weeks of release.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production release
• Produce CAD models and engineering drawings to the required standard, applying appropriate tolerancing, material selection and DFM/DFA principles so designs can be manufactured, assembled and supported at scale
• Perform engineering analysis and calculations to support and validate design decisions
• Work directly with manufacturing, assembly and quality teams to resolve technical issues and support build activities
• Participate in design reviews, presenting work clearly and responding to technical feedback
• Manage engineering changes and maintain accurate configuration control in line with company processes
• Support prototyping, testing and design iteration as products develop
• Contribute to engineering standards and processes as the team scales

Minimum:

• Degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrable experience in mechanical design, including CAD modelling and engineering drawings
• Practical understanding of tolerancing, materials selection and manufacturing processes
• Eligible for UK security clearance: UK citizen or five or more years of continuous UK residency
• Able to work on-site for the majority of the working week

Preferred:

• Proficiency in SolidWorks or a comparable parametric CAD package
• Familiarity with GD&T and BS 8888 drawing standards
• Experience in aerospace, defence, automotive, or another high-reliability engineering environment
• Experience with FEA or other simulation tools
• Comfortable building, testing, and iterating physical prototypes to validate designs
• Experience supporting or leading design reviews and engineering change processes

We offer competitive compensation including;

• Share options vesting over three years
• Bupa private medical insurance
• 6% employer pension contribution
• 25 days leave plus bank holidays
• Enhanced mat/pat leave
• Enterprise level AI tooling
• Relocation support/home office budget