Design and Development Engineer

Job Description

[Employer hidden] was founded in 1963 as an independent provider of hydraulic accessories and is today an internationally established group with over 10,000 employees, 50 branch offices and 500 trade and service partners world-wide.

We are seeking a full time Design and Development Engineer to join our Engineering Department in Witney, Oxfordshire. Reporting directly to the Engineering Manager the successful candidate will be responsible for creation, development and implementation of new product designs as well as being inherently involved providing ongoing support for production of various legacy product range(s).

The role is primarily an office-based CAD role, however, also involves hands-on and supervisory activities and close collaboration with procurement, manufacturing, inspection, and production teams to ensure new and existing products are effectively managed through the business and product lifecycle.

Principal Objectives:

• The design and development of pressure vessels, hydraulic manifold assemblies, hydraulic components, power units, and complete hydraulic systems to customer specifications and to internationally recognised standards supported with regulatory compliance documentation.
• To liaise with clients, product managers, account managers, and sales engineers in order to translate customer requirements into commercially viable products and solutions.
• To support internal production and QA departments with required technical input to oversee product build and test as required either on site or at customers premises.
• To support engineers within the team with designs compliance checking and drawing sign off.

Profile:

The nature of the role means we are looking for a motivated and driven individual with proven design and drawing office skills, an individual who possess excellent communication and people skills. The role suits someone who is self-motivated and comfortable working within a small team environment and enjoys learning new skills. It is essential that the ideal candidate possess the following attributes:

• HNC/D Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• At least 3 years mechanical design/drawing DFM experience.
• Strong 3D CAD design skills (ideally using Solidworks).
• Proficient in design of - Custom hydraulic manifolds and pressure vessels/hydraulic components.
• Proficient with general drawing office methodology and experience of PLM systems etc.
• Experience - Compilation of Bills of Materials, Engineering Changes, Document Rev control.
• Experience - Supervising assembly and test of custom hydraulic components and systems.
• Competent ability to write technical reports, documenting performance characteristics and user manuals, compliance documentation verifying products to specific CEN directives.
• The ability to modify and develop existing products and system designs to improve performance whilst optimising products overall cost delivery to market.
• Experience of providing technical customer and production support post-handover.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplined team.

Created by: HR Department Version 4 09/02/2026

The ability to liaise with customers, sales engineers, and internal production/QA departments.

The ability to maintain detailed project files/technical files containing all relevant information.

The ability to co work and support other engineers with design drawings checking/sign off.

Ability to work in a structured way, managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.

A proactive, can-do attitude with the drive to try new things and learn on the job.

Strong team player who thrives in a collaborative environment.

Full UK driving licence.

Management may, from time to time, require you to carry out tasks in addition to your normal duties, provided these tasks are both reasonable and within your capabilities.

In addition to the above, desirable attributes would be as follows:

• Mechanical Engineering Degree.
• Modern Apprenticeship.
• Experience in design of pressure vessels and piped systems for the offshore and process industry (to PD5500, ASME, EN13445, API standards).
• Experience in FEA analysis of pressure vessels and pressurised equipment.
• Experience in CFD analysis of product designs.
• Knowledge and experience of 2D draft sight/Auto CAD.
• Knowledge of SAP.
• Knowledge of the pressure equipment directive (2014/68/EU).
• Knowledge of the ATEX directive (2014/34/EU).
• Knowledge of the Machinery directive (2006/42/EC).
• Hydraulic applications knowledge and hydraulic system schematic design and interpretation.
• DFM experience including detail drawing compilation with associated GD&T.
• Environmental & Eco design process compliance/Product life cycle BS EN ISO 14006/IEC 62430

Location:

The role will be based at our Engineering Facility in Witney, Oxfordshire. Hybrid working available after training period.

Hours of Work:

The Design and Development Engineer will work 08:30 to 17:00 Monday to Thursday, and 08:30 to 16:00 Friday, 37.5 hours a week.

Applications:

If you are interested in applying for the above position, please forward a covering letter and CV, including salary expectation, to [contact hidden].

Created by: HR Department Version 4 09/02/2026