Mechanical Design/Project Engineer

Hedley Studios makes officially branded drive-able little cars for luxury high-end motor manufacturers. We’re already making cars for Bugatti and Aston Martin Lagonda, Ferrari, Tamiya, Bentley and there are more to follow.

Beautifully engineered vehicles don't just appear at our client's front doors - they are a result of months and sometimes years of meticulous design, dedicated craftsmanship, uncompromising testing and a personal customer experience second to none.

The role:
As a mechanical engineer at Hedley Studios you will be helping to recreate some of the most iconic cars in history at various scales with electric powertrains. Working on whole vehicle design and development, on aspects ranging from chassis and suspension to beautifully crafted instrument panels and leather interiors and all things in between.
This requires a broadbrush knowledge of vehicle systems and manufacturing processes, as we produce our vehicles utilising traditional techniques such as metal spinning, all the way to prepreg composites. Few have a detailed knowledge of every material and process, so we are looking for people who have a wide spanning interest in vehicle design and development.

There will also be the opportunity to support events at Bicester Heritage such as Sunday Scrambles as well as vehicle testing and other events.

The day-to-day responsibilities:
•    Take whole vehicle designs from prototype to manufacture in short timescales.
•    Work within the Engineering team to design and develop all mechanical elements of a car and integrate vehicle systems. 
•    Work with the wider project team to keep projects on specification and on schedule, having an overall view of the design status of whole vehicles.
•    Participate in design reviews and project meetings when required.
•    Participate in and support the build and testing of prototype vehicles.
•    Participate in and support the certification and homologation of pre-production vehicles and systems.
•    Deliver CAD data and drawings to enable the series production of the vehicles.
•    Support the production team and the wider company to deliver production vehicles.
•    Problem solving and issue resolution.
•    Updating existing design data and associated revision control.
•    Help develop engineering processes. Continually looking for opportunities to make designs better, safer, more efficient.
•    Work with the wider company to maintain and improve quality and value, finding cost savings wherever possible.
•    Help develop engineering process. Continually looking for opportunities to make designs better, safer, more efficient. 

Required skills:
Essential:
•    A degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent Mechanical Engineering qualification.
•    A background in niche, low volume or motorsport engineering with a broad understanding of vehicle systems.
•    High level of attention to detail and a focus on safety and minimising risk.
•    Able to create clean sheet designs, taking them from concept to manufacture.
•    Able to understand and translate design requirements into reality, including Type Approval and other legislative requirements.
•    Able to balance the technical and commercial aspects of component and system design.
•    A strong understanding of manufacturing processes and their appropriate selection.
•    Experienced in the integration of mechanical and electrical systems into a vehicle platform.
•    Skilled 3D CAD user. Preferably Solidworks.
•    Able to generate detailed component and assembly drawings.
•    Able to generate and manage Bills of Materials.
•    Experience of reviewing and signing off the work of others.
•    Some understanding of FEA methods.
•    Experience of vehicle testing and development.
•    Strong problem solving and lateral thinking skills.
•    A hands-on approach. Comfortable in the design office as well as in the workshop.

Nice to have: 
•    Knowledge of composite manufacturing techniques.
•    Knowledge of additive manufacturing / 3D printing.
•    An interest in and knowledge of electric systems.
•    FEA experience.
•    Motorsport experience.
•    Fabrication skills. 
•    Breadth of experience outside pure automotive, such as aerospace or robotics.