Mechanical Design Engineer

Cellular Origins

Cell therapies have been shown to cure devastating and previously untreatable diseases like cancer by re-programming the patient's own immune system. Giving more patients access to these life-saving therapies requires a revolution in manufacturing and process automation.  

Cellular Origins, is enabling scalable, cost-effective and efficient manufacture of cell and gene therapies. Our technology addresses the challenges associated with manufacturing at scale with an elegant robotic manufacturing automation solution that reduces cost and labour, eliminates human error, and increases efficiency.

We’re looking for an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with an instinct for precision mechatronic devices and automation systems with the pace to move from blank page to convincing concept quickly. You’ll play a key role in shaping robust, manufacturable designs for our robotic manufacturing system, and you’ll also help us explore and communicate how the system integrates into customer facilities.

This is a hands-on mechanical design role with real autonomy. You’ll take ownership of critical modules, and you’ll also support early-stage investigations into new customer layouts and integrations. That means creating concept models, prototype CAD layouts, and clear visuals that help teams align early and start projects faster, with fewer surprises later.

You’ll join a fast-growing, interdisciplinary team, working with people who love solving worthwhile problems and care about getting the details right. 

This role will be a full time on-site position at our campus in Melbourn.

What you’ll do:

• Own mechanical design of key modules, from concept through to detailed, manufacturable release.
• Quickly turn around concept models that integrate into existing facilities and or tools.
• Rapidly produce prototype CAD layouts, 3D renderings, and layout drawings for factory and cleanroom environments.
• Capture core integration requirements and turn them into clear material that supports further development.
• Provide content to support early-stage investigations into layouts for existing and new customers.
• Ensure concepts align with technical road maps across the engineering teams, helping speed up project start up.
• Work with prototyping companies to create realistic models where needed to support renders, layouts, and stakeholder conversations.
• Build tolerance analyses and use appropriate analytical techniques to support design choices and reduce risk early.
• Use tools such as FMEA to identify and mitigate technical risks, without slowing progress.
• Collaborate closely across mechanical, systems, software, electronics, and operations to land designs that are practical to build, test, maintain, and scale.

• Mechanical Engineering or a similar discipline, with relevant industrial experience (degree or vocational route).
• Proven, hands-on experience developing products and delivering them into manufacture.
• The ability to work within existing designs, rapidly pulling layouts and concepts together.
• Strong 3D CAD skills (ideally SolidWorks), and a track record of producing clear, useful outputs at pace.
• Experience creating prototype CAD layouts, integration concepts, and factory layout drawings that help teams make decisions.
• Deep experience of material and manufacturing method selection, and producing accurate technical documentation to BS8888 including GD&T’s.
• Confidence building tolerance analyses and using analytical techniques to support your design work.
• Understanding of GMP and clean room environments.
• Working knowledge of lab-based biological processing equipment is advantageous.
• A practical, risk-aware mindset, using approaches like FMEA to move quickly while staying disciplined.

Experience from medical devices, consumer products, automotive, aerospace, or digital printing can be a great fit, but what matters most is how you design, how you collaborate, and how you think.

Cellular Origins is based on the TTP Campus, within purpose-built sustainable offices, labs and green surroundings, 10 miles south of Cambridge.  Our working culture encourages entrepreneurship, shared ideas and collaboration, while providing you the freedom to do your best work.   

Our employee benefits include:  

• Annual bonus  
• 25 days holiday  
• Employer pension contribution of 10% of salary 
• Free lunch and all-day refreshments  
• Private medical insurance for employees and dependants  
• Enhanced family friendly leave  
• Life insurance worth 6x salary  
• Electric car leasing scheme  
• Cycle to work scheme  
• Season ticket loan  
• Activities and community that supports healthy activities that bring colleagues together; whether it’s lunchtime squash or football, Zumba or our own rock band. Colleagues initiate new clubs and outings whenever they feel there’s something missing!