Senior Design & Development Engineer - Prototype to Product

We are working with a high-growth AI technology company based in the Greater Cambridge area who are seeking a Senior Design & Development Engineer to take innovative concepts from early-stage prototypes through to refined, manufacturable products. This is a hands-on, multidisciplinary role for an engineer who enjoys building, experimenting, problem-solving, and iterating quickly in a dynamic R&D and workshop environment.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to design, prototype, and develop new products. You'll use CAD software to create detailed designs, refine concepts, and support rapid prototyping, while also building, testing, and iterating physical prototypes to improve performance, reliability, and manufacturability. You will be solving complex engineering challenges with practical, innovative solutions, improving product durability, efficiency, and overall design quality, all while working directly within workshop and R&D facilities.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on engineering skills, a passion for building and problem-solving, and proven experience taking products from concept through prototype to production. Proficiency with CAD software and a solid understanding of engineering principles are essential, along with the ability to learn new tools and systems quickly. A proactive, self-driven mindset is important, as is excellent teamwork and communication, as you will be collaborating closely with colleagues across multiple disciplines. This is a fully onsite role, and you must be able to work from the company's workshop and R&D facilities five days a week.

This is a senior-level role offering the opportunity to have a direct impact on product outcomes and to work across the full product lifecycle. The successful candidate will join a fast-paced, innovative environment where hands-on experimentation, creative problem-solving, and rapid iteration are valued and rewarded.

If you are an experienced engineer who thrives on taking ideas from concept to production and wants to work on cutting-edge AI-driven technology, we would love to hear from you.

Zero Surplus is one of the UK's premier recruitment agencies, based just outside Cambridge our recruiters source staff for small and international businesses across Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Northants, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, and the rest of the UK.

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