MARS Recruitment
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

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Mechanical Design Engineer | Maritime | AUV | Robotics | Reading – Hybrid | £60,000pa - plus share scheme & benefits
A once in a lifetime opportunity has arisen for a passionate Mechanical Design Engineer to join a stealth robotics company based in the Oxfordshire area. This amazing business and AUV submersible robot has massive potential across a range of different industry sectors. The Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for the design, develop, and validate advanced mechanical sub-systems for their next generation unmanned underwater platforms. This role will play a pivotal part in enhancing the capability, performance, and durability of submersible robotic systems.
If you’re passionate about robotics within the maritime industry and the autonomous vehicle and unmanned vehicle industry, you honestly need to make contact with us, this one is not to be missed. Candidates must be British Citizens or have lived in the UK for a minimum of 5 years, due to needing SC clearance.
Key Responsibilities
- Conceptualise and develop mechanical solutions to meet milestone deliverables.
- Produce robust technical drawings to BS 8888 standards for both in-house assembly and external manufacture.
- Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes to meet performance and durability goals.
- Review and check manufacturing drawings and mechanical designs.
- Manage personal tasks and priorities to ensure timely delivery of project objectives.
- Integrate a wide array of sensors (e.g., sonar, cameras, and other sensitive electronics) and actuators using established engineering practices.
- Lead testing and validation efforts, including hardware testing and live sea trials, ensuring performance in demanding marine environments.
- Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team—including systems, software, and electrical engineers—to ensure cohesive system integration.
- Maintain clear documentation and manage document control using defined revision control processes.
- Chair and participate in engineering design reviews.
- Contribute to and help improve internal engineering processes and procedures.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field
- 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering design.
- Strong expertise in SolidWorks for modelling, assembly, analysis, and drafting.
- Ability to work in field conditions, including support for field testing and sea deployments.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in maritime, defence, or subsea robotics industries.
- Knowledge of complex mechanisms, PCB integration, and thermal management in constrained environments.
- Proficiency in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in presenting and chairing design reviews.
- Familiarity with modern manufacturing techniques and processes.
- Hands-on experience with assembly of complex mechanical systems including motors, linkages, flexible and rigid structures, and PCB integration.
- Understanding of ergonomics and anthropometrics.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
If you’re passionate about both robotics, in particular autonomous underwater or submersible vehicle and unmanned vehicle industry, and you love mechanical engineering within this space, please get in touch ASAP.
MARS Recruitment
MARS Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and positively welcomes applications from suitably qualified applicants regardless of race, colour, sex, marital status, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other protected status. Suitable candidates for the role will be contacted within 3 working days, unfortunately if you haven’t heard back in this time your application has been unsuccessful at this time.
MARS Recruitment is a specialist Engineering & IT recruiter working in partnership with companies across the UK and offers services of both an Employment Business (for Temporary/Contract roles) and an Employment Agency (for Permanent roles).
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