Mechanical Design Engineer

Internal Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer

Business: Lawson Fuses Ltd

Location: Ponteland, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

Job Reference No: 3966

Job Purpose: 

Are you someone who is driven to solve problems? Do you thrive on developing ideas from insight into viable solutions?  Are you highly skilled in the design of mechanical parts?

If that sounds like you then we have an exciting opportunity to join Lawson Fuses as a Mechanical Design Engineer as part of our expanding R&D team, who are working together to research and develop new products to enhance our current offering.   This is a role that will involve close collaboration with the team and wider business to create innovative solutions as we move forward into the future of fuse design.

You will need an appetite for continuous learning, resilience and flexibility with a determination to succeed.  You will need to be able to work independently and as part of a team and use your initiative to solve problems and be part of a developing culture of innovation and enterprise.

As Mechanical Design Engineer you will design and develop a wide range of fuses (fuse-links and fuse-holders) and ancillary equipment from a mechanical point of view, working closely with the electrical fuse designer and adhering to all fuse standards and component certifications.

You will help to ensure a continuous and consistent project development program whilst ensuring continued compliance for sustained products which are predominantly Low Voltage HRC Fuses.

The role will also be required to use the knowledge gained from this process to assist and support the operations and quality departments as required, particularly for prototyping and new product introduction and will lead the technical drawing function in both 2D and 3D drawings following a rigid revision control process.

Business Overview: 

Lawson Fuses specialises in the design, development and manufacturing of low voltage, High-Rupturing Capacity (HRC) fuse links and fuse holders. Sold direct and via distributors, applications include electric /electronic capital equipment, utilities, renewable energy and domestic households.

Job Context: 

The role is key to the R&D Department and is a new specialised position which requires a solid mechanical design capability to be able to design, from a standing start, a range of fuse-links and fuse-holders and ancillary equipment to add to the product portfolio of the company.

The likely candidate will be skilled in the design of mechanical parts, including the interference fit / push fit connection of copper or brass end caps to a ceramic barrel so a standardised tensile pull test figure can be determined. Some knowledge of thermal properties of materials will be helpful to enable the required dimensions and type of material required in each project.  Initial training will be given but you will be expected to be proactive at self-learning.

Job Dimensions: 

Working as part of a small but growing R&D team this role reports into the R&D Manager and works closely with the whole R & D team.

Some foreign travel may be required to witness external testing and liaise with customers and support functions – current test houses with required facilities are in India, Germany, Spain.

Key Accountabilities: 

These will include:

Responsibility for the mechanical aspect of all new developments and sustained products
Control and development of all technical drawings – 2D / 3D, reading and producing.
Accountable for meeting all specification from relevant standards and ASTA certification.
Understanding and operation of the functions with the Low Voltage Type Test equipment to produce accurate tensile test and pressure test reports.
Developing compliance solutions as and when required
Producing reports to ISO 17025 guidelines of internal work and for external testing, learning and customer/supplier visits
Producing formal datasheets for product release
Leading the technical drawing of all new and sustained components and will be capable of producing 2D and 3D drawings. 2D drawings will be AutoCAD, 3D may be SolidWorks.
Manufacture of new elements that are one of the crucial parts of a fuse. This process is currently manual now, but will be moving to a laser cutting option shortly
Assistance with datasheets to inform customers of all standardised dimensions and material data
Assisting in ensuring all testing and activities within the laboratory are performed with full recourse to the certification and all health and safety guidelines. Some tests are mechanically biased such as tensile testing and pressure testing of ceramic barrels and operating these machines will be a key role in the validation process of new and sustained components.  The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 and is ASTA (Association of Short Circuit Test Authorities) approved.
Producing ISO 17025 reports to accurately demonstrate all testing completed and interpretation of the results against the specified requirements to draw scientific conclusions and ensure all data relating to the product development is documented and filed. This will be part of the adherence to the Lawson Fuses StageGate procedure to control all projects
Responsible for full revision control of all documentation and following of all processes and procedures such as use of change note requests for changing specification and drawings. 
Performing risk management to absolutely minimize and risks and mitigate remaining risks either within the R&D environment or externally within Operations.
Establishing and maintaining relationships with 3rd parties/vendors and actively source relevant material with best terms and conditions to be able to hand over the whole project to Operations, Purchasing and Quality Departments.Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience 

HNC or Higher in Mechanical Engineering
Reasonable mechanical design experience in an industrial environment, ideally in the electrical engineering arena
Expert in push-fit connectivity and tolerances between copper and ceramic
Good understanding of tolerance stacking to minimise component variation
Some tool room experience to be able to manufacture test jigs and fixtures
Experienced with reading and understanding IEC Technical Standards
Excellent Report Writing Skills
Skilled in the design of mechanical parts, including the push fit connection of copper or brass end caps to a ceramic barrel so a standardised tensile pull test figure can be determined. Some knowledge of thermal properties of materials will be helpful to enable the required dimensions and type of material required in each project.
A good knowledge of fuse standards and standards in general will be required or a deep interest and willingness to become expert in all necessary standards that apply to our business. These are currently the IEC 60269 range of standards (Part one to Part 7, covering Industrial, household, semiconductor, Photovoltaic and Battery protection fuses)
Some workshop experience would be helpful to enable test jigs and ancillary parts to be manufactured, either in house or sub contracted
An understanding of the full life cycle of products from concept to product release and ongoing support, along with all the problem-solving techniques that will be required along the way.
Experience of plastic design and moulding would be desirable or a willingness to understand this process and technology
Knowledge of the range of IEC 60269 standards would be a major advantageBehavioural Competencies

The capability to physically present to a multi skilled audience to show progress of each project and respond accordingly to any questions raised from the review
The capability to initially research a subject and then drive that forward to development
An experienced problem solver with a series of tools to assist in the process
Must have an appetite for new knowledge and continuous learning
The ability to work both independently and as an integral part of a team
A positive outlook is required as with a lot of research, breaking through to a required solution requires determination and resilience.Does this sound interesting? We would love to hear from you. Our application process is quick and easy. Apply today! 

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