Research and Design Hydraulics Engineer

University of Bath - Mechanical Engineering

Salary: Starting from £22,000, rising to £23,000 additional £4,000 training budget

Closing Date: Monday 09 January 2012

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Reference: BB837

Job location: Dawlish, South Devon

The job

This two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is between Hydraulic Products Ltd (Hy-Pro) and the Centre for Power Transmission and Motion Control in the department Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath. It will research, design, test and prove a state-of-the-art, next generation range of sectional hydraulic control valves, with regard to future markets, energy efficiency and cost.

The company

Hy-Pro design, manufacture, assemble and distribute quality hydraulic valves, actuators and pumps from their site in Dawlish, South Devon. The business is divided into two main markets: marine autopilots (supplying leading autopilot manufacturers with hydraulic pumps, cylinders and valves for steering yachts and commercial craft); and mobile hydraulic control (specialising in bespoke solutions for smaller OEMs needing manual, solenoid and proportional control valves for worldwide industrial, mobile, marine and agricultural equipment markets). This project is focussed on the mobile hydraulic control business.

Candidate profile

A First or 2.1 in mechanical engineering is essential which should include a hydraulic module or have a substantial hydraulic component. At least 12 months industrial experience is also essential. Applicants will need to demonstrate, by giving examples of previous experience: market research skills; product analysis and needs capture; engineering design skills; knowledge of materials and manufacturing technologies; prototype design and test experience; good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a small team.

Applicants will be expected to show that they have the desire and ambition to manage and to control their own project and deliver the objectives without the need for continual supervision. Finally, as Hy-Pro is a small engineering company, applicants must be able to show that they have a confident and mature approach to their work to allow them to work collaboratively and to react responsively to the inherent work pressures in smaller organisation.

In addition to the salary and training budget the job includes the opportunity to study for a higher degree.