R&D Engineer - Innovation

R&D Engineer (Innovation), Oxford.

YASA, in partnership with Mercedes Benz, are leading the way in EV Motor Revolution with YASA Axial Flux Technology. Our motor is 4 times more powerful than the current technology used in all Electric Vehicles, as well as being 50% lighter and half the size. YASA was founded in 2009 on the belief that small, powerful, and efficient electric motors would play an increasingly important role in meeting the strict emissions targets being set by policymakers globally.

We now supply a number of world-leading OEMs in the automotive industry with innovative powertrain solutions based on our axial-flux electric motors and controllers.

YASA’s culture, technology, and market opportunity attracts world-class talent. We are always looking for motivated people who enjoy the challenges and opportunities of working in a fast-growing company and who possess a strong ‘can-do’ attitude as part of a close team.

"The innovation team is a group of focused, high-performing, and motivated individuals concentrating on rapid technology development and problem-solving. We work quickly and efficiently on defining new opportunities to test them as early as possible to find the limits of new ideas and solutions to design, process, and materials challenges. When building new parts or motors to test we look to 'fail fast & learn quickly!'. If you believe you fit the mould, we'd love to have you in our teams" Tim Woolmer (CTO) & Simon Odling (Chief of New Technology)

The role:

Working within the New Technology team, and reporting to the Lead Development Engineer, the R&D Engineer (or Senior Engineer) will be joining a talented team of like-minded Engineers, working on cutting-edge R&D projects for our innovation team. The role will have a dynamic workload and will suit an individual who has a keen interest in technology, and who is willing to work in a fast-paced environment. They will be producing solutions that arise from new product designs, customer requests, and other ad hoc R&D activities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing ideas and solutions to challenges arising from new technologies, products & designs within the innovation team.

• Developing test methods and equipment design to support R&D activities.
• Performing material selection, design calculations , and performance analysis on components and assemblies
• Detailing and designing 3D and 2D prototype part CAD using best practices.
• Building and testing prototype coupons, parts and assemblies, or supporting on larger/more complex projects.
• Supporting DFMEAs and completing actions required to mitigate risks.
• Making initial contact and further liaising with suppliers on R&D and prototyping activities.
• Communicating results and progress to internal and external customers

Skills and Experience required:

• Degree or equivalent in mechanical engineering (or a similar field, such as Aerospace or Automotive Engineering) with previous experience in an R&D and design environment
• Strong understanding of general engineering and physics principles and proven ability to apply them and provide ‘real world’ solutions
• Experience in 3D and 2D CAD packages including release of manufacturing drawings.
• Experience with Siemens NX CAD software package preferred.
• Experience with PLM tools such as Siemens Teamcenter preferred
• Ability to perform initial hand calculations, carry results into mechanical FEA studies and similar where necessary, then propose solutions/improvements in new products
• Creative problem solver, with an analytical approach to implementation
• Familiar with FMEAs and robust engineering practices
• Understanding of design for assembly and high-volume manufacturing constraints, ability to pragmatically apply their relevance to new product R&D
• Good understanding of materials and joining technologies and associated mechanical properties and processing
• Knowledge and experience of ‘hands-on’ build and test methods including data capture/processing, interpretation and reporting
• Confident with customers and suppliers, able to organise and support commercial activities at very low volume/prototype level
  

Benefits:

• Discretionary bonus / 28 days’ holiday / Pension scheme / Private medical plan with Bupa and 4 x death in service / Company lease car scheme /Professional Registration Subscription Fees/ Other benefits include a cycle-to-work scheme, flexible working hours, and monthly social activities.