CAD & Mechanical Design Technician

  CAD & Mechanical Design Technician Employment Type: Full-timeJob Location: Herne Bay, Kent, UKJob Grade: Professional P3 Purpose of Role To support the Mechanical Engineering team in the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of fire detection and life-safety products by providing CAD support, product-data management, engineering-change support, prototyping and technical documentation. The role supports New Product Development, Sustaining Engineering and productivity activities, helping the team maintain accurate design data and deliver engineering changes efficiently. Key Responsibilities CAD and Design Support Create and update 3D CAD parts, assemblies and associated 2D engineering drawings. Implement general design changes under the direction of the Mechanical Engineering Lead or a Mechanical Design Engineer. Maintain accurate CAD records, drawing revisions and supporting design documentation. Support sustaining engineering, obsolescence and product-improvement activities. Product Data and PLM Create and maintain parts, assemblies, bills of materials and product structures within the PLM system. Ensure mechanical product data, attributes and documentation are complete and accurate. Support configuration management and controlled release of engineering data. Engineering Change Management Create and progress engineering change requests and associated documentation. Support change-impact reviews and implementation of approved changes. Coordinate supporting information with Engineering, Operations, Quality and Supply Chain as required. Maintain clear and auditable change records. Prototyping and Development Support Operate 3D-printing and rapid-prototyping equipment. Produce prototype parts, assemblies and evaluation samples. Support prototype builds, design reviews, engineering investigations and verification activities. Maintain prototyping equipment, materials and sample records. Processes and Work Instructions Create and update engineering processes, assembly instructions and work instructions. Produce clear visual and written documentation to support repeatable engineering and manufacturing activities. Support standardisation and continuous improvement of Mechanical Engineering methods and documentation. Key Working Relationships Mechanical Engineering Lead and Mechanical Design Engineers. Devices, Infrastructure and Sustaining Engineering teams. Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Assurance and Supply Chain. Engineering Change and Product Lifecycle Management stakeholders. Person Specification Essential Good technical aptitude and an interest in mechanical design and product development. Ability to interpret engineering drawings and follow controlled engineering processes. Strong attention to detail and an organised approach to records and documentation. Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively with engineers and wider business functions. Clear written and verbal communication skills. Desirable Experience using 2D or 3D CAD software; SolidEdge experience would be advantageous. Experience using a PLM, PDM or engineering change-management system. Experience with bills of materials, part creation or controlled engineering documentation. Experience with 3D printing, prototyping or workshop activities. Experience within product development, manufacturing, fire detection, life safety or another regulated engineering environment. Success Measures CAD and drawing updates completed accurately and to agreed timescales. PLM records and product structures maintained correctly. Engineering changes progressed efficiently with complete supporting evidence. Prototype and 3D-printing activities delivered to plan. Work instructions and process documents are clear, controlled and fit for use. Positive contribution to Mechanical Engineering capacity, responsiveness and delivery. Development Opportunity This role provides a development route into broader mechanical product-design responsibilities. With suitable experience and demonstrated capability, progression may be available towards Mechanical Design Engineer or other product-engineering roles.