Senior Mechatronics Engineer

Purpose

To drive forward a pioneering research project aimed at advancing the design and development of custom wearables for animal applications. Working collaboratively with academic supervisors and industry partners, the role entails conducting in-depth research aiding animals by analysis and leveraging simulation tools like ANSYS and MATLAB to refine the mechanical and electronic systems. The Associate will play a crucial role in prototyping, testing, and validating the performance, ensuring alignment with industry standards and safety regulations. Through this project, the aim is to innovate and establish new benchmarks in animal equipment, ultimately enhancing the welfare and performance for competitive and recreational settings.

As part of this pioneering KTP project, you will have the opportunity to engage in international travel, including attending conferences, presenting research findings, and collaborating with global experts in biomechanics and engineering. These experiences will enhance your professional network and provide invaluable insights into international standards and practices. Additionally, successful completion of the project could pave the way for future employment opportunities, with the potential for continued collaboration with the business partner or other leading organizations in the field. Your involvement in developing cutting-edge solutions for biomechanics will position you as a sought-after professional, opening doors for long-term career advancement and contributions to
innovative projects beyond the initial KTP engagement.

Duties

1. Conduct comprehensive literature reviews on current methodologies and technologies in equestrian biomechanics and gait analysis.
2. Collaborate with academic and industry supervisors to develop a detailed project plan and timeline.
3. Utilize ANSYS multiphysics software to create and validate mechanical models for the custom designs.
4. Use MATLAB for numerical simulations and analysis of the electronic control system.
5. Prototype and fabricate iterations of the custom designs using appropriate materials and manufacturing techniques.
6. Perform thorough testing and validation of prototypes on animal subjects, ensuring safety and efficacy.
7. Analyse test data using advanced processing software to evaluate performance metrics and make design adjustments.
8. Document and report findings from testing phases to academic and business partners, including recommendations for further development.
9. Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations in conducting equestrian testing and research.
10. Participate in regular progress meetings with the Local Management Committee (LMC) and project stakeholders.
11. Contribute to the development of technical reports, presentations, and publications related to the project’s outcomes.
12. Support the dissemination of project results through conferences, workshops, and industry events.
13. Collaborate with business partners to integrate feedback and optimize the custom design for practical application.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (Essential)

• Strong background in mechanical design and analysis using tools like ANSYS for Multiphysics simulations (Application/Interview).
• Understanding of biomechanical principles, particularly related to animal locomotion and gait analysis (Application/Interview).
• Proficiency in designing and integrating electronic control systems, sensors, and data logging mechanisms (Application/Interview).
• Proven ability to conduct rigorous research, manage project timelines, and collaborate effectively with academic researchers, industry partners, and stakeholders (Application/Interview).
• Good honours degree (2:1 or above) in Mechatronics engineering (Application).
• Product design skill sets (Application/Interview).
• Ability to learn, adopt, and apply new skills (Application/Interview).
• Highly creative problem-solver (Application/Interview).
• Ability to critically analyse (Application/Interview).
• A deep understanding of materials, process characteristics, and constraints in relationship to successful product outcomes (Application/Interview).
• Ability to manage and develop reporting processes, create reports and presentations for different audiences (Application/Interview).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (Application/Interview).
• Adaptable and flexible approach to meeting targets and changing milestones Application/Interview).
• An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to the University’s Values of:
  Achieving Together, Being Proud, Creating Opportunity and Supporting All; as a framework for decisions, actions, and behaviours (Application/Interview).

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (Desirable)

• Hands-on experience in product development processes, including prototyping, testing, and iterating designs. Familiarity with fabrication techniques, materials selection, and translating design concepts into functional prototypes (Application/Interview).
• Masters degree or PhD in Bio-Mechatronics (Application).
• Research skills in applied animal environments (Application/Interview).
• Experience of quantitative and qualitative analytics (Application/Interview).
• Presentation skills (Application/Interview).