Job Vacancies

Senior R&D Design Engineer

Location: Peterborough, UK

Are you ready to help shape the future of manufacturing? Join Photocentric Ltd, an award-winning innovator in 3D printing technology with operations in the UK and the USA. We’re transforming how products are made through our patented, disruptive 3D printing processes which are designed and manufactured right here in Peterborough and exported worldwide.

Photocentric is a global leader in 3D printing innovation, pioneering the use of LCD screens and photopolymer resin to drive the future of additive manufacturing. From groundbreaking developments in large-format 3D printers to cutting-edge photopolymer material science, we are reshaping the manufacturing landscape with solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for a talented Mechanical Design Engineer who thrives in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment. This is your opportunity to lead cutting-edge projects, influence product strategy, and make a real impact in a growing global business.

Key Responsibilities for the Senior R&D Design Engineer will include:

As a Senior R&D Design Engineer, you will:

• Working within our Mechanical Design Engineering team to design and development of our next-generation products from concept through to testing and launch.
• Assisting with shaping our technical roadmap based on emerging technologies, customer needs, and market trends.
• Creating detailed CAD models engineering drawings using Fusion 360.
• Driving continuous improvement by enhancing existing products and manufacturing processes.
• Developing mechanical components, assemblies, and systems from concept through to production.
• Conducting engineering calculations for stress, thermal, and tolerance analysis.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams including applications, materials, procurement and production.
• Supporting prototyping, testing, and validation of new products.
• Identifying and resolvingmechanical design issues through iterative development and testing.
• Preparing documentation including BOMs (Bills of Materials), test procedures, and design reports.
• Participating in design reviews, FMEA, and risk assessments.

Required Education, Skills and Qualifications of our Senior R&D Design Engineer :

• Proven experience in R&D, with a track record of working in a team bringing innovative products to market.
• Experience of designing machine builds would be useful
• A background in mechanical engineering within a manufacturing or technology-focused environment.
• Strong hands-on design skills, especially with systems involving control systems, sensors, actuators, or conveyors.
• Problem-solving skills in a fast-moving setting.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• A genuine passion for innovation and 3D printing technology.

What We Offer:

• Access to industry-leading 3D printing and prototyping equipment.
• Competitive salary tailored to your experience.
• Enhanced pension contributions.
• Minimum of 24 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes with free on-site EV charging.
• Free use of our on-site gym.
• A supportive and social working environment within a talented and collaborative team.

We are unable to support working visas for this role

If you’re excited by innovation and want to be part of a company that’s changing how things are made and become our Senior R&D Design Engineer, please click ‘apply’ now! we want to hear from you.

Graduate Mechanical Design Engineers

Location: Peterborough, UK

Are you a talented recent graduate—or about to graduate—with a passion for engineering and innovation? Join Photocentric, an award-winning and fast-growing company at the forefront of 3D printing technology. We’re looking for Graduate Mechanical Design Engineers to be part of our dynamic team developing cutting-edge 3D printing products in a collaborative, hands-on environment.

Based in Peterborough, with a U.S. subsidiary, Photocentric is home to a number of patented, market-leading technologies. We offer a fully equipped workshop, full prototyping capabilities, and an open, friendly culture that supports innovation and creativity.

About the Role

As a Graduate Design Engineer, you will:

• Assist in the design and development of 3D printers from concept through to production
• Create and develop CAD models and detailed engineering drawings for components and assemblies
• Design, build, and test functional prototypes
• Plan and conduct experiments to validate new technologies
• Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team to create next-generation 3D printers
• Stay up to date with emerging trends and advancements in 3D printing

What We’re Looking For:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or a related field
• Strong academic performance
• A creative, inquisitive mindset and a genuine passion for innovation
• CAD skills
• A proactive attitude and eagerness to learn in a fast-paced R&D environment
• Demonstrated interest in 3D printing technologies

What We Offer:

• Access to state-of-the-art 3D printing and prototyping facilities, including for personal projects
• Flexible working hours
• On-the-job training and development
• Minimum of 24 days annual holiday
• Electric bike schemes, including free EV car charging
• Free on-site gym
• A vibrant, inclusive company culture with a strong social scene

This is a fantastic opportunity to kick-start your engineering career and help shape the future of 3D printing. If you’re ready to be challenged and inspired, we want to hear from you.

Space Hardware Development Engineer

Location: Peterborough, UK

Are you ready to build the future of in-space manufacturing?

Cosmic Maker is on a mission to revolutionise how we build in orbit. Born from Photocentric Ltd an award-winning leader in 3D printing technology, Cosmic Maker is now venturing beyond Earth to develop the world’s first autonomous LCD-based 3D printer for space. Backed by the European Space Agency and supported by the UK Space Agency’s LEO Accelerator, we’re poised to demonstrate real manufacturing capability in microgravity, starting with ceramics and plastics, and eventually, metals.

This journey has already been recognised through our selection to join the UK Space Agency’s LEO Accelerator, positioning Cosmic Maker at the forefront of the UK’s ambitions in orbital innovation. Our next milestone is to validate our flight hardware on a parabolic flight campaign and prepare for integration with the International Space Station.

We are now looking for a Space Hardware Development Engineer who is Mechanical focus to join our growing team in Peterborough. This is your opportunity to contribute to a ground-breaking programme that will help build the foundations of sustainable human presence in space.

Key Responsibilities for the Space Hardware Development Engineer will include:

As a Graduate Design Engineer, you will:

• Lead the design and integration of the Cosmic Maker II flight-ready 3D printing system for microgravity operations.
• Conduct and oversee structural, thermal, and vibration analyses, ensuring hardware compliance with ESA/UKSA and flight provider standards.
• Define and shape the system’s mechanical architecture to achieve flight readiness.
• Collaborate with project partners to deliver certifiable, flight-qualified hardware.
• Work closely with materials scientists to adapt system design for advanced ceramic and photopolymer printing.
• Draft and review technical documentation including test procedures, hazard analyses, ICDs, and design reports.
• Contribute to design reviews, risk assessments, and flight readiness reviews, representing the mechanical discipline.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians.
• Play an active role in shaping Cosmic Maker’s roadmap to ISS integration and beyond, helping define the future of autonomous in-space manufacturing.

Required Education, Skills, and Qualifications of our Space Hardware Development Engineer:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Space Systems Engineering.
• Proven experience in mechanical design ideally in aerospace and space systems.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as Fusion 360 or SolidWorks and FEA tools for structural and thermal analysis.
• Familiarity with space qualification standards (ECSS, ESA, or equivalent).
• Strong analytical mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with industrial and agency stakeholders.

Desirable:

• Experience with microgravity platforms (parabolic flights, drop towers, ISS payloads).
• Background in Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing or advanced materials.
• Knowledge of automation and robotics in aerospace systems.

What We Offer:

• The chance to work on a European Space Agency funded flight project at the frontier of space manufacturing.
• Access to industry-leading 3D printing and prototyping equipment.
• Competitive salary tailored to experience.
• Enhanced pension contributions.
• Minimum of 24 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes with free on-site EV charging.
• Free use of our on-site gym.
• A supportive and social working environment within a talented and collaborative team.

If you’re excited by the idea of manufacturing in orbit and want to be part of a project that’s changing how things are made in space and become our Space Hardware Development Engineer, please click ‘apply today’ now! We’d love to hear from you.