Senior Mechanical Development Engineer
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£46,800
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2122 (85% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £46,800, and Rayner is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2129 (Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified, Product development engineer focus on design and development work) or SOC 2127 (Engineering project managers and project engineers, Leads project teams and manages work packages). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2122 Mechanical engineers Most likely code | £33,400 | £37,400 | £42,100 | £46,800 |
2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified Also possible | £33,400 | £36,900 | £41,500 | £46,100 |
2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers Also possible | £36,300 | £41,500 | £46,700 | £51,900 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
The Senior Mechanical Development Engineer is responsible for the technical leadership, development, and lifecycle management of a portfolio of ophthalmic surgical products, including phacoemulsification (Phaco) accessories and vitreoretinal (VR) instruments.
Leads on technical engagement with new and existing suppliers, establishing robust design history documentation, and drives verification activities through to successful product release within a regulated medical device environment. Works in multidisciplinary project teams from across the company as well as collaborating externally with surgeons, inventors, research groups and universities.
Please note that this role is based on-site at Global HQ in Worthing, West Sussex.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Acts as the technical lead and subject matter expert for the Phaco accessory and VR instrument portfolio, providing ownership throughout the product lifecycle from new product development to sustaining engineering.
- Leads the mechanical design and development of new products, technologies, and product enhancements from concept through design transfer and commercial release.
- Takes ownership of product performance, manufacturability, reliability, and ongoing design improvements.
- Supports product lifecycle management activities, including design changes, obsolescence management, supplier changes, and continuous improvement projects.
- Provides technical leadership for cross-functional project teams.
- Delivers and reports on work packages within the scope of established Design Control procedures.
- Creates and maintains Design History Files (DHFs) in accordance with company procedures and applicable medical device regulations.
- Defines verification strategies and acceptance criteria. Develops verification protocols and test methods for Phaco accessories and VR instruments. Analyses test results and determines compliance against design requirements.
What Experience & Skills You Will Need:
Essential
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Significant experience developing or sustaining regulated medical devices.
- Strong understanding of design control and medical device development processes.
- Experience creating and maintaining Design History Files (DHFs).
- Experience leading engineering projects involving supplier qualification or manufacturing transfer.
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing product verification testing.
- Strong experience producing engineering documentation and technical reports.
- Proficiency in CAD and engineering drawing standards.
- Hands-on approach to problem-solving, root cause analysis, and technical decision-making.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
Desirable
- Experienced in design and development of ophthalmic surgical devices, phacoemulsification systems, surgical instruments or disposable medical devices, sterile barrier packaging.
- Experienced in high precision metal component design, CNC machining, and testing.
- Experienced in small plastic component design, injection moulding, vacuum form moulding and testing.
- Experience of working with international suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- Understanding of process validation, and process qualification activities.
- Familiarity with relevant medical device standards including ISO 13485 (Design Control section), ISO60601-1 and -2, ISO 80601-2-58, ISO 62366, and applicable packaging and transport standards.
What We Can Offer You:
- On-site Restaurant for affordable, convenient meals
- Private Healthcare (access to remote GP & Counselling) for peace of mind
- Monthly Massages to relax and recharge
- On-site Parking for convenience and cost efficiency
- Annual Wellbeing Reimbursement to care for your mind and body
- Pension Plan to secure your future
- Cycle-to-work Scheme to stay active and eco-friendly
- Enhanced Parental Pay to support new families
- Referral Bonus to benefit from recommending talent
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Rayner, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Mechanical engineers (SOC 2122) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~66k in sample- Middle half £38,896–59,800
- Median £48,516
- Going rate £46,800
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–42,100
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at RaynerAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Rayner holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2122 going rate of £46,800. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.