Mechanical Engineer (Contractor)

📋 Description

• Design, build and commission hydraulic test rigs for heat pumps.
• Hands-on assembly and plumbing of water-side and refrigerant systems.
• Instrument rigs with temperature, flow and pressure measurement; run tests.
• Diagnose hydraulic, thermal and mechanical issues on live systems.
• Collaborate with the R&D team to iterate designs balancing performance, cost and manufacturability.
• Produce clear documentation: test plans, build instructions, results and design records.

🎯 Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline).
• Minimum 5 years' relevant experience in an R&D, product development or test environment.
• Demonstrable heat pump knowledge and understanding of hydraulic systems.
• Strong hands-on experience; ability to build, plumb, commission and fault-find systems.
• Experience working with hydraulic systems - pumps, valves, heat exchangers, tanks and pipework.
• Comfortable instrumenting rigs and interpreting test data to draw engineering conclusions.

🎁 Benefits

• Hands-on R&D role at the leading edge of UK heat pump tech.
• Well-equipped facility to build and test real hardware.
• Collaborative, fast-moving team with practical engineering judgement.
• Competitive contract day rate based on experience.
• Autonomy and co-ownership within Octopus Energy culture.
• Visit Octopus Employee Benefits.