Director Mechanical Engineering

At CoMind, we are developing a non-invasive neuromonitoring technology that will result in a new era of clinical brain monitoring. In joining us, you will be helping to create cutting-edge technologies that will improve how we diagnose and treat brain disorders, ultimately improving and saving the lives of patients across the world. THE ROLE: The Mechanical Engineering team at CoMind is responsible for the design of CoMind’s device, spanning mechanical design of instruments and consumables, opto-mechanical components, electronic assemblies and packaging. The role reports in the Director of Hardware Engineering. With close collaboration with Product and Program Management the team works from concept through to production, ensuring that mechanical designs meet the performance and reliability demands of a clinical medical device. As Engineering Manager for Mechanical Engineering, you will lead a team of mechanical engineers through the iterative design, build and test phases to create mechanical designs which fulfil design input requirements and successful complete design verification and validation campaigns. Working alongside CoMind’s contract manufacturing partners, you will ensure that design deliverables can be successfully transferred into serial production. This is a hands-on leadership role: you will drive technical decisions, own the mechanical workstream, and personally contribute to complex design challenges, while managing the team to programme milestones and design control processes. You will lead and mentor the team of mechanical engineers, and establish and maintain the development process and tools (CAD, PDM, modelling) required by the Mechanical Engineering Team, maintaining a high standard of quality and performance. At CoMind, all team members work at least 4 days per week in the office, plus a flexible work-from-home day. This role can be based in either our London (Kings Cross) or Bristol office. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Lead and develop a team of mechanical engineers, setting clear development goals, providing technical mentorship, and maintaining a high standard of engineering practice * Own the mechanical engineering function and lead the realization of mechanical components from concept through to validated hardware. * Personally contribute to mechanical design work, including CAD modelling, tolerance analysis, FEA simulation, and design for manufacture and assembly * Drive design reviews, risk assessments, and V&V activities across mechanical subsystems, ensuring performance is robustly characterised before design freeze * Own the mechanical interfaces with optical, electronic, and manufacturing subsystems, working cross-functionally to resolve integration challenges * Establish and maintain mechanical design standards, toolchain choices, and documentation in line with CoMind’s QMS, ISO 13485, and IEC 60601-1 * Manage relationships with contract manufacturers and key suppliers for mechanical components and assemblies, supporting DFM and manufacturing readiness reviews * AI is fundamental to our culture — it’s not just a tool, but a core part of how we work, collaborate, and innovate. We expect all team members to embrace AI in their daily work and continuously find new ways to use it effectively SKILLS & EXPERIENCE * 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with at least 2 years in a team lead or engineering management role * Hands-on experience designing precision mechanical or optomechanical systems, with a track record of delivering complex hardware products from concept through to validated production * Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks or equivalent) and associated tools for tolerance analysis, FEA, and thermal modelling * Experience designing for manufacture and assembly (DFM/DFA), including managing relationships with contract manufacturers and component suppliers * Experience in a regulated industry (medical devices, defence, or similar), with familiarity with IEC 60601, ISO 14971, ISO 13485, and design control processes * Strong cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to represent the mechanical team in system-level technical discussions * Experience with manufacturing assembly processes or precision manufacturing at production scale for instrumentation and/or high volume products. NICE TO HAVE * Background in optomechanical design or integration of precision optical systems * Experience with miniaturisation of complex electromechanical assemblies for portable or wearable devices BENEFITS: * Company equity plan so all employees share in the success of the company * Salary-sacrifice pension scheme * Private medical, dental and vision insurance (medical history disregarded) * Group life assurance at 4x annual income * Comprehensive mental health support, including unlimited access to 1:1 sessions with trained professionals * Unlimited holiday allowance (+ bank holidays) and one week of remote working per quarter * Lunch voucher (£10) every day for JustEat and free dinner on those days where you need to work later * Twice weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and an extensive selection of snacks and drinks * YuLife subscription, allowing you to turn your daily steps and meditation into discounts at a range of stores DISCLAIMER - We use AI notetaking tools to transcribe interviews for internal review. 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Profile The Chief, Airworthiness DHC 7-8 is responsible for leading a team of Airworthiness Engineering personnel on the DHC 7-8 platform and ensuring the effective execution of aircraft certification, foreign validation, continuing airworthiness, and support to relevant Design Approval Organization (DAO) activities. The position is accountable for workload management, employee development, project execution, and regulatory compliance while supporting company objectives and program milestones. This position will report to the Manager, Airworthiness functionally and dotted-line reporting to the Director, Engineering DHC 7-8.   Duties & Responsibilities * Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Airworthiness personnel to ensure technical competency, professional growth, and organizational effectiveness. * Establish clear performance expectations, objectives, and priorities for team members. * Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus. * Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and talent development activities. * Address performance issues and recognize employee achievements in accordance with company policies. * Responsible for chairing an effective Technical ACC and CARB meetings for the DHC 7-8 platform including all associated preparation work and deliverables of ACC minutes and K-briefs. * Ensure departmental processes, certification records, compliance documentation, trackers, databases, and technical repositories are current, appropriately controlled, and organized to support self-service access, traceability, and continuity of operations. * Plan, prioritize, assign, and balance workload across the DHC 7-8 Airworthiness team to support business objectives and project commitments. * Monitor resource capacity, workload distribution, and project demands to ensure efficient utilization of personnel. * Ensure employees understand and meet commitments, schedules, deliverables, and quality expectations. * Review team progress regularly and ensure risks, issues, and delays are identified and addressed proactively. * Ensure weekly reporting of project status, accomplishments, upcoming activities, and key risks. * Act as the primary liaison between the company and regulatory authorities for the DHC 7-8 platforms, ensuring effective communication, coordination, and resolution of matters related to certification, foreign validation, continuing airworthiness, service difficulty reporting, regulatory compliance, and product integrity. * Manage Type Certification, Foreign Validation, Continuing Airworthiness, and support DAO activities as required throughout the product lifecycle of the DHC 7-8 platform and ensure alignment with company objectives, regulatory requirements, and program schedules. * Support the development of certification plans in collaboration with technical specialists. * Ensure timely completion of certification, validation, and continuing airworthiness deliverables. * Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with DAO procedures, engineering processes, and applicable regulatory requirements. * Maintain oversight of certification activities, continuing airworthiness actions, and Service Difficulty Reporting (SDR) obligations. * Ensure certification databases, trackers, action item logs, risk registers, and departmental records are maintained accurately and remain current. * Monitor departmental metrics and key performance indicators related to certification activities, continuing airworthiness actions, regulatory reporting, and project execution. * Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, quality, and organizational effectiveness. * Participate in budget preparation, resource forecasting for the DHC 7-8 platforms as required. * Maintain awareness of regulatory developments, industry trends, and emerging best practices relevant to the DHC 7-8 platforms. * Recommend and implement improvements to departmental processes, tools, and methodologie   Qualifications * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline. * Minimum 10 years of experience in aircraft certification, airworthiness, engineering, or related technical environments, including demonstrated leadership experience. * Thorough knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR) 521, Change Product Rule (CPR) and associated guidance material. * Thorough knowledge of the Canadian delegation system and AWM 505 and its associated guidance material. * General knowledge of AWM 525, AWM 516 and associated guidance material. * Licensed Professional Engineer or eligible for licensing. * Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and coordinating cross-functional activities   Skills * Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills. * Strong project management and organizational skills. * Effective decision-making and problem-solving abilities. * Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. * Ability to balance competing priorities and manage resources effectively. * Strong understanding of aircraft certification and airworthiness processes. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.