Job Description

Role Summary

DeepForm Ltd is an early stage start-up company introducing patented sheet metal pressing technology which significantly reduces waste, cost and embodied CO2 emissions in the high-volume manufacturing of sheet metal components. DeepForm optimises material use by reimagining metal sheet forming tooling.

We are an exciting University of Cambridge spin-out company founded in 2022. Having secured external investment and formed a strategic alliance with a well-known automotive manufacturer we are securing our first major projects. This is an exciting time to join at the very early stages in the company's mission to reduce waste and embodied emissions in the manufacturing sector.

You will join a dynamic team based in Cambridge, UK. Your main responsibility will be to further develop our press forming technology for automotive and other clients. You will explore new configurations and applications of DeepForm's patented technology, developing and testing press tools to maximise material utilisation. You will develop these ideas through simulation with AutoForm and test them using our lab-scale demonstrator and industrial-scale tools.

Together with DeepForm team you will support new and existing research and development projects by developing and designing press tools and processes using DeepForm technology and contribute to finding solutions for other projects.

Key Responsibilities

R&D applications project work

Develop and design lab-scale and industrial-scale tools. Commission, test and improve the tools. Present results and progress updates to other team members and clients through reports and presentations. Plan, execute and control these activities to ensure tasks are organised, resources are used efficiently, and goals are achieved.
Process development and invention

Identify, prioritise, and develop new applications of DeepForm technology. Develop and design novel processes and configurations to improve material utilisation in sheet metal forming. Develop further improvements to existing DeepForm technology. Contribute to and manage the process of patenting these ideas.
Support other DeepForm projects

Use a suitable CAD package to develop tool surfaces based on part geometry Use Autoform, or other suitable package, to run simulations to test and improve tool surfaces, optimising several design variables Use Autoform, or other suitable package, to simulate the full part manufacturing process - draw, trimming, piercing, restrike etc. including springback compensation Present simulation results to customers, via written reports and presentations Commission one or more toolmakers to fabricate physical tooling for DeepForm simulated tool designs; agree technical standards and sign off on supplier designs Manage physical trials in a supplier facility, including collecting, analysis and reporting of trials performance data

Knowledge, skills and experience required for the role

Background and experience

You will have a Mechanical Engineering degree or have completed an Engineering Apprenticeship to level 6/7, or equivalent and have proficiency in using CAD packages.
Flexible and motivated to support rapid growth of a new business (Essential)

Independent, self-starter able to consult when key choices are to be made. Willingness to support growth of our business, contributing as needed to sales and marketing, meeting clients, setting up administrative structures etc. Flexible approach to working in an exciting small team with developing formal structures.
Design of manufacturing tooling or machines (Essential)

Experience of designing manufacturing tooling or electro-mechanical machines, designing and/or selecting components, producing drawings and commissioning. Experience of using data acquisition systems to record sensor data (load, position, pressure etc.) Ability to conceive multiple design concepts, display problem-solving, evaluation under uncertainty Ability to interact with and take on board feedback from multiple design stakeholders, including users, colleagues, and fabricators/machinists. Success in designing for criteria such as robustness; anticipating and overcoming failure mechanisms; cost and ease of manufacture. Proficiency in suitable CAD software packages such as CATIA, SOLIDWORKS or Siemens NX.
Use of modelling to evaluate and improve manufacturing designs (Essential)

Understanding of materials science and plasticity as applied to sheet metal forming, including but not limited to formability, springback and wear. Evidence of using modelling of a manufacturing process to allow design iterations to improve a process Skill in testing and validating modelling predictions Proficiency in finite element analysis for metal forming applications, including software packages such as ABAQUS, LS Dyna, AutoForm or Pam-Stamp Proficiency in using Python or Matlab to evaluate and analyse data from finite element analysis and physical trials.
Excellent communication with customers

Ability to create professional written and visual reports that communicate technical information to both team members and customers Ability to present ideas professionally - both in structured presentations, and verbally - to a customer Recognise and respond to customer feedback
Excellent project management

Ability to plan and manage customer projects, including planning projects using project management tools, tracking progress, setting up suitable meetings, reviews etc. to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Able to manage own workload to ensure commitments to customers and colleagues are met
Location

Cambridge, UK

Working pattern

Full time

Office-based, with some flexibility for hybrid working

Application process:

Applications close: 1 Aug 2025 at 23:59

Video call interviews will be held during 4-13 Aug 2025

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 30,000.00-50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Experience:

FEA: 2 years (preferred) CAD: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 01/08/2025
Reference ID: Research and Development engineer
Expected start date: 01/09/2025