Flood Resilience Product Development Design Engineer

Job details

College

College of Science and Engineering

Responsible to

Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering

Location

Whitehouse Construction Co Ltd, Sawley Business Park, Derby, DE21 6AS

Salary

£35,000 per annum

Closing date

Sunday 28 April 2024

Contract type

Fixed term contract 24 months

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Onsite
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

Reference

0131-24

About the role

University of Derby’s College of Science & Engineering in partnership with Whitehouse Construction Co. Ltd are offering an exciting career-development opportunity to manage and deliver a challenging strategic Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project. Based at Whitehouse Construction Co’s premises in Derby, you will be employed by the University as a KTP Associate but work under the terms and conditions of the company.

Using your knowledge and skills to support the business and achieve specific project aims, you will receive on-going support from a Whitehouse Construction Supervisor, Academic Supervisor and Academic Lead from the University of Derby to help you deliver. A personal training and development budget will also be available for you to access, as well as receiving access to the same training opportunities and facilities as University staff.

You will be responsible for project managing the design, modelling and development of new flood resistant products with the aim of achieving certification to BS851188:2019. This structured development project will require the post holder to work across a range of departments to facilitate materials selection, including lifecycle assessment and design for manufacture outputs. Instrumental to this is detailed 3D models of products and associated components with SolidWorks or AutoCAD and the use of Finite Element Modelling (FEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling (CFD).

This is a dynamic role that presents an opportunity for an ambitious candidate to play an influential role in Flood Resilient product development that will enable use of our internally developed components to create new flood resistant products.

About Whitehouse Construction Co Ltd

Whitehouse Construction is an SME providing Civil Engineering and Property Flood Resilience Services. Our head office is in Ashbourne, Derbyshire and our Property Flood Resilience operations based in Derby. We are sole supplier of PFR to the Environment Agency within the Midlands Region and are market leaders in the PFR field. This placement is an amazing opportunity to be part of an emerging sector bringing societal benefits to the UK in line with UN’s sustainability goals of, Climate action and the development of sustainable communities.   

This Placement will be exclusively based at our Manufacturing Centre in Derby with the need to travel occasionally to sites, conferences, and suppliers.    

About University of Derby

The University of Derby is an extraordinary educational environment and because we specialise in identifying and developing individual potential, you can be confident you'll receive all the help and encouragement you need to succeed in your role. We offer some of the best university facilities in the UK, investing more than £200 million in facilities in the last 10 years. Financially strong and seriously ambitious, achieving outstanding results for our teaching and research, we depend on the dedication of a team of 2,200 academic and professional services staff.

About Knowledge Transfer Partnership

This full-time post is part-funded by the UK Government’s KTP programme. A KTP is a three-way project between a graduate, an organisation and a university. KTP is one of the UK’s largest graduate recruitment programmes and has been placing graduates on challenging, high profile projects for almost 45 years.  In addition to a competitive salary and core KTP development training, you will have a dedicated budget of £4,000 for further training and career development. To find out more about the scheme visit: ktp-uk.org/graduates

For informal enquiries please contact Hirbod Varasteh, Lecturer in Civil Engineering via [email protected]  

Principal accountabilities

To lead the development of the KTP project, including: The design and development of novel Property Flood Resilience, creating detailed 3D models of products associated with SolidWorks or AutoCAD; and analysing the product through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to assess structural integrity, fluid behaviour, and optimize design parameters to meet sustainability and the standard requirements.

To work with the academic team to disseminate the outcome and research developed as part of the development process.

To work with Whitehouse Construction Ltd and the academic team to design new Property Flood Resilience products, support the company's requirements to meet product standards, and perform physical tests for the products.

To carry out work in a professional manner and engage in tasks and training as required by Whitehouse Construction Ltd, University of Derby, and Innovate UK.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Good honours degree in a related subject such as Product Design, Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering

Experience

• Demonstrable experience using computer-aided design (CAD) techniques and software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD for creating detailed 3D models of products and associated components.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Ability to perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to assess structural integrity and optimize design parameters and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyse fluid flow behaviour and assess products performance under different scenarios
• Sound knowledge of engineering design techniques, including lean and sustainable design
• Demonstrable knowledge of materials and manufacturing optimisation techniques, such as Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)
• Awareness of Flooding Hydraulics
• Exhibit research and analysis methods at an academic and commercial level
• Innovative and ready to make an instant impact within the organisation
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to engage and influence at all levels of an organisation
• Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of audiences.
• Self-motivated, completer/finisher
• Be results focused with the ability to work through issues to resolve in a professional manner
• Ability to demonstrate pragmatic, and creative thinking where challenges occur
• Ability to communicate and collaborate consistently with colleagues
• Understanding of workplace values

Desirable Criteria
Qualifications

• Masters degree
• PhD in a relevant subject

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of using CAD design techniques and software and FEM & CFD in a commercial setting
• Demonstrable experience of develop sustainability applying and applying Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of materials, manufacturing processes, and end-of-life disposal options of new materials
• Practical experience with DFM processes and outputs
• Demonstrable experience leading teams in a manufacturing environment

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to analyse complex engineering challenges and attention to detail, with develop innovative solutions

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

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How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

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If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Important information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

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Further details

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Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

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The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.