Development Engineer

About Us

Ardmel is a proud Glenrothes-based engineering and manufacturing company with more than 50 years of experience. We create specialist machinery, seam-sealing tapes and adhesive solutions for customers around the world. Our success is built on quality, practical innovation and great service, but most importantly, on the people behind our products. We offer a friendly, supportive workplace where everyone can contribute, develop their skills and be part of the continued success of an established Scottish business.

Role Overview

We are seeking a skilled Development Engineer with a Mechanical Engineering background to join our team at Ardmel Automation. This role focuses on developing, optimising, and troubleshooting processes for garment tape sealing machines. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing production efficiency, improving product quality and contributing to new product development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Development: Design and develop optimised processes for tape-sealing technology used in the garment industry, particularly for waterproofing and bonding fabrics.

Testing and validation: Perform rigorous testing of sealing materials to ensure compatibility with various fabrics and adherence to industry standards.

Troubleshooting and optimisation: Analyse process inefficiencies and recommend solutions to enhance machine performance, reduce downtime and improve production throughput.

Continuous improvement: Implement process improvements to enhance product quality, reduce waste and improve energy efficiency.

Collaboration: Work closely with the R&D, quality assurance and production teams to align process capabilities with product specifications.

Documentation: Prepare detailed technical documentation, including process-flow diagrams, standard operating procedures and validation reports.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Proven experience in process engineering.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex equipment.
• Excellent understanding of chemical properties, material interactions and their applications in sealing technologies.
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a fast-paced team.

Desirable

• Familiarity with adhesive technologies, bonding materials and garment-manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in process-simulation software and data-analysis tools.
• Knowledge of special-purpose machines or similar equipment.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Experience in continuous-improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

What We Offer

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site parking

Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies in the garment manufacturing industry.

Working Pattern

This is a full-time, permanent position working Monday to Friday on a day shift.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing a fair and inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

We are proud to be a Bronze Armed Forces Covenant Employer and a Supported Business. We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, service leavers, disabled people and applicants from all backgrounds, and are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive workplace.

Application question(s):

• Are you a UK/EU passport holder?

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (required)

Work Location: In person