Mechanical Engineering Design Manager

About the role

Fairphone is looking for an experienced Mechanical Engineering Design Manager to lead the design and development of mechanical components for smartphones, audio products and accessories. You will oversee the full product lifecycle, from concept through production, ensuring sustainability and modularity are embedded in every design.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor ODM mechanical design engineers and technicians, assessing manufacturability and defining feasible processes, tooling and equipment.
• Review detailed mechanical designs, complex assemblies and sub‑systems with ODM partners to meet functional, performance, safety and manufacturability requirements.
• Support pilot runs, troubleshoot production line issues and work closely with ODMs to resolve them.
• Identify, plan and execute analyses such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Thermal Analysis (TA) to improve design robustness, reduce cost and enhance product quality.
• Collaborate with local and overseas engineering and manufacturing teams to qualify tooling and define visual quality standards.
• Provide technical support to Product Operations, Marketing, Aftersales and Customer Service teams.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and trends in mechanical design and manufacturing.

Required profile

• Proactive, self‑motivated team player with strong communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving start‑up or scale‑up environment.
• Passionate about Fairphone’s mission and values.

Required skills

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Thermal Analysis (TA).
• Mechanical design of consumer electronics (smartphones, audio products, accessories).
• Knowledge of materials, tooling and manufacturability processes.