Hi, I’m Paul Gocher, a freelance mechanical design engineer with 25+ years of experience delivering robust electro-mechanical products. I specialise in SolidWorks-based concepting, 3D modelling, tolerance analysis, prototyping, and design-for-manufacture across water treatment instruments, scientific and space-flight instrumentation, medical devices, consumer products, and security systems. I work closely with clients to validate concepts, source tooling and suppliers, and manage projects from sketch to production. My hands-on approach includes 3D printing, reverse engineering, value engineering, and BS8888-compliant detailing, with a focus on delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions.

Paul Gocher

Hi, I’m Paul Gocher, a freelance mechanical design engineer with 25+ years of experience delivering robust electro-mechanical products. I specialise in SolidWorks-based concepting, 3D modelling, tolerance analysis, prototyping, and design-for-manufacture across water treatment instruments, scientific and space-flight instrumentation, medical devices, consumer products, and security systems. I work closely with clients to validate concepts, source tooling and suppliers, and manage projects from sketch to production. My hands-on approach includes 3D printing, reverse engineering, value engineering, and BS8888-compliant detailing, with a focus on delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Paul Gocher, a freelance mechanical design engineer with 25+ years of experience delivering robust electro-mechanical products. I specialise in SolidWorks-based concepting, 3D modelling, tolerance analysis, prototyping, and design-for-manufacture across water treatment instruments, scientific and space-flight instrumentation, medical devices, consumer products, and security systems.

I work closely with clients to validate concepts, source tooling and suppliers, and manage projects from sketch to production. My hands-on approach includes 3D printing, reverse engineering, value engineering, and BS8888-compliant detailing, with a focus on delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Apprentice Toolmaker at Punctual Precision Engineering
January 1, 1984 - December 31, 1987
Apprentice toolmaker training leading to HNC qualification.
Design Engineer at Denley Instruments
January 1, 1987 - December 31, 1995
Concept & detailed design of laboratory equipment.
Design Engineer at Metro Products Ltd
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1995
Concept & detailed design of car & gardening accessories.
Design Engineer at Well & Medical
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1995
Concept & detailed design of a patented ileostomy bag.
Design Engineer at Maddison Ltd
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1998
Product design using SDRC I-Deas; project management; nebulizers.
Principal Design Engineer at Lec Refrigeration
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2000
Led a team of engineers developing 20+ refrigerators & freezers using SDRC I-Deas 3D CAD; new product development.
Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer at Gocher Design Ltd
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2011
Contractor / consultant delivering mechanical design and product development using SolidWorks and design validation.
Founder/Director at 3d design innovation Ltd
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2024
CAD design consultancy delivering product concept to detail design, tooling acquisition, documentation to BS8888.
Mechanical Design Engineer (Contractor) at ICAM Ltd / Xtral IS / Honeywell
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2021
Engineering design & styling, tooling acquisition from China; IP65, V0 injection moulded electronics enclosures.
Contract Design Engineer at Adtec Europe Ltd / Adtec UK
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2023
Plasma products & medical device development; concept/design detailing to BS8888; ergonomic styling.
Contract Design Engineer at Adpro (Switzerland)
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Developing high sensitivity PIR intrusion detection product; tooling acquisition & validation; V0 enclosure.
Collaborating Engineer at UCL / Manchester University
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2014
Development of scientific instruments; SPIRE, SuperNEMO detector; optical alignment mechanisms.
Freelance/Contract Engineer at Filton Engineering Ltd
January 1, 2018 - Present
Design of flow meters and precision machined component assemblies; BS8888 detailing.
Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer at 3d Design Innovation Ltd
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2024
Continued design engineering for aspirated fire & gas detection products; engineering design, tooling validation, and design validation; IP65 enclosures and production support; collaboration with international teams.
Freelance Mechanical Design Engineer at Icam Ltd / Xtral IS / Honeywell
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2021
Engineering design and styling; tooling acquisition from China; design validation; IP65 injection-moulded electronics enclosures; centralised detectors and hardware for gas/fire detection systems.
Engineering Design Engineer at UCL / Manchester University
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2014
Development of scientific instruments; concept & detailed design of SPIRE instrument, SuperNEMO detector components, and James Webb NIRSpec optical alignment mechanism; collaboration with scientists.
Design Engineer at Filton Engineering Ltd
January 1, 2018 - Present
Design of flow meters and precision machined investment cast component assemblies; detailing parts to BS8888 standards.
Mechanical Design Engineer at Alaris Medical Systems
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2006
Medical device development (infusion pump); IEC 60601 design compliance; ISO 13485 environment; tooling acquisition from China; tolerance analysis and detailed drawings.
Design Engineer at Wilcox & King Engineering Ltd
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2022
Emergency Vehicle Conversions; 3D printing; sheet metal structures and mounting solutions for specialised vehicles.

Education

O' Levels at Weald School
January 1, 1977 - January 1, 1983
HNC Mechanical & Production Engineering at Crawley College
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1988
O Levels at Weald School
January 1, 1977 - January 1, 1983
BTEC NC, HNC Mechanical & Production Engineering at Crawley College
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1988

Qualifications

HNC Mechanical & Production Engineering
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1988
O' Levels
January 1, 1977 - January 1, 1983
HNC Mechanical & Production Engineering
January 1, 1988 - May 31, 2026
BTEC NC
January 1, 1984 - May 31, 2026

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment