Mechanical engineering
With a global footprint, Ricardo offers a wide range of mechanical development, component and systems engineering services and solutions to clients across a broad range of markets and industries.
Working with you throughout the entire production lifecycle.
Our customers benefit from our engineering expertise in providing feasibility studies, including market and competitor analysis and benchmarking services. In addition to providing engines designed to be integral to advanced and hybridised powertrains and vehicles, Ricardo provides concept studies to assess technical and commercial cost attributes and alternative solution development.
Our world-class engine design and analysis capability provides designs for full engines or individual components, through multi-phase programs to new high-volume production across all engine types and sizes, including electrified and hybrid, to support clients with commercial success.
Our expertise spans multiple sectors, including automotive (on-highway and off-highway), power generation, aerospace, marine, and defence, enabling us to support clients with complex engineering challenges across diverse applications.
Work in action
Design and analysis
Ricardo brings together a global community of specialist engineers delivering clean-sheet design and upgrade programmes across engines, powertrains, drivetrains, electrification systems, and full-vehicle applications. We support projects from early concept through to prototype development and validation.
Our approach is rooted in advanced engineering analysis and simulation using a comprehensive suite of tools and methodologies, including finite element (FE) analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), combustion modelling, and system-level performance simulation. These capabilities enable us to fully analyse and optimise engines, powertrains, and integrated vehicle systems, ensuring robust, high-performing solutions from the outset.
Combining this deep analytical capability with strong mechanical design and development expertise, we translate concepts into practical, deliverable designs. Whether developing new architectures or enhancing existing products, we focus on achieving optimal performance, efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
We deliver targeted optimisation and cost-reduction programmes for existing product ranges, alongside the evaluation and development of innovative, next-generation concepts.
Analysis
Our analysis capability is a core strength within the engineering function, supporting informed design decisions, risk reduction, and accelerated development. The Ricardo global analysis team combines expertise in dynamic, structural and thermal analyses, supporting the development of combustion engines, drivelines, transmissions, vehicles and electrified systems as well as novel systems. From first-principles calculations to advanced 3D simulation, we guide designs from concept through to definitive development phases. Our capabilities extend to investigating field issues, identifying root causes and driving robust engineering solutions.
Mechanical development
A team of world class specialist engineers delivering bespoke solutions in mechanical systems development and validation across a wide customer and application base. Technical Specialists have years of experience in problem resolution and expert witness programmes. Department developed procedures and processes ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
Combustion, airpath and aftertreatment
Ricardo has extensive experience in developing airpath, combustion and after treatment systems for use in all types of engines, from high performance ICE to the largest marine diesel and gas engines, hybrid, and electrified drivetrains.
Our sophisticated tools, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), are used to optimise the development process, yielding the highest quality results over shorter timeframes.
Our aftertreatment development processes include, catalyst system specification, aftertreatment system modelling, synthetic gas reactor studies, system integration packaging, aftertreatment control and calibration and aftertreatment OBD.
Single Cylinder Research Engines
The Ricardo range of advanced research engines are used by engineers, researchers, and students globally, to support component and product development. They are equally suited to system studies, advanced research and for use as an educational tool.
We remain at the leading edge of innovation and regularly review and update our designs to meet expectations and future mobility requirements.
More ways we support you
Noise, vibration and harshness
Ricardo’s cross-discipline expertise in noise, vibration and harshness, powertrain technologies and integration ensures future vehicles will meet customer demands.
Calibration
Delivering bespoke hardware and software calibration programmes for original equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
Benchmarking
Ricardo’s benchmarking services enable robust technical and commercial comparisons, supporting customers to develop a more competitive future product strategy.
Systems integration
Ricardo designs and develops complete systems integration solutions to aid clients with this critical stage in development.
Vehicle adaptation
We provide a vehicle vehicle adaption service using our full-service engineering capability to deliver commercially available wheeled vehicles, tailored to meet the specific requirements of our customers.
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