Mechanical engineering for hardware companies.
Independent mechanical engineering and product-development support — from concept through prototype and testing. Neutral Axis exists to work directly with founders and small technical teams building physical hardware.
From concept to hardware.
Neutral Axis provides practical mechanical engineering support throughout product development - for teams that need an engineer to take ownership of a problem, not just supply CAD files.
Mechanical Design
CAD, mechanisms, assemblies and detailed mechanical design, built around how the part actually gets made.
Product Development
Concept development and engineering problem-solving, taking a rough idea to a defined, workable solution.
Prototyping
Turning designs into physical hardware, then refining them against how they actually perform.
Design for Manufacture
Components and assemblies designed around a real manufacturing process, taking cost and finish into account.
Testing & Validation
Building test rigs and profiles, running trials and validating designs against real-world requirements.
Engineering Support
Extra mechanical capacity for a small technical team - on a defined project or an ongoing basis.
Selected engineering work.
A small selection of the physical engineering problems worked through end to end — from early concept to physical hardware.
Solar Thermal Hardware
Mechanical development of a concentrated solar thermal collector (1200°C) — control architecture, mechanisms and structural design carried through assembly, control-system integration and physical testing at a solar hardware startup.
High-Speed Electric Motors
Mechanical design and development of high-performance electric motor systems operating beyond 170,000 rpm encompassing novel stator architectures, 3D-printed copper windings and carbon-fibre rotor containment.
Micro FPV Drone
Compact FPV drone airframe designed around an ultra-minimal structural footprint, integrating the camera, VTX, flight controller, ESC and motors while maintaining structural rigidity and propeller clearance. Complete CAD development with components sourced for design validation.
Engineering that moves beyond the CAD screen.
The goal isn't just a set of drawings — it's a working solution. Every project moves through the same five stages.
Understand
The product, the constraints, and the outcome that actually matters.
Design
Practical mechanical solutions, built around how they'll be made.
Build
Prototype and integrate the physical hardware.
Test
Validate the design against real-world requirements.
Iterate
Use test results and engineering judgement to improve it.
The engineer behind Neutral Axis.
James Bush is a mechanical engineer with five years’ experience across hardware startups, aerospace and electromechanical product development. His work spans concentrated solar thermal systems, high-speed electric motors, aerospace mechanisms and electromechanical products - from early concepts and mechanical design through to analysis, prototyping, assembly and testing.
James’ experience provides the foundation for a practical, adaptable approach to engineering — combining technical depth with the ability to move between design, analysis, problem solving and hands-on development. Neutral Axis brings this approach to companies developing new technology, providing engineering capability where it is needed most.
Who this is for.
Startups
Additional engineering capability without hiring a full-time mechanical engineer.
Hardware companies
Mechanical design, product development and prototype support.
Small engineering teams
Extra experienced capacity when internal resources are stretched.
Product developers
Support moving a concept toward a working prototype.
Technical founders
Someone who can own the mechanical side and work directly with you.
Have a mechanical problem to solve?
Let's talk.
Whether it's a defined project, flexible hourly support, or ongoing engineering capacity — tell me what you're building.