About The Role
We're looking for a hands-on Tech/Prototyping Engineer to build, assemble and maintain hardware prototypes for the end effectors on our robots and the human-worn devices operators use to interface with them. You'll run our prototyping shop, build and maintain test rigs, and support hardware testing and trial sessions — turning CAD files and BOMs into working units, fast. This is a high-paced environment where turnaround is tight and your work directly shapes what the design team builds next.
What You'll Do
- Build Prototype Hardware: Build, assemble and maintain prototype hardware from CAD/BOM through to working units.
- Operate Workshop Equipment: Operate 3D printers, CNC and general workshop tools to produce prototype parts quickly and to spec.
- Prototype with MCUs: Quickly wire up and prototype with MCU platforms such as ESP32 and Raspberry Pi to support test rigs and hardware validation.
- Build & Run Test Rigs: Build, set up and run test rigs and validation jigs for durability, calibration and functional testing.
- Support Hardware Testing: Support hardware testing, internal trials and demo sessions, providing hands-on troubleshooting and repair.
- Turn Around Fast: Deliver prototype builds within tight timelines to keep pace with rapid design-iteration cycles.
- Manage the Shop: Maintain an organised prototyping shop and parts inventory, including fasteners, connectors and components.
- Feed Back to Design: Document build issues and feed practical build, assembly and serviceability feedback directly into design decisions.
- Background in mechanical/mechatronic engineering, technician training, or equivalent hands-on hardware experience, with 2-4 years' experience prototyping physical hardware or robotics products.
- Practical skills with 3D printing, hand tools, basic machining, soldering and cable/harness assembly.
- Ability to prototype quickly with MCU platforms (e.g. ESP32, Raspberry Pi and similar), plus basic breadboarding and circuit assembly skills.
- Comfortable reading CAD drawings and BOMs and translating them into a physical build; any level of CAD design capability is a plus.
- Experience building test rigs and supporting hardware testing, trials or demos of prototype hardware.
- A practical, get-it-working mindset with good organisational habits, comfortable in a high-paced, iterative environment.
- Any level of CAD design capability — not just reading drawings, but creating or modifying simple parts/fixtures
- Basic electronics debugging skills (multimeter, continuity checks, simple rework)
- Experience assembling wearable or compact electromechanical devices
- Experience in a robotics or hardware startup lab environment
- Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
- 30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas–New Year shutdown).
- Private healthcare, including virtual and in-person care.
- Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
- Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in-office.
- Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world-class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics.
- Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.
