Confidential company, Engineering
Founding Engineer at VC-backed physical automation startup
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Compensation
- Not Disclosed
Are you ready to solve one of the last frontiers in physical automation? We are looking for a hands-on Founding Engineer to design and build the first production cells for a well-funded London startup. You'll bridge the gap between hardware and software, creating intelligent systems to handle complex materials that have long resisted traditional robotics.
If you're a mechatronics generalist who loves taking systems from CAD to the factory floor, this is your chance to secure founding equity and shape the future of software-defined manufacturing. This is a rare opportunity to join as a founding member and define the engineering culture of a high-potential startup.
Role overview
As a Founding Engineer, you will design and instrument the first production cell for a next-generation automation system. You will tackle the complex challenge of handling non-rigid materials by building prototypes, jigs, and software-integrated hardware. This hands-on role bridges mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to transform messy manual processes into data-driven production.
About the company
VC-backed physical automation startup
What you will do
- Design and instrument the layout and workflow of the first production cell from scratch.
- Prototype and build handling systems, jigs, and fixtures for complex, variable-geometry materials.
- Wire physical sensors, cameras, and edge devices into a software layer to capture and log real-time production data.
Who this is a fit for
- Extensive experience in mechatronics, robotics, or hardware prototyping, having taken physical systems from CAD to live operation.
- Practical proficiency across mechanical design, electrical instrumentation, and writing scripts to interface hardware with data layers.
- A systems-thinking mindset with a strong bias for building in the face of early-stage ambiguity and hardware challenges.
Why this role is remarkable
- Build from zero, designing the first production systems for a complex physical challenge that traditional robotics has failed to solve.
- Backed by top-tier VCs, this early-stage venture offers significant founding equity and a high-impact role in a growing deep-tech sector.
- Work at the cutting edge of hardware and software, creating software-defined production systems that bridge the physical and digital worlds.
How Jack & Jill work together
What happens next?
Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If your profile’s a match and Confidential company wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.