Job description
Lead Product Development Engineer (Founding Team / Career Progression)
Commutable from: West London, Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, Ealing, Chiswick, Richmond, Kensington, Fulham.
£60,000 + EMI Share Option Scheme + Progression to Engineering Director + Autonomy + Founding Team Status + Innovative Startup Culture + Pension
Are you a Product Development Engineer with a "builder" mindset looking to join a high potential startup founded by a world renowned pioneer in mechanical innovation? Do you want to move away from the rigid structures of corporate engineering and into a role where you have the autonomy to solve complex mechanical puzzles, lead technical development from prototype to production, and earn a significant equity stake in the process?
On offer is a rare opportunity to be one of the first technical hires in a founding team. This is not a role for someone who wants to stay behind a screen; it is for a creative, hands on engineer who thrives in a fast paced startup environment, enjoys the trial and error of R&D, and has the ambition to grow into an Engineering Director as the company scales.
The business was established to develop and manufacture a novel, patented mechanical system. With Proof of Concept working well, they are entering a critical "founding phase." You will be responsible for taking a visionary concept and turning it into a commercial reality, navigating the challenges of iterative design, complex mechanisms, and the establishment of lean manufacturing processes.
In this role, you will work directly with the Founder. You will be expected to wear multiple hats- one hour you might be refining CAD data, the next you could be in the workshop manual machining a part or designing the layout for a new production facility. As the business moves toward its initial production goals, you will take the lead in recruiting and mentoring the team that you will eventually manage.
The ideal candidate will have a "startup soul"- you are someone who asks "why not?" rather than just "how?", has an aversion to inelegant design, and is comfortable with the ambiguity and excitement of building a brand from the ground up.
The Role:
- Founding Responsibility: Lead the design, prototyping, and iterative testing of a novel, patented mechanical system.
- Hands on Innovation: Use workshop machinery to build and test jigs, fixtures, and specialized components.
- Scale up Strategy: Help establish and commission a small scale manufacturing cell in West London.
- Compliance & Growth: Manage technical documentation, testing records, and build relationships with key suppliers.
- Future Leadership: Recruit and grow the engineering department as the company moves toward commercial launch.
The Person:
- Mechanical Design Expertise: Proficient in CAD (SolidWorks) with a deep understanding of DFM (Design for Manufacture).
- The "Maker" Mindset: Confident workshop user with experience taking physical products from prototype to production.
- Startup Grit: Willing to challenge assumptions, work through design failures, and take total ownership of the technical roadmap.
- Versatility: A basic understanding of control systems and electronics to ensure hardware and software integration.
Reference number BBBH:270575
To apply for this role or to be considered for further roles, please click "Apply Now" or contact Rise Technical Recruitment.
Rise Technical Recruitment Ltd acts an employment agency for permanent roles and an employment business for temporary roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set and will be decided by our client, the employer. Rise are not responsible or liable for any hiring decisions made by the end client.
We are an equal opportunities company and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.
