About the Job

🎯 Mid-Senior Mechanical Engineer

🌍 London, N4

🏛️ 4 days in our office, 1 day working from home

🤝 David Cattermole, Mechanical Engineering Lead

💰 £45-60k per annum (depending on experience) + equity

About Shellworks

At Shellworks, we're on a mission to create material change by eliminating plastic pollution.

We believe there must be a better way and our first innovation Vivomer does just that, if nature made a plastic this would be it. Vivomer, a polymer made by microorganisms, behaves just like plastic in use, but degrades upon disposal in any natural environment. Developed through cutting-edge material science, mechanical engineering, design, and operations, Vivomer represents a groundbreaking step towards a pollution-free future.

The nature of our work is frequently described as impossible, but if like us, you’re driven by the challenge to prove that there is a better way to do things, join us. You will play a critical role in developing the future of materials, how products are created and directly contribute to reducing plastic pollution.

The Opportunity

We're seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer to help design and engineer the future of materials and products. In this role, you'll work alongside a cross-functional team of experts in biology, material science, and design to develop plastic-free solutions that replace single-use plastics. From concept to large-scale production, you'll apply your skills to create applications using first of a kind materials.

As part of our fast-paced, collaborative environment, you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the planet while growing your expertise. If you're passionate about using your mechanical engineering skills to solve complex challenges and create a better future, this is the perfect role for you.

Our Ideal Candidate

Must-haves:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering and 2+ years of industry experience, ideally in packaging and/or FMCG
• Strong 3D design and CAD skills (Solidworks experience beneficial)
• Hands-on approach to engineering and prototyping, with experience operating industrial equipment (polymer processing, metalworking machines)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

Nice-to-haves:

• Practical knowledge of injection moulding, blow moulding, and tool design
• Experience with moulded component design and Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Strong engineering analysis skills (tolerance analysis, DoE, Moldflow) and experience in design or process characterization and validation using statistical tools
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, be flexible, and prioritise workload in a high-autonomy, early-stage startup environment

If you don't meet 100% of the qualifications but are excited about the role and feel you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply! Studies have shown that women and people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At Shellworks, we value diversity of thought and recognise that skills and experiences can be built in many ways. We look forward to hearing from you.

Key Responsibilities

Design and Engineering

• Design and engineer compostable packaging solutions using industrial conversion processes (injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion)
• Develop and execute Design of Experiments (DoE) to analyse and optimise designs and manufacturing processes
• Design and produce prototypes using rapid tooling or prototyping techniques (3D printing, machining)
• Document mechanical engineering specifications aligned with customer requirements and the company's sustainability vision

Project Management

• Support the entire product lifecycle from proof of concept to large-scale launches with well-known brands
• Lead design reviews and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to communicate and mitigate technical and business risks
• Manage tooling, assembly, and manufacturing activities with vendors during production ramp-up
• Implement and negotiate Design for Manufacture techniques with vendors to transition designs from prototype to mass production

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (molecular biology, material science, polymer processing, product design, operations) in a fast-paced startup environment
• Produce and present engineering proposals and feasibility results to internal and external stakeholders
• Use primary and literature research for data-driven decision making

Our Benefits

🌴 21 days holiday + birthday off + 27-31st December, in addition to all statutory and public holidays

📚 Opportunities for growth and development as we expand and scale our impact

🥼Access to a fully kitted out on-site lab (incubators, autoclaves, bioreactors, etc.) and pilot line workshop (machine tools, injection moulder, extruders, blow moulders, etc.)

👍 Competitive salary and equity options

🎉 Regular social events and fully stocked office kitchen

🐚 Part of a tightly knit team aiming to make a meaningful social impact.

Hiring Process

📞 Initial Chat

💭 Technical task

🗝️ Onsite

Our Values

It Can Be Done We believe anything is possible. We're action-oriented doers who jump in to proactively solve challenges.

Masters of Our Craft Driven by curiosity, we constantly expand our skills to deliver work that exceeds expectations.

Ambitious By Nature We set ambitious goals and push ourselves beyond our comfort zones, taking ownership of the journey.

We're Singular We operate as one cohesive team, valuing our diversity and putting the mission above egos or silos.

We want to create an inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our people whilst enabling them to do the best work of their careers. We are committed to ensuring that all our people processes are equitable. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, neurodiversity status or disability status.