Junior Mechanical Engineer
At Shellworks, we're on a mission to create material change by eliminating plastic pollution, and are seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer to design and engineer the future of sustainable products.
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About the Job
🎯 Junior Mechanical Engineer
🌍 London, N4
🏛️ 4 days in our office, 1 day working from home
🤝 David Cattermole, Mechanical Engineering Lead
💰 £32-42k per annum (depending on experience) + equity
About Shellworks
Developed for a throwaway culture, plastics have caused significant pollution to our natural
environments with 90% of all plastics ever created never being recycled. More so, recent
studies have identified that plastics impact goes beyond pollution to chemicals and
micro-plastics that impact human and environmental health.
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
- You have a Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Design Engineering, ideally with relevant industrial placement experience.
- You are comfortable with hands-on approach to engineering and prototyping, preferably with some experience in a workshop environment operating industrial equipment such as polymer processing and/or metalworking machines.
- You have good practical knowledge of manufacturing and design for manufacture, ideally for injection moulding and other polymer processing techniques
- You have strong 3D design and CAD skills. Prior experience in Solidworks would be beneficial.
- You have strong engineering analysis skills and you enjoy experimentation, data analysis, validation, and documentation. Experience in statistical tools for analysis would be beneficial.
- You have excellent communication and presentation skills, with an eye for industrial design and aesthetics and can demonstrate these in your application.
- You have the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, be flexible and prioritise workload accordingly.
- You believe that the high autonomy environment of an early-stage start-up is the right place to unleash your potential.
- You love finding smart ways to solve hard problems, and always favour simple solutions over complex ones.
Key Responsibilities
Design and Engineering
- Design and engineer new ways of creating completely compostable packaging through industrial conversion processes, including injection moulding, blow moulding, and extrusion.
- Document mechanical engineering specifications aligned with customer requirements and the sustainability vision of the company.
- Design and produce prototypes of new packaging innovations through rapid tooling, or rapid prototyping techniques such as 3D printing and machining.
- Develop DoE’s to analyse and optimise designs and manufacturing processes in order to meet product functionality, quality or yield specifications.
- Implement and negotiate Design for Manufacture techniques with vendors to transition designs from prototype to mass production without compromise to the product specification.
- Use primary and literature research for data driven decision making.
Project Management
- Support the entire product life cycle from proof of concept through to launching at large scale with well known brands.
- Plan and implement work packages according to key business objectives.
- Manage tooling, assembly and manufacturing activities with vendors during production ramp up to the agreed cost, quality and timing.
Collaboration and Communication
- Produce and present engineering proposals and feasibility results to internal and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to design reviews and FMEAs for new product developments to communicate and mitigate against technical and business risks.
- Work alongside team members in molecular biology, material science, polymer processing, product design and operations teams in a collaborative environment.
- Contribute to the growth of the business inside and outside of your domain.
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.
Join Our Mission
Becoming a part of Shellworks means being part of a team that’s passionate about sustainability and innovation. Our world-class team includes experts in materials science and visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a better future. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible.
Are you ready to help us lead the way in sustainable materials? Apply now and be part of something truly impactful.
- Department
- Engineering
- Locations
- Shellworks London
About Shellworks
Shellworks aims to address one of the biggest challenges of our generation: plastic pollution. We raised a 6.2Mn Seed round by top-tier investors globally and shipped our first 100,000 units in 2022. We're now scaling our team to help us accelerate towards our mission.
We’re a group of critical optimists from backgrounds like design, engineering, and science. We aren’t bound by existing rules and stereotypes and are fundamental believers that there must be a better way. As an early-stage startup, you’ll play a fundamental role in shaping Shellworks’ future.
Junior Mechanical Engineer
At Shellworks, we're on a mission to create material change by eliminating plastic pollution, and are seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer to design and engineer the future of sustainable products.
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