Automation & Product Development Engineer
$40,000–$60,000 year
RemoteUnited Kingdom or Wakefield, England, United Kingdom
Job Summary
Develop new automated electromechanical products by translating operational requirements into practical engineering concepts and building functional prototypes. Design and integrate mechanical, electrical, and automation systems, specifying sensors, actuators, and control components while producing technical drawings and schematics. Conduct structured testing, root-cause analysis, and failure-mode investigations to refine designs for reliability before production. Collaborate with manufacturing teams to transition prototypes into repeatable production, managing bills of materials and supplier evaluations. Support pilot deployments at live venues, investigate complex field failures, and feed performance data back into the product development process.
Required Qualifications
- A mechanical, electrical, electronic, mechatronics, automation or closely related engineering background
- Relevant degree, HNC, HND, advanced apprenticeship or equivalent practical industry experience
- Experience developing, building or maintaining automated or electromechanical equipment
- Strong practical understanding of mechanical and electrical systems
- Experience working with sensors, actuators, motors, pumps, valves or similar control components
- Ability to read and produce technical drawings, electrical schematics or wiring diagrams
- Practical prototyping, assembly, wiring and fault-finding capability
- Experience conducting structured testing and root-cause analysis
- Ability to use engineering tools and workshop equipment safely
- Experience working with CAD, electrical design, or engineering documentation software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage several technical priorities within a fast-moving environment
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to visit suppliers and customer sites when required
Desired Qualifications
- Experience within beverage dispensing, food and beverage equipment, process systems or fluid handling
- Knowledge of pumps, valves, flow control, pressure systems and liquid-management equipment
- Experience with PLCs, programmable relays, microcontrollers or embedded control systems
- Familiarity with platforms such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley, CODESYS, Arduino, ESP32 or similar
- Experience integrating physical hardware with software, connected devices or IoT platforms
- Knowledge of pneumatics, refrigeration, temperature control or cleaning systems
- Experience taking a product from prototype through to manufacture
- Understanding of design for manufacture and design for assembly
- Experience using rapid-prototyping techniques such as 3D printing, CNC machining or laser cutting
- Knowledge of UKCA/CE marking, machinery safety, electrical safety, EMC or product-compliance processes
- Experience managing technical suppliers or component manufacturers
- Previous experience in a start-up, scale-up or product-development environment
- Exposure to equipment used in hospitality, venues, retail, events or other demanding live environments
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