Mechanical Engineer Cocoon

About Cocoon: Cocoon is on a mission to make steel greener and cement cleaner by creating a low-carbon cement substitute for the builders of tomorrow. In the next 40 years, the world will witness the construction of double the amount of infrastructure as there is in the world today. Steel and cement are integral to this construction, yet they contribute 15% of global emissions. Cocoon is committed to addressing the climate emergency by decarbonizing these crucial industries, paving the way for a better future for all. We are a small and formidable team, backed by world-class and global investors in climate, hardware, and industrial decarbonization. We are growing fast, doubling in size since last year. After our successful initial set of trials we are seeking a mechanical engineer to accelerate the development of our technologies towards industrial deployment.

You will be working closely with a team of engineers, material scientists, researchers and technicians in the optimization of Cocoon’s next generation slag activation system (hydraulic systems, industrial instrumentation, bulk material handling systems) as well as the development of integration solutions between existing steelmaking infrastructure and the Cocoon system.

Responsibilities:

• Lead product lifecycle of key systems: Conduct the detailed design and/or procurement of components and systems comprising Cocoon’s core technologies (Solidworks and/or Catia 3Dx).
• Carry out component sourcing/subcontracting for delivery of own designs.
• Lead validation and testing activities, from requirements definition through to commissioning and testing.
• Create the documentation required for validation and compliance activities (DFMEA, risk registers, operation instructions).
• Manage testing campaigns at Cocoon’s London R&D facility, pilot testing facilities in Middlesbrough UK and the US partner facilities.
• Collaborate closely with Cocoon’s process engineering team to scale R&D outputs into system specifications for our first industrial plant.
• Work with the Cocoon R&D team to design test rigs, small experiments and enhance Cocoon’s experimental capabilities.

About You:

We seek practical problem solvers capable of owning a complete product lifecycle to drive Cocoon’s growth. The ideal candidate can design, develop, and deliver complex systems. You would enjoy building prototypes and be comfortable being hands-on with troubleshooting.

Qualifications/Qualities:

• Master’s degree in engineering.
• 5+ years industry experience in mechanical, hydraulic, or electromechanical systems.
• Experience of a complete product lifecycle (concept to production).
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to a dynamic startup environment.
• Proficiency in CAD (FEA, mechanism design, design for assembly, design for manufacture).
• Ability to use simulation and first principles to validate your designs.
• Experience creating drawings to GD&T to BS888 or ISO standards.
• Availability to lead own projects and provide direction to junior engineers, technicians and suppliers.
• Strong communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and overseas to support/oversee installation and testing activities.

Bonuses:

• Experience with PLC programming or industrial automation (Siemens Simatic).
• Understanding of process engineering (material handling, heat transfer, unit operation design).
• Experience in high-temperature fluid handling.
• Experience scaling technologies from TRL 4/5 to 8/9.
• Steelmaking or other metallurgical industry experience.

Join us on our exciting journey as we collaborate to shape the future of our company and make a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis.

How We Work:

As a company building hardware we require the team to be in HQ (office/engineering/lab space) the vast majority of time. For some roles, remote working may make sense 1-2 days a week and this is something that can be discussed during the application process. We will always try to accommodate alternative working hours to suit individuals.

Compensation:

Base salary £55k-65k per annum depending on experience, plus stock options.

Cocoon is an equal opportunities employer. We embrace diversity as a core value and commit to providing equal opportunities for all employees, job applicants, clients, and customers, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We regularly review our policies, provide training, and encourage open dialogue to ensure a supportive and inclusive workplace for all.