At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build innovative beer tap systems while solving real-world problems.
- Company: Join Auto Draught, a pioneering startup revolutionising the beer industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, and direct influence on product direction.
- Why this job: Take ownership in a hands-on role and see your work make an impact.
- Qualifications: Comfortable with mechanical and electrical systems; experience in startups is a plus.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Wandsworth, London
Full-time, in person
About Auto Draught
Auto Draught is building the next generation of beer taps, replacing traditional fonts with intelligent, automated systems that pour perfect pints, reduce labour costs, and enable self-service. We are early-stage, product-led, and hands-on. You will work directly with the founder to take prototypes into real venues and turn them into a reliable, scalable product.
The role
This is a founding-level role with real ownership. You will work across hardware, firmware, manufacturing, and real-world installs. One day you might be debugging a hardware or firmware issue, the next you could be installing a system, running a live demo, or speaking with a brewery about improvements. If you enjoy building physical products, solving real-world problems, and seeing first-hand how your work is used in the world, this role is for you.
What you will do
- Design, build, and iterate on electromechanical systems (valves, motors, sensors)
- Support embedded firmware development and system integration
- Improve reliability, performance, and repeatability of the product
Product & field work
- Install and support systems in pubs, breweries, and events
- Diagnose real-world issues and feed learnings back into design
- Work directly with customers and installers to improve usability and performance
Operations
- Support manufacturing and suppliers (PCBs, machined parts, assembly)
- Help improve documentation, installation processes, and scalability
Who this is for
- Comfortable taking ownership and driving work forward independently
- Confident across mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems
- Happy working in ambiguity without heavy process
- Curious, practical, and willing to get hands-on
Nice to have (not required)
- Experience with embedded systems (STM32, Arduino, ESP32)
- Mechatronics, robotics, or automation background
- Manufacturing, DFM, or supplier experience
- Startup or early-stage company experience
- Comfortable speaking with customers or partners
- Experience selling to breweries or pub groups
What we offer
- Founding-level ownership and responsibility
- Competitive salary and meaningful equity
- Direct influence on product and company direction
Founding Engineer - Mechatronics & Operations employer: Auto Draught
Contact Detail:
Auto Draught Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Engineer - Mechatronics & Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Get hands-on! If you're applying for a role like Founding Engineer, show us your passion for building and tinkering with electromechanical systems. Bring along any prototypes or projects you've worked on to demonstrate your skills during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, meetups, or even brewery tours. Chatting with people in the field can lead to valuable connections and insights that might just land you an interview with us at Auto Draught.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about real-world problem-solving. We want to hear how you've tackled challenges in past projects. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to diagnose issues and improve product performance—this is key for our hands-on environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in being part of our journey at Auto Draught.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Engineer - Mechatronics & Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for building innovative products shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the role and how it fits into our mission at Auto Draught.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in mechatronics and operations. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re doing, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to understand your background and what you can bring to the team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Auto Draught!
How to prepare for a job interview at Auto Draught
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of electromechanical systems, embedded firmware, and the specific technologies mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss your experience with hardware, sensors, and automation will show that you're not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in what Auto Draught is doing.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled real-world issues in previous roles. Whether it was debugging a system or improving a product's usability, having concrete stories ready will demonstrate your hands-on approach and ability to drive work forward independently.
✨Get Familiar with the Company
Do some research on Auto Draught and their innovative beer tap technology. Understanding their mission and the challenges they face will help you tailor your answers and show that you're excited about contributing to their vision. Plus, it’ll give you a chance to ask insightful questions during the interview.
✨Be Ready to Get Hands-On
Since this role involves a lot of practical work, be prepared to discuss how you would approach installing systems or running live demos. Showing enthusiasm for getting your hands dirty and working directly with customers will highlight your fit for this early-stage, product-led environment.