At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical design for cutting-edge humanoid robots and mentor a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join Humanoid, a pioneering tech company shaping the future of robotics.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive equity, 30+ paid days off, private healthcare, and free meals.
- Other info: Experience rapid growth and career development in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in robotics while collaborating with world-class engineers and innovators.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering with 6+ years in robotics and proven leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
About the Role
We're looking for a Mechanical Engineer Tech Lead to own the mechanical design of our robotic end effectors and lead the technical direction for the mechanical engineering team. You'll lead mechanisms and assemblies end to end — from requirements and concept through CAD, manufacturing drawings, test and evaluation, and production hand-off — while mentoring engineers, driving design reviews, and working closely with electrical, firmware and prototyping teams. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll balance rapid iteration with rigorous engineering fundamentals, in a high-paced environment where designs evolve quickly and priorities shift fast.
What You'll Do
- Lead Technical Direction: Own the mechanical design strategy and architecture for end-effector products, setting technical direction and ensuring consistency and quality across the team.
- Lead Design & Reviews: Lead design reviews and mentor mechanical engineers, raising the technical bar across the team.
- Lead Requirements Development: Work directly with customers and internal stakeholders to gather and define requirements, translating them into clear design specifications.
- Own Mechanical Design: Design and guide mechanical components, assemblies and enclosures end-to-end using 3D CAD (Siemens NX), from concept through to manufacturing-ready drawings.
- Integrate Mechatronic Systems: Integrate cameras, sensors, PCBAs and other mechatronic devices into mechanical assemblies, working closely with electrical and firmware engineers.
- Balance Design Trade-offs: Weigh weight, durability, ergonomics and manufacturability requirements to arrive at the right solution for each design.
- Select Materials & Processes: Choose appropriate materials and manufacturing processes, including 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal and injection moulding.
- Own Test & Evaluation: Define and lead test and evaluation plans to validate designs against requirements, including structural, environmental and durability testing.
- Apply DFM/DFA: Apply design-for-manufacture and design-for-assembly principles as designs move from prototype to production.
What We’re Looking For
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline, with 6+ years' experience in mechanical design for robotics, hardware, or complex electromechanical products.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering complex electromechanical or robotic systems from concept through to production.
- Proven experience leading or mentoring mechanical engineers and driving technical direction on complex electromechanical products.
- Experience leading requirements development and test/evaluation planning with customers or stakeholders.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (Siemens NX preferred), including GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis.
- Experience designing for 3D printing, CNC machining, injection moulding and sheet metal, with hands-on rapid prototyping experience.
- Experience integrating electromechanical assemblies — cameras, sensors, PCBAs, connectors, cable routing and enclosures.
- Practical understanding of DFM/DFA principles and comfort working iteratively in a high-paced engineering environment.
Nice to have
- FEA/simulation experience for stress, fatigue or thermal analysis.
- Line management or people-leadership experience.
- Exposure to small-batch or production manufacturing hand-off.
What We Offer
- Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
- 30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas–New Year shutdown).
- Private healthcare, including virtual and in-person care.
- Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
- Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in-office.
- Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world-class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics.
- Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.
Mechanical Engineer Tech Lead employer: Humanoid
Humanoid is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of London, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and advancement within the rapidly evolving field of robotics and AI. Our focus on delivering cutting-edge technology ensures that you will be part of a team that is not only shaping the future of industrial applications but also making a meaningful impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Engineer Tech Lead
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Humanoid.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Humanoid love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Humanoid and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Engineer Tech Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Humanoid and the Mechanical Engineer Tech Lead role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Humanoid
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Humanoid.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Humanoid.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Humanoid, making you a more appealing candidate.