At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative mechatronic systems for scientific and robotic applications.
- Company: Join Lila Sciences, a leader in AI-driven scientific solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, flexible time off, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for rapid career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by bridging hardware and software in cutting-edge projects.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 6-10 years of relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Your Impact at LILA
Lila Sciences is seeking a Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer to join our Advanced Engineering Team to design, develop, and optimize early-stage electromechanical systems, robotics subassemblies and lab instrumentation. This role works directly with scientists to bring new ideas and concepts to reality by bridging hardware, software, electrical, and controls.
What You'll Be Building
- Instrument Development: Develop novel mechatronic solutions for scientific and robotic applications including mechanical design, electrical design, and control software.
- Collaboration and Support: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, electrical, software developers, product managers, and end-users, providing technical support and resolving integration challenges promptly.
- Rapid Prototyping: Develop rapid proof-of-concepts via prototyping methods such as 3D printing, machining, modifying commercial off-the-shelf items, and repurposing parts from obsolete or decommissioned systems.
- Testing and Debugging: Perform rigorous testing, debugging, and troubleshooting of systems and subassemblies to capture experiment data, performance metrics, or inform future design iterations.
- Technical Documentation: Create, update, and maintain clear, comprehensive design documentation including technical drawings, integration methods, test plans and reports, facilitating ease of use by internal teams and end-users.
- System Integration: Design solutions to integrate custom or existing off-the-shelf components with existing automation frameworks and robotics control systems, ensuring compatibility and stability across multiple platforms.
What You'll Need to Succeed
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics or other related Engineering
- 6-10 years of relevant experience
- Strong collaboration skills and experience working directly with end users
- High proficiency with C/C++ and Python
- Proficiency with microcontrollers (STM-32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi)
- Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, Siemens NX)
- Strong experience with rapid prototyping techniques
- Expertise specifying and integrating sensors, motors, drives, and associated electrical/electronic hardware, including analog signal types (4-20mA, 0-10V) and discrete I/O
- Thrives in a hands‑on prototype heavy environment
- Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills
- Proficiency with version control systems, especially SolidWorks PDM & GitHub
- Experience with embedded communication protocols (UART/Serial, SPI, I2C, CAN)
Bonus Points For
- Experience designing and fabricating custom PCBs
- Experience or familiarity with PLC based systems
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, RS-232, OPC/UA, MQTT)
- Experience with vacuum systems (High Vacuum and Ultra-High Vacuum) or optical systems
- Experience in semi-conductor manufacturing
Compensation
We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.
U.S. Benefits: Full-time U.S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office based employees; and a company subsidized lunch program.
International Benefits: Full-time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region. USD salary ranges apply only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.
Expected Base Salary Range: $136,800 — $217,866 USD
About LILA
Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves. LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy.
Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance.
We’re All In Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.
Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer in Cambridge employer: Lilasciences
At Lila Sciences, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Senior Principal or Principal Software Engineer in our AI Lab Execution System team, you will have the opportunity to lead cutting-edge projects that directly impact scientific discovery while enjoying comprehensive benefits, flexible time off, and a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and educational assistance. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions will shape the future of AI in science, all while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to solving humanity's greatest challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer in Cambridge
✨Get Involved with Mechatronics Communities
Dive into the mechatronics community! Attend local meetups or workshops, where you can connect with professionals and learn about upcoming opportunities. Joining forums or social media groups specific to mechatronics can also help you tap into the job market in a more focused way.
✨Showcase Your Skills through Projects
Work on personal or collaborative projects that highlight your mechatronics skills. Whether it's building a robot or developing a smart device, these projects can serve as fantastic talking points during interviews and even make their way into your portfolio. Trust us, employers love to see practical evidence of what you can do!
✨Research Potential Employers
Before applying to roles like the one at Lilasciences, do a bit of homework. Understand their projects and technologies they are using. Tailor your application to reflect how you can contribute specifically to their goals and challenges. Even mentioning specific projects during interviews can impress.
✨Connect Directly with Hiring Managers
When you find a job opening that excites you—like the Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer at Lilasciences—consider reaching out directly to the hiring manager. A quick and polite message expressing your enthusiasm and a bit about your background can set you apart from the crowd. Who knows, it might just catch their eye!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the field of mechatronics, it's crucial to highlight your technical competencies. Make sure your CV lists relevant skills like programming languages, control systems, and any software you’re proficient in. Don’t forget about any projects you’ve successfully completed that illustrate your hands-on experience!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got certifications in areas like robotics or automation, definitely mention them! These can set you apart from other candidates and show your commitment to ongoing learning. We want to see that you’re not just relying on your degree but actively expanding your knowledge in mechatronics.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just repeat your CV; tell us why you're passionate about mechatronics! Share your motivations for wanting to work at Lilasciences and how you can contribute to the team. Highlight any specific experiences that led you to pursue a full-time role in this exciting field.
Tailor Your Application for the Role:Make sure to tailor every application to the specific role of Senior II/Staff Mechatronics Engineer. Mention how your particular experiences and education align with the requirements listed in the job description. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their skills to our needs at Lilasciences!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lilasciences
✨Master Your Technical Skills
In mechatronics, they’ll likely throw some technical questions your way, so make sure you're up to speed on the fundamentals. Brush up on your knowledge of robotics, control systems, and automation technology. Think about practical applications of these concepts too—real-world examples can really set you apart!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your hands-on projects, whether from uni or personal work. This could include anything from robotics systems you've built to programming projects. Being able to talk through your thought process and problem-solving methods will show them that you not only know your stuff but can also apply it practically.
✨Prepare for Teamwork Scenarios
Since full-time roles can often involve collaboration, be ready to discuss how you've worked in teams before. Think about experiences where you’ve tackled complex projects, clarified roles, or resolved conflicts. It's important to demonstrate that you're not just a technical whizz, but also a team player.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Keep an eye on emerging technologies and recent advancements in mechatronics. If you’re aware of the latest in AI within engineering, for example, you can ask insightful questions or reference how you’d adapt your skills to new developments. This shows not only your passion for the field but also that you’re prepared for the future!
