R&D Mechanical Lead

Machnet Medical Robotics (MMR), founded in 2020, is on a mission to revolutionise medical robotics. Our guiding principle is simple: innovation must improve patient outcomes, support clinicians without disrupting workflows, and empower healthcare staff rather than adding burden. MMR is a well-funded company with long-term investors and a strong financial foundation. Our talented hardware and software team has successfully developed a fully functional prototype of our medical robotic platform, which has already undergone successful animal trials. With the prototype validated, we are now entering the next phase: perfecting the mechanical design for production, ensuring safety, reliability, manufacturability, and scalability as we prepare to bring our technology to hospitals worldwide.

We are currently seeking a R&D Mechanical Lead to join our team in central London. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for an experienced mechanical engineer who can take full ownership of mechanical development—driving designs from late-stage prototype through to production-ready medical hardware.

You will define and lead the mechanical roadmap for our platform, shaping architecture decisions, design best practices, and manufacturability strategies. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams (electronics, software, systems, clinical and operations) to ensure seamless integration and to deliver a robust, scalable device that meets the demanding requirements of clinical environments.

This role is ideal for someone who combines deep mechanical engineering expertise with strong product instincts, and who thrives in a fast-moving startup setting where decisions matter and execution speed is critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of critical subsystems across our medical robotic platform.
• Own mechanical architecture decisions, including tolerancing strategy, design trade-offs, system integration, and serviceability.
• Drive the transition from validated prototype to production-ready design, ensuring safety, reliability, usability, and scalability.
• Lead Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) initiatives to improve cost, quality, and manufacturability.
• Select materials and processes appropriate for medical device requirements and scalable production (including injection moulding).
• Use rapid prototyping techniques (e.g., 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling) to iterate quickly and validate performance.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams of engineers and stakeholders to ensure integration across mechanical, electrical, and software systems.
• Establish and implement mechanical engineering best practices, documentation standards, and robust development processes.
• Support verification and reliability testing through strong design rationale, iteration, and root-cause analysis.
• Lead supplier engagement and manufacturing strategy, building strong partnerships with vendors, manufacturers, and external engineering partners.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering their professional growth and strengthening team capability.
• Represent the company in technical discussions with partners and stakeholders when needed, including at industry events and conferences.

Who We’re Looking For

• Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience designing and developing complex electromechanical systems, ideally within medical devices.
• Strong track record of bringing products from concept through prototype and into production.
• Extensive experience with mechanical design for real-world reliability, serviceability, and performance under clinical constraints.
• Proficiency in rapid prototyping methods such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling.
• Deep understanding of materials and manufacturing processes, including scalable manufacturing techniques (e.g., injection moulding).
• Proficiency in parametric CAD design software (e.g., SolidWorks).
• Strong ownership mindset and ability to drive mechanical execution across multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, able to align technical direction across teams and stakeholders.
• Availability and eligibility to work from our central London office.

Experiences We Value

• Significant experience designing mechanical systems specifically for regulated medical devices and/or medical robotics.
• Prior experience working in a startup environment, or strong ability to thrive in multidisciplinary teams with high autonomy.
• Familiarity with structured engineering development processes (including documentation, design reviews, risk-driven thinking).
• Experience supporting verification/validation work and design robustness efforts (testing, failure analysis, iteration cycles).
• Experience working with external manufacturers or contract engineering partners, including supplier qualification and technical oversight.
• Experience securing patents and contributing to intellectual property related to mechanical designs.

Why Join Us?

At MMR, you’ll work at the intersection of robotics, AI, and healthcare. You will help build mechanical systems that directly enable life-changing technology in hospitals. You’ll be part of a collaborative, impact-driven team, where your engineering leadership will shape the product and play a pivotal role in bringing next-generation medical robotics into real clinical use.

Equally important, we believe that technology must serve people responsibly. At MMR, we value human-centred innovation, moral integrity, and long-term responsibility. This applies not only to how we design our products, but also to how we treat our employees: with respect, care, and a commitment to their well-being and growth.

What We Offer

• Join an international and interdisciplinary team based in the Netherlands (Zwolle) and Central London, fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture.
• Contribute to a rapidly growing medical device startup with ambitious global impact goals, making a significant difference in healthcare.
• A central London office with a well-equipped prototyping space.
• Access continuous learning and professional development through training programs, workshops, and conferences.
• Thrive in an inclusive and diverse workplace that values and supports every team member.
• An attractive salary package, competitive with industry standards.