At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative food spoilage smart labels to reduce waste.
- Company: Join Mimica, a pioneering startup focused on sustainability in the food industry.
- Benefits: Flexible freelance hours, free therapy, railcard, and annual retreats.
- Other info: Work remotely with occasional site visits; flexible hours based on project needs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food waste while working in a dynamic startup environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in design engineering/packaging, CAD skills, and a passion for sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 30 - 50 € per hour.
IMPORTANT: this is a freelance role, not employment - please consider this before reaching out. Mimica is seeking an experienced Product Design Engineer, ideally with experience of packaging/labels to support on a fractional contract basis the development and scale-up of new formats of our food spoilage smart labels. This is a North West-based flexible, ongoing freelance role for approximately 15-25 hours per month working closely with our small team on designing, prototyping, technical development, supplier collaboration, and manufacturing integration for our new products. Your work will directly contribute to pioneering waste-reducing solutions in the food industry.
About us: At Mimica, we’ve developed a range of award-winning labels, called Bump, that tell you exactly when food spoils, based on storage conditions. Our mission is to radically reduce unnecessary food waste caused by the current expiry date system. We work in partnership with international food companies and their suppliers to integrate our solutions into their packaging.
You: We’re looking for somebody passionate about sustainability, making a difference to food waste and who wants to be part of a fast-paced tight-knit startup culture. As one of our company values is diverse expertise, we embrace applicants from all walks of life.
- You should have 5+ years’ relevant industry experience within the design engineering and/or packaging fields.
- Experience working with external manufacturers/suppliers and/or pilot production/line setup.
- Understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes, including automation technologies, and how to scale from prototype to production (DFM).
- Complete competence in CAD (ideally SolidWorks).
- Experience managing your own workstreams (planning, timelines, prioritisation).
- Strong hands-on engineering skills (workshop/lab) with a practical, methodical approach to testing, iteration and continuous improvement.
- A proactive, problem-solving mindset, with creativity and a hands-on / “maker” approach.
- High attention to detail and ability to clearly communicate progress, findings, issues and asking questions.
- Comfortable working in a startup or small team environment.
Nice to have:
- Experience in technical packaging/innovative labelling design and development (materials, plastics, part design, industrialisation).
- Familiarity with product management.
- Knowledge and experience in designing for injection moulding.
- Exposure to automated manufacturing or assembly systems in practice.
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g. CAE, mechanical, rheology).
- Rendering/visualisation tools (e.g. KeyShot).
- Basic understanding of materials science or chemistry.
- Experience in a startup or scaling hardware environment.
Some of your activities may include:
- Designing and developing components for new complex labelling concepts.
- Collaborating with chemistry and product teams to ensure designs are scalable and manufacturable.
- Collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers to assess feasibility and production methods and encouraging their involvement in product development.
- Creating CAD models, technical drawings, and prototype specifications.
- Hands-on prototyping, testing and iteration.
- Supporting transition from lab-scale prototypes to pilot and industrial production.
- Advising on materials, adhesives, converting processes, and assembly methods.
- Working on tooling, fixtures and manufacturing processes.
- Supporting automation and assembly process development.
- Solving practical engineering and manufacturing challenges.
- Managing timelines and tracking development progress.
Work hours: This is an ongoing part-time freelance role, with flexibility on working hours and structure. We expect approximately 15-25 hours per month, with working patterns agreed based on project needs.
Flexible working options, access to free therapy, free railcard, annual company retreats.
Location: Ideally you will be able to work regularly from our site at Bryn Business Centre in Wrexham, LL13 9UT and from home. However for the right expertise, we would also consider remote options with occasional travel to the site.
Apply: If we’ve made your brain itch, please get in touch and send your CV, examples of work, cover letter and hourly rate to jobs@mimicalab.com by 15 June. The recruitment process for this role will involve 1-2 online/in-person interviews with a start date from mid-July.
Freelance Product Design Engineer employer: Mimica
Mimica is an innovative startup dedicated to reducing food waste through pioneering technology, offering a flexible freelance role for a Product Design Engineer. With a strong focus on sustainability and a collaborative team culture, employees can expect opportunities for personal growth, access to free therapy, and the chance to work on impactful projects that make a real difference in the food industry. Located at Bryn Business Centre in Wrexham, this role provides the flexibility of remote work while fostering a tight-knit environment where diverse expertise is valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelance Product Design Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the product design and packaging fields. Let them know you're on the lookout for freelance opportunities, and who knows? They might just have the perfect gig for you or can introduce you to someone who does.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to packaging and labelling. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing. This is your chance to impress potential clients with your hands-on engineering skills and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay proactive! Don’t wait for job postings to come to you. Research companies like Mimica that align with your values and expertise. Send them a friendly email introducing yourself and expressing your interest in freelance opportunities. You never know what might come of it!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and adapting! The design and manufacturing landscape is always changing. Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in packaging and labelling. This will not only enhance your skills but also make you more attractive to potential clients looking for innovative solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Product Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sustainability:Make sure to highlight your enthusiasm for reducing food waste and sustainability in your application. We love seeing candidates who share our mission and values, so let that passion shine through!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your relevant experience in product design engineering and packaging. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for, so make it personal.
Include Examples of Your Work:When you apply, don’t forget to include examples of your previous projects. We’re keen to see your hands-on engineering skills and creativity, so share those CAD models or prototypes that you’re proud of!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mimica
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of packaging and labelling design. Familiarise yourself with Mimica's products, especially the Bump labels, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to reduce food waste.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Skills
Prepare to talk about your practical engineering skills and any relevant projects you've worked on. Bring examples of CAD models or prototypes you've created, as this will demonstrate your ability to take concepts from design to production.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since this role involves working closely with a small team and external suppliers, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve navigated challenges in a team setting.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Mindset
Mimica values creativity and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Prepare to share specific instances where you've tackled engineering challenges, showcasing your methodical approach and innovative thinking.
