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, access to free therapy, and annual company retreats.
- Other info: Work remotely with occasional site visits; perfect for creative problem solvers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food waste while working in a dynamic startup environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in design engineering or packaging, CAD skills, and a proactive mindset.
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 in Wrexham employer: Mimica
Mimica is an innovative startup dedicated to reducing food waste through our pioneering smart labels. As a freelance Product Design Engineer, you'll enjoy the flexibility of working 15-25 hours per month, collaborating with a passionate team in a supportive environment that values diverse expertise and sustainability. With access to free therapy, annual retreats, and the option for remote work, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful solutions while fostering your professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelance Product Design Engineer in Wrexham
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio ready! Showcase your best work that aligns with the role. Highlight any projects related to packaging or labelling, as this will grab their attention and show you understand their needs.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Mimica. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities, and who knows, they might even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching Mimica’s products and mission. Be ready to discuss how your skills can help reduce food waste and contribute to their innovative solutions. Show them you’re passionate about sustainability!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to get your application noticed. Make sure to follow up after submitting your CV and portfolio; a little nudge can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm.
We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Product Design Engineer in Wrexham
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 be specific about your achievements.
Include Examples of Your Work:When you apply, don’t forget to attach examples of your previous projects. We’re keen to see your design process and the results you've achieved, especially if they relate to packaging or labelling.
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, and be ready to discuss your approach to testing and iteration.
✨Be a Problem Solver
Mimica values a proactive mindset, so think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. Highlight your creativity and hands-on approach to solving engineering problems.
✨Embrace the Startup Culture
Since this is a freelance role in a small team, demonstrate your adaptability and willingness to collaborate closely with others. Share experiences that showcase your ability to manage your own workstreams while contributing to a tight-knit environment.
