At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative electro-mechanical prototypes and MVP hardware systems.
- Company: Join an independent design studio in Shoreditch, known for its creative innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building ambitious systems in a collaborative R&D environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in delivering physical products with strong hands-on engineering skills.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant community focused on thoughtful innovation and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Native is seeking an experienced and highly capable Mechatronics Engineer to join our independent design and innovation studio in Shoreditch. We develop early‑stage products, functional prototypes, and technically ambitious proof‑of‑concepts for a wide range of clients. This role sits at the intersection of mechanical, electronic, and embedded systems engineering. You will take a leading role in translating ideas into robust, testable, and manufacturable prototypes—working from concept through to tangible MVP. You will be embedded within a multidisciplinary team of engineers, designers, and technologists, contributing technical expertise while helping shape the direction of projects. The work ranges from rapid proof‑of‑concept builds using development platforms to refined, fully integrated assemblies designed for real‑world testing. This position is well suited to an engineer who combines strong hands‑on capability with sound engineering judgement—someone comfortable navigating ambiguity, balancing speed with rigour, and making pragmatic decisions in fast‑moving R&D environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development of electro‑mechanical prototypes and MVP hardware systems
- Design, build, and test integrated systems combining mechanics, electronics, firmware, and sensing
- Rapidly evaluate technical feasibility through structured experimentation and prototyping
- Develop and iterate PCB designs for embedded systems
- Contribute to firmware development to support custom hardware
- Support motion control systems and associated sensing technologies
- Collaborate closely with industrial designers and software engineers to deliver cohesive product experiences
- Document design decisions, test results, and technical learnings clearly and professionally
Your profile
You are a capable and well‑rounded engineer with several years of experience delivering physical products or hardware systems in an R&D or innovation environment. You likely bring a strong foundation in one discipline—mechanical, electronics, or embedded systems—alongside demonstrated cross‑disciplinary capability. We are particularly interested in individuals who demonstrate:
- Technical Depth & Versatility — You are comfortable designing and building across the stack—from mechanical assemblies to embedded firmware. You understand the trade‑offs involved in early‑stage development and can move confidently between rapid prototyping and structured engineering processes.
- Hands‑on Expertise — You are as comfortable in the workshop as you are at your workstation. You can fabricate, modify, and assemble physical systems, and you understand how design decisions translate into real‑world performance.
- Systems Thinking — You approach problems holistically, considering mechanical constraints, electronics integration, sensing, and software behaviour as part of a unified system.
- Pragmatism & Ownership — You know when to refine and when to move forward. You can define scope, manage timelines, and take responsibility for delivering functional outcomes.
- Collaboration & Communication — You work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, contributing insight while remaining open to challenge. You communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical colleagues.
Technical Experience
- Modifying and repurposing existing hardware platforms to meet new requirements
- Breadboarding and rapid proof‑of‑concept development
- Development hardware assembly using dev kits and breakout boards
- Motion control systems and associated sensing technologies
- LED systems and illumination (desirable)
- Experience with microcontrollers such as ESP32, STM32, NRF52, Teensy, Arduino
- PCB design (Eagle, KiCad, Altium—no preference)
- PCB layout for digital signals (USB 2.0, I2C, I2S), MCU/MPU integration
- Firmware development (C, C++, Python, Rust, Arduino frameworks, or similar)
- 3D CAD experience (SolidWorks, Inventor, Pro/E, Rhino or equivalent)
Why us?
We aim to create an environment where experienced engineers can do meaningful, high‑quality work.
- Annual Leave 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays. We actively encourage you to take your leave.
- Enhanced Parental Leave Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
- Private Healthcare Bupa private medical insurance, including 24/7 GP access, mental health support, and specialist care. A health and wellness cashback plan.
- Wellbeing & Fitness 40% discount across the Hussle Gym network. Access to YuLife wellbeing and fitness benefits, including mindfulness resources, company‑wide challenges and cash rewards.
- Professional Development Opportunities for learning and development, access to industry talks, exhibitions, and visiting speakers.
- Studio Culture Regular company events and studio activities throughout the year.
Location Our Shoreditch studio is well connected and surrounded by a vibrant design and technology community. Independent Studio Native has operated independently in East London for over twenty years. We are committed to long‑term thinking, craft, and delivering thoughtful innovation without compromise.
If you are an experienced engineer who enjoys building ambitious, tangible systems and thrives in a collaborative R&D environment, we would welcome a conversation.
Senior Mechatronics Engineer employer: Native Design
Contact Detail:
Native Design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechatronics Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, workshops, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at a company you admire. You never know where a casual chat might lead!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and prototypes. Make sure to include detailed descriptions of your role and the impact of your work. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to mechatronics. Think about how you can demonstrate your hands-on expertise and systems thinking. Remember, it’s all about showcasing your problem-solving skills!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our innovative team at Native.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechatronics Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for mechatronics shine through! We want to see how your experiences and interests align with our innovative projects. Share specific examples of your work that demonstrate your passion for creating robust prototypes.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Senior Mechatronics Engineer role. Focus on your hands-on expertise and any cross-disciplinary projects you've worked on. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges in R&D environments!
Be Clear and Concise: In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to explain your technical skills and experiences. Remember, we appreciate well-documented design decisions and test results, so don’t hesitate to showcase your ability to communicate complex ideas simply.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our studio culture and values before you hit send!
How to prepare for a job interview at Native Design
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially in mechanical, electronic, and embedded systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Show Your Hands-On Skills
Since this role requires strong hands-on capability, be prepared to talk about your experience in the workshop. Bring examples of prototypes or systems you've built, and explain the design decisions you made and their impact on performance.
✨Demonstrate Systems Thinking
During the interview, highlight your ability to approach problems holistically. Discuss how you integrate mechanics, electronics, and software in your projects, and be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios that require a systems-level perspective.
✨Communicate Clearly
Collaboration is key in this role, so practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Be ready to engage with both technical and non-technical team members, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively across disciplines.