Junior product development engineer

We're looking for a hands-on Junior Product Development Engineer to join Vuala.

This isn't a typical graduate engineering role. You'll be designing, building, testing and deploying real robotic systems operating at London Heathrow Airport, Amazon Fulfilment Centres, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero and the University of Cambridge Science Park.

You'll work directly with our founders and engineers across the full product lifecycle, from CAD and prototyping to manufacturing, installation and commissioning.

What you'll be doing

• Design and further develop our Vuala X100 food waste recycling robot
• Create CAD models, mechanical designs and engineering drawings and documentations
• Select components and support electrical, controls and software development
• Prototype, build and assemble robotic systems
• Work with suppliers and manufacturers to fabricate components
• Conduct mechanical and electrical testing and troubleshooting
• Install and commission systems at customer sites
• Carry out site surveys and support project delivery
• Service, maintain and upgrade deployed systems
• Continuously improve reliability, manufacturability and performance

One day you could be designing a robot on CAD, the next assembling it in our manufacturing site, and the next commissioning a system at a Amazon Fulfilment Centre.

No two weeks are the same.

What we're looking for

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Industrial Design or a related discipline
• Strong CAD skills, such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360 or AutoCAD
• Hands‑on experience with engineering, machine design or prototyping projects
• Comfortable working with mechanical and electrical systems
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Interest in 3D printing and rapid prototyping
• Full UK driving licence; experience driving a manual van is a plus
• Willingness to travel to customer sites
• Proactive, practical and comfortable working in a fast‑growing startup

We don't expect a junior engineer to know everything. What matters is that you learn quickly, solve problems and turn ideas into working hardware.

Arduino, PLCs, industrial automation, robotics, electrical wiring, sensors and actuators, embedded systems, manufacturing, fabrication or design for manufacture.

Attitude matters more than experience.We're looking for someone who's curious, proactive, enjoys building things, and isn't afraid of getting stuck in.

The role

• Full-time
• Based at our London manufacturing facility
• Regular travel to customer sites
• Work directly with founders and senior engineers
• Significant opportunities for learning and career progression

Pay

• Training and professional development
• Opportunity to grow with one of the UK's fastest‑growing climate technology startups

About Vuala

Vuala is a UK bio‑robotics company building the next generation of automated waste and energy infrastructure.

Our intelligent robotic systems automate the entire food waste process, from lifting, weighing, tipping, and cleaning bins to removing contaminants and converting food waste into a stable liquid feedstock for renewable energy production.

Designed, built, and manufactured in the UK, our technology helps businesses reduce labour costs, lower carbon emissions, and simplify waste operations. Our systems are already deployed with organisations includingLondon Heathrow Airport, Amazon Fulfilment Centres, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, and the University of Cambridge Science Park.

Join us and help build the next generation waste & energy infrastructure.

This role is NOT for you if

• You prefer sitting behind a desk all day
• You don't enjoy practical, hands‑on engineering
• You aren't comfortable travelling to customer sites
• You don't enjoy working in a fast‑paced startup environment
• You're looking for a fully remote role
• You cannot stand the smell of food waste

The reality of the role

Our robots don't sit in a laboratory. They operate in real commercial kitchens and food service environments, processing large volumes of real food waste every day.

Engineering in the real world isn't always clean. Sometimes a machine needs to be inspected, a blockage needs clearing, or a component needs replacing. That means you'll occasionally be working directly with food waste while diagnosing and fixing problems.

If the thought of getting your hands dirty (literally) or dealing with smelly food waste makes you uncomfortable, this probably isn't the right role for you.

But if you enjoy solving real engineering problems in challenging environments and seeing the impact of your work firsthand, you'll fit right in.