At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and prototype innovative robots, bridging software and hardware.
- Company: Whistle Robotics, making automation accessible for every factory.
- Benefits: Significant equity stake, hands-on experience, and a chance to shape the future.
- Other info: Work in a well-equipped lab in London with a world-class team.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in robotics and manufacturing.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in mechanical engineering, CAD proficiency, and a passion for robotics.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Whistle Robotics is making automation accessible to every factory. Our mission is to help small and medium-sized manufacturers increase productivity, extend machine utilisation, and overcome labour shortages. We do this by building intelligent, task-specific robots that can be deployed quickly and easily, starting with CNC machine tending.
The role:
As our Founding Mechanical Engineer, you will be the bridge between our software and the physical world. You won’t just be sitting behind a screen; you’ll be selecting and testing hardware, spending time in the lab prototyping, in the factory installing, and at the table with customers defining our product roadmap.
What you will do:
- Design & prototype: You will take ideas from design to production. You will work across the product, from parts of the robot like custom camera mounts and sensor brackets, to heavy-duty sheet metal stands and enclosures.
- DFM & Supply chain: You will help establish and optimise our supply chain and ensure our hardware is reliable, cost-effective, and easy to assemble.
- Hands-on Fabrication: Operate 3D printers, CNC mills and lathes to iterate fast. If a part doesn't exist, you’ll design and make it.
- Integrated Systems: Design and implement pneumatics, light electronics integration, and safety systems (CE/UKCA compliance) to ensure our robots are shop-floor ready.
- Customer-Centric Engineering: Spend time on factory floors, understanding the environments to ensure our hardware survives and thrives in the real world.
Who you are:
- You are an experienced engineer with a passion for robotics.
- You are looking to join an early team where you can make a difference.
- 5+ years in a hands-on mechanical engineering role (corporate and/or startup).
- Proficiency in CAD.
- Experience interacting with suppliers and buying technical products.
- Interest or experience in robotics.
- Experience in hands‑on metal fabrication (CNC milling/turning, sheet metal design, welding) and 3D printing.
- You can perform (or learn to perform) structural simulations to ensure our stands don't vibrate or tip under the dynamic loads of a robot.
- You can read technical drawings, compare different products using a datasheet and you don’t hesitate to hop on a call with a supplier to ask a question.
A Note on "Experience": Research shows that exceptional people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the criteria. If you are a brilliant engineer who loves building things, but you don't check every single box above, please apply anyway. We value talent, grit, and the ability to learn over a perfect resume.
Ground-floor opportunity: Be part of our founding team. You will have a significant equity stake and a direct influence on the company’s trajectory.
Real-world meaning and impact: We are deploying robots today. Your work will enable small local businesses to adopt Physical AI and drive the reshoring of production.
World-class team: Work directly with founders who have been there and done it, in both manufacturing and deep-tech AI.
The lab: A well‑equipped workspace in London where you have the tools, resources, and autonomy to build.
Our values:
- Driven by curiosity: You aren't afraid to dive into a problem outside your core discipline. You approach every problem with humility and a strong desire to learn.
- Focused and incremental: You ship high-quality products fast. You achieve that, not by working extra hours, but by working methodically, incrementally, constantly testing your own assumptions and focusing on the right things.
- Extreme ownership: You don't wait for a ticket to be assigned. You see a gap in the product? You design a solution and you implement it.
- Greater than the sum of parts: You amplify everyone around you. We are building something that matters, and we can’t do that alone. We work hard, in person, because the best engineering happens when the team is at the whiteboard (or the workbench) together.
Founding Mechanical Engineer employer: Whistle Robotics
Whistle Robotics is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a tangible impact in the world of automation and robotics. As a Founding Mechanical Engineer, you will join a dynamic team in London, where you will have the opportunity to work hands-on with cutting-edge technology, influence product development, and enjoy significant equity in a rapidly growing startup. Our collaborative work culture fosters curiosity and ownership, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to our mission of empowering small manufacturers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Mechanical Engineer
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Whistle Robotics.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Whistle Robotics love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Whistle Robotics and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Mechanical Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Whistle Robotics and the Founding Mechanical Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whistle Robotics
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Whistle Robotics.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Whistle Robotics.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Whistle Robotics, making you a more appealing candidate.
