Lead Design Engineer (Robotics / Bespoke Machinery / Innovation)

Midlands £50,000 – £60,000 On site

Some engineering roles are about maintaining systems, this isn’t one of them.

This is a business designing and building complex robotic and electro-mechanical systems, the kind of projects where there isn’t a textbook answer, and “figuring it out” is part of the job.

They’re now at a turning point.

Up until now, it’s been heavily R&D-led, fast, creative, problem-solving focused. Now, they’re starting to scale and move towards production, and they need someone who can sit in the middle of that shift.

The Role

You’ll be the technical lead across a small, multidisciplinary development team (mechanical, robotics, electronics, software).

Not a corporate manager. Not a box-ticker.

More like the person who keeps multiple development projects moving, decides what gets worked on next and why, and still gets hands-on with robotic and electro-mechanical systems when needed. You’ll act as the bridge between concept-stage robotics and real, buildable products.

It’s a “first among equals” role guiding, coordinating, and driving progress without heavy hierarchy.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and coordinating robotics and R&D projects simultaneously
• Working across mechanical design, motion systems, and control challenges
• Supporting engineers to solve complex, open-ended technical problems
• Driving development from concept through to prototype and production-ready systems
• Bringing structure and prioritisation to a fast-moving innovation environment
• Working closely with leadership on technical direction and product evolution

What They’re Looking For

You’ll likely come from robotics, automation, special purpose machinery, or advanced product development environments involving electro-mechanical systems.

• Strong mechanical or electro-mechanical grounding with exposure to robotics
• Experience working with motion systems, automation, or robotic applications
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
• Able to coordinate and prioritise technical work across a team
• Hands-on mindset with a willingness to get involved in builds, testing, and problem solving
• Pragmatic approach with an understanding of delivery vs perfection

The Environment

Small, highly capable team working on real-world robotic systems

• Non-hierarchical, low ego culture
• Strong mix of R&D, prototyping, and physical build and testing
• Fast-moving environment where ideas turn into working systems quickly
• Fully on-site due to the hands-on nature of the work

Why It’s Worth a Conversation

If you enjoy working on robotic systems that don’t already exist, solving complex multidisciplinary engineering problems, having real technical influence without layers of management, and being part of a company moving from R&D into production, this is a genuinely interesting opportunity.