Senior Mechatronics Engineer

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.

• 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

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.

• 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 ESP
  32, STM
  32, NRF
  52, 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 (Solid Works, Inventor, Pro/E, Rhino or equivalent)

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.
• P…