Product Development & Embedded Systems Engineer – Automated RO Water Refill Station
Product Development \& Embedded Systems Engineer – Automated RO Water Refill Station
Salary: £50,000–£70,000 per year, depending on experience
Location: UK – \[Insert Location]
Job Type: Full\-time
About the Role
We are looking for a highly capable and practical Product Development / Embedded Systems Engineer to join our growing business and take a leading role in the development, engineering and improvement of our automated RO water refill station.
We currently have a working prototype of our water refill station, which has been developed and manufactured in China. We are now looking for an experienced engineer who can assess the existing system, understand how its various components and systems work together, identify areas for improvement and help us develop the next generation of the product for the UK market.
This is a hands\-on product development role. We are looking for someone with the technical ability to work across electronics, embedded systems, electrical engineering, mechanical systems, automation and product design.
The successful candidate will play an important role in taking the product from its existing prototype stage through to a reliable, commercially viable and production\-ready UK version.
Existing Prototype – South London
Our current working prototype is located in South London and will be a key part of the development process.
The successful candidate will need to be able to travel independently to the prototype location in South London to inspect, study, test and work on the existing machine.
Regular access to the prototype will be required throughout the development process, particularly during the initial assessment, reverse\-engineering, testing and improvement stages.
The ability and willingness to travel to the South London location as required is therefore an important part of the role.
The Role
You will be involved in the development of the complete machine, including its electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and software systems.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Assessing and documenting the existing prototype and its underlying systems.
- Understanding how the existing electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and software components interact.
- Identifying weaknesses, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement within the current design.
- Reverse\-engineering existing systems where necessary.
- Developing improved designs and engineering solutions for the next generation of the product.
- Designing electrical and electronic control systems.
- Designing, modifying and developing circuit boards and associated circuitry where required.
- Programming and configuring microcontrollers, PLCs or other embedded control systems.
- Developing and refining the software and firmware responsible for the operation of the machine.
- Integrating pumps, valves, sensors, motors, displays, switches, payment systems and other components.
- Producing electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, engineering drawings and technical documentation.
- Using CAD and appropriate engineering design software to develop components and assemblies.
- Building, testing and debugging prototypes.
- Diagnosing and resolving electrical, electronic, software, mechanical and system\-level faults.
- Improving the reliability, safety, performance and usability of the machine.
- Working with manufacturers and suppliers to identify and source appropriate components.
- Designing the product with eventual commercial manufacturing and scalability in mind.
- Developing clear technical specifications and documentation to support future manufacturing, assembly, testing and servicing.
As the product is an automated reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration and dispensing system, an understanding of RO and water\-treatment systems would be advantageous.
However, previous experience specifically within the RO industry is not essential.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop an understanding of the existing RO system as part of the product\-development process and understand how the filtration system integrates with the wider machine.
This includes understanding the interaction between the RO system, pumps, valves, sensors, pressure and flow systems, water storage, dispensing mechanisms and the electronic control system.
We are therefore more interested in your ability to understand and develop complex integrated systems than whether you have previously worked specifically on an RO machine.
UK Product Development \& Compliance
A key objective of the role will be to take our existing overseas prototype and develop it into a UK\-ready commercial product.
This will involve reviewing the existing design and determining where components, materials, systems and processes need to be redesigned, replaced or improved.
The successful candidate will be expected to take appropriate consideration of:
- Applicable UK product safety requirements and standards.
- Electrical and electronic safety.
- Machinery and equipment requirements.
- Materials and components used within the water system.
- Hygiene and suitability of materials intended for contact with drinking water.
- Electrical installation and protection.
- Water pressure, leakage and system protection.
- Appropriate testing, certification and documentation.
- Design for reliable commercial operation and maintenance.
- Manufacturing and assembly requirements.
The objective is to develop a machine that is appropriately engineered, documented and compliant with the applicable requirements for commercial deployment in the UK.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is genuinely hands\-on, technically capable and able to take ownership of complex engineering problems.
You do not necessarily need to have previously worked with vending machines or RO systems.
What matters most is your ability to understand complex electromechanical products, investigate how they work and develop practical engineering solutions.
Experience in several of the following areas would be highly relevant:
- Embedded systems and microcontrollers.
- Electronics and circuit design.
- PCB design and development.
- Embedded programming / firmware development.
- Electrical engineering.
- Mechanical engineering or mechatronics.
- CAD and engineering drawings.
- Sensors, pumps, valves, motors and control systems.
- Automation and control systems.
- Product development and prototyping.
- Fault finding and testing.
- Hardware/software integration.
- Design for manufacture.
- Commercial product development.
Experience with RO systems, water filtration equipment, water dispensing systems, vending machines, kiosks, automated machinery or payment systems would also be beneficial, but is not essential.
The Type of Person We're Looking For
This role would suit an engineer who enjoys taking a complex problem apart, understanding how it works and finding ways to make it better.
You should be comfortable working from an existing prototype and asking:
How does this system work? What can be improved? Why was it designed this way? And how can we develop a better solution?
We are particularly interested in someone who can work independently, investigate problems, take ownership of technical projects and turn concepts into practical working solutions.
You should be technically curious, methodical and resourceful, with the ability to research and learn new technologies and systems where required.
Opportunity for Equity / Share Options
In addition to the salary package, there is potential for a performance\-based equity/share option opportunity for the right candidate.
We are looking for someone who is interested in playing a significant role in the long\-term development of the product and the business.
Subject to experience, contribution, performance and mutually agreed terms, the successful candidate may have the opportunity to participate in an equity/share option arrangement as the business and product develop.
This opportunity may be particularly attractive to someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who wants to have a meaningful role in developing a product and contributing to the growth of the company.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to join a developing business at an exciting stage of its product development.
Rather than joining an established engineering department and working on one small part of a large project, you will have the opportunity to make a direct and significant contribution to the development of the entire product.
Your work will help shape:
- The machine's electrical and electronic architecture.
- Its embedded control systems and software.
- Its mechanical and hydraulic design.
- Its RO filtration and dispensing system.
- Its reliability and performance.
- Its manufacturing process.
- Its compliance and readiness for the UK market.
- Future generations of the product.
Salary \& Package
£50,000–£70,000 per year, depending on experience and technical capability.
For an exceptional candidate with extensive experience across embedded systems, electronics, product development and electromechanical engineering, we are open to discussing a higher salary.
Additional opportunity: Performance\-based equity/share options may be available to the successful candidate, subject to agreed performance criteria and terms.
Travel Requirement
The su
This listing is from Indeed. View original listing ↗