We are looking for a versatile, hands-on mechanical engineer or equivalent with practical experience on the workshop floor — someone who can help design, build, and iterate on the novel hardware that our science demands.
Cultivated meat production requires engineering solutions that do not yet exist off-the-shelf. As our Prototyping and Fabrication Engineer, you will play a central role in designing and developing custom bioprocessing equipment, bioreactor systems, and laboratory instrumentation – working directly alongside cell biologists, bioprocess engineers, and the production team to turn scientific requirements into reliable, affordable and scalable physical systems.
This is a broad, hands-on, high-impact role with real influence on how our equipment is designed and built as we scale from bench to production. It would suit an engineer who enjoys problems without a textbook answer, working across disciplines, and likes seeing their designs built and tested.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Fabrication
- Work closely with the Bioprocess Engineering team to translate process requirements into engineering specifications, and feed back on what is practical to build
- Help design, prototype, and iterate on custom mechanical systems including bioreactors, perfusion systems, and ancillary equipment from bench-scale development units through to production-scale vessels (2000 L and above)
- Select appropriate materials for components in contact with biological media, considering biocompatibility, sterilisability, cost, and mechanical performance
- Directly carry out fabrication, machining, welding, and assembly activities
- Manage relationships with external fabricators, machinists, and component suppliers
Equipment Management and Compliance
- Work closely with the Facility Manager to contribute to laboratory and production facility maintenance, including preventive maintenance scheduling
- Identify and resolve equipment faults with a systematic, root-cause approach
- Work with the Facility Manager in ensuring all engineering designs comply with applicable UK health and safety legislation
- Specify and procure instrumentation, actuators, and control components; ensure correct installation and calibration
- Champion a safety-first culture in all engineering and workshop activities
Requirements
- Degree or equivalent practical experience in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline
- Demonstrable experience designing and fabricating mechanical components, with examples of practical engineering work e.g. working with different materials such as metals and polymers
- Experience with pressure systems, pipework, or fluid handling systems
- Experience in a biotech, food technology, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment
- Experience designing or working with bioreactors, fermenters, or other biological process equipment
- Familiarity with biocompatible materials, aseptic or hygienic design principles
- Proficiency in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, or equivalent
- Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) for rapid prototyping
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Equity participation in a high-growth, mission-driven company
- 32 days’ holiday a year, including bank holidays. Use holiday to take bank holidays off or work them and use the days at another time; it’s up to you
- Learning & development budget, including support for relevant training, courses, and conferences
- Access to well-equipped laboratory and bioprocessing facilities
- The opportunity to develop novel bioprocesses that have never been built before, at the company leading the world in cultivated meat
- Pension contribution and private health insurance
Meatly is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
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