Manufacturing Design Engineer

London, N4
4 days in our office, 1 day from home (choose from Tue–Thu)
£40-50k per annum (depending on experience) + equity

About Shellworks

At Shellworks, we’re on a mission to make plastic waste a thing of the past. We’re creating a new generation of materials - sustainable, high-performing, and designed to disappear. By reimagining how materials are made, we’re tackling one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.

About The Role

We are looking for a candidate to help productionise new products into mass manufacturing. You will work closely with Engineering in the development of products, ensuring products are validated and de-risked before production. As part of our fast-paced, collaborative environment, you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the planet while growing your expertise. If you're passionate about using your engineering skills to solve complex challenges and create a better future, this is the perfect role for you.

Key Responsibilities

This is a unique opportunity to work on scaling the future of packaging materials inspired by nature. When you join us you’ll get to:

• Bring new products to mass manufacturing by conducting product testing and validating for scale production.
• Improving internal product validation processes by developing a repeatable product validation process and streamlining activities.
• Implement best practices in physical product development, including documentation, change control, and other robust quality measures to ensure the highest standards of production quality and on-time delivery.
• Assist in coordinating aspects of new product development across a variety of projects in injection moulding, extrusion blow, and compounding.
• Work closely with our manufacturing partners, ensuring products meet cost, quality, and timeline expectations.
• Be the critical technical and project interface between sales, engineering, supply chain, suppliers, and customers.
• Collaborate on world-first projects across the molecular biology, mechanical engineering, product design and operations teams.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Degree in a relevant engineering discipline, such as materials science or mechanical engineering.
• You have over 2-4 years of proven experience in a relevant industrial manufacturing environment or in physical product development, ideally with exposure to polymers and plastic components.
• Experience with some of the following manufacturing technologies: injection moulding, blow moulding, compounding, or extrusion for plastic packaging.
• Experience in CAD - Onshape, Solidworks preferred.
• Experience in scaling production from prototype to high-volume manufacturing, with knowledge of both in-house and outsourced FMCG production being an advantage.
• Self-motivated and proactive, you thrive in a high-autonomy environment within a dynamic, early-stage start-up and excel in managing outsourced production partnerships and holding them accountable.
• Good written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively to both partners and clients.

What we offer

• 28 days holiday + statutory holidays
• Enhanced parental leave - 12 weeks maternity at full pay, 6 weeks paternity at full pay
• Heka wellbeing allowance - to spend on what matters to you - gym, therapy, nutrition, learning, fertility and menopause support, and lots of other options!
• Virtual GP - same or next day appointments and private prescriptions delivered to you
• Cycle to work scheme - buy, subscribe to, or share a bike with savings of up to 42% via salary sacrifice
• Competitive salary + equity options
• Growth and development opportunities as we scale
• Regular socials + daily catered lunch at the office
• A tightly knit, passionate team making a real impact

Hiring Process

• Initial Chat
• Technical task
• Onsite
• Founder Chat

Join Our Mission

Becoming a part of Shellworks means being part of a team that’s passionate about sustainability and innovation. Our world-class team includes experts in materials science and visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a better future. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible.

Are you ready to help us lead the way in sustainable materials?