Mechanical Engineer (Member of Technical Team), Edinburgh

About the Role

As a Member of Technical Team - Optomechanics, you will define the physical architecture that houses, stabilises, and protects our next-generation optical platforms. Operating at the critical intersection of precision engineering and applied physics, you will be responsible for ensuring that highly sensitive light projection systems perform flawlessly outside of idealised theoretical models.

You will own the structural integrity and environmental resilience of our devices. Because we work with complex laser interactions, you will design intricate assemblies that strictly isolate delicate optical paths from acoustic, vibrational, and environmental noise. You will be making high-stakes decisions regarding physical construction, rigorously evaluating and selecting materials to ensure optimal thermal conductivity and absolute dimensional stability under varying thermal loads. You must also design with strict environmental controls in mind, ensuring your selected components meet stringent low-outgassing requirements for pristine, contamination-free operation.

Beyond the design phase, you will lead the critical transition from bespoke laboratory prototypes into robust, repeatable systems. You will engineer these complex optomechanical assemblies for small-scale production, ensuring they can be reliably manufactured and assembled without compromising their nanometre-level precision. As a lead, you will also guide junior engineers, establish best practices for mechanical simulation, and work seamlessly alongside optical and hardware specialists.

About You

To succeed in this role, you must be a rigorous structural problem-solver who understands how the physical world interacts with high-energy optics. You are comfortable taking ownership of the entire mechanical lifecycle in a fast-paced startup environment.

Core Attributes & Startup Readiness

• Architectural Leadership: You are comfortable laying the groundwork. You can take an abstract optical requirement and build a comprehensive, manufacturable mechanical architecture around it.

• Cross-Disciplinary Mindset: You intuitively understand how mechanical decisions impact optical performance and electronic control systems, communicating effectively with experts across these domains.

• Agile Execution: You thrive in a dynamic setting where rapid prototyping and iterative testing are required to push boundaries and validate complex physics.

Technical Expertise

• Precision Optomechanics: Proven expertise in designing highly stable, low-noise mechanical structures tailored specifically for complex laser interactions and high-fidelity light projection systems.

• Advanced Simulation: Extensive, demonstrable experience using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) environments to rigorously validate structural integrity, modal frequencies, and thermal dissipation before physical prototyping begins.

• Material Science Application: A deep, practical understanding of engineering materials. You possess expert knowledge in managing thermal expansion coefficients, selecting alloys and polymers for heat dissipation, and ensuring strict compliance with outgassing and cleanliness standards.

• Small-Batch Manufacturing: Demonstrated experience designing for manufacturability (DFM) at low volumes. You know how to bridge the gap between a fragile lab bench setup and a robust, scalable product.

Desirable Skills (Plus Factors)

• Multiphysics Simulation: Hands-on experience utilising COMSOL Multiphysics to model complex, coupled interactions between the thermal, mechanical, and optical domains.

Benefits & Compensation We recognise that our foundational team members are the engine of our success. To reflect your critical role in building Cnuic Technologies, we offer a highly competitive compensation package. This includes:

• Equity Scheme: A generous allocation from our option pool, ensuring that as a fundamental builder of the company, you share substantially in our long-term success.
• Life Insurance: Comprehensive standard life insurance coverage for your peace of mind.
• Work Environment: A modern, state-of-the-art office space designed for both deep focus and team collaboration. This features dedicated recreational areas where you can step away from the desk, unwind, and recharge.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £35,000.00-£75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Work from home

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Edinburgh: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Please provide a brief cover letter to your application.

Experience:

• CAD: 1 year (preferred)

Location:

• Edinburgh (preferred)

Work Location: In person