AcoustoFab
R&D Engineer (Prototyping & Integration)
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R&D Engineer (Prototyping & Integration)
R&D Engineer (Prototyping & Integration)
Location: London, UK
Industry: Deep Tech / Robotics / Advanced Manufacturing / Automation
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: Competitive
About Us
We build machines that move matter using sound waves.
AcoustoFab is pioneering the next generation of contactless automation through acoustic levitation technology. Our systems use programmable ultrasonic fields to manipulate delicate materials without physical contact, enabling new approaches to precision handling, inspection, sorting, and manufacturing.
Our technology is already deployed globally through our Alchema Research platform, supporting customers in life sciences and advanced research environments. We are now expanding our scope to include a programme focused on scaling and commercialising contactless pick–inspect–place robotics for agricultural, pharma, and advanced manufacturing applications.
As an early-stage deep tech company, we combine acoustics, robotics, software, machine vision, and product engineering to create entirely new classes of automation systems.
Role Overview
We are looking for an R&D Engineer to support the development of AcoustoFab’s next generation of contactless automation platforms.
Your initial focus will be on CONTACT, a funded programme developing modular pick–inspect–place robotics for agri-tech and advanced manufacturing applications. Working closely with a Senior R&D Engineer and wider technical team, you will help design, build, integrate, and validate the systems that form the foundation of our future industrial products.
This is a highly hands-on engineering role combining prototype development, system integration, experimentation, and testing. You will contribute across the full development lifecycle, from concept generation and prototype construction through to validation and pilot deployment.
The role is approximately 40% engineering development and prototyping, 40% system integration and testing, and 20% experimental validation and deployment support.
This is an excellent opportunity for an early-to-mid career engineer who wants to work on cutting-edge automation technology, develop practical multidisciplinary engineering skills, and grow alongside a rapidly expanding deep-tech company.
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What You'll Work On
- Support the design, construction, and integration of modular automation systems combining acoustic manipulation, machine vision, sensing, and control software.
- Design and build prototype modules, experimental rigs, fixtures, and development hardware used in system validation and product development.
- Assemble, test, and debug prototype systems and hardware-software interfaces.
- Assist with the integration of acoustic manipulation hardware, sensors, cameras, control systems, and supporting software.
- Design and execute experiments to evaluate throughput, reliability, accuracy, and system performance.
- Collect, analyse, and interpret experimental data to support engineering and product development decisions.
- Support development of validation methodologies, reliability testing, and continuous-operation testing.
- Assist with pilot deployments and help optimise system performance in operational environments.
- Troubleshoot issues across mechanical, electronic, software, and system-level components.
- Contribute to technical documentation, test reports, validation records, and engineering best practices.
- Work closely with senior engineers and researchers to translate prototype concepts into robust, deployable systems.
Qualifications & Skills
Required
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
- Knowledge of C++ and the Visual Studio environment.
- Experience designing, building, and testing complex engineering systems involving hardware and software.
- Strong understanding of system integration principles.
- Experience developing and validating prototypes in an R&D environment.
- Ability to design experiments, analyse results, and communicate findings clearly.
- Experience working across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a practical, hands-on engineering mindset.
- Familiarity with software development and scripting for automation, testing, or data analysis.
- Comfortable working in both laboratory and customer-facing deployment environments.
Nice to Have
- Experience with robotics, automation systems, or industrial equipment.
- Experience integrating sensors, machine vision systems, cameras, or imaging technologies.
- Familiarity with motion control, control systems, or real-time systems.
- Knowledge of acoustic systems, ultrasonics, signal processing, or precision manipulation technologies.
- Experience with reliability engineering, design-for-manufacture, or productisation activities.
- Experience supporting pilot deployments or customer validation activities.
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Mindset
We're looking for someone who is:
- Curious, hands-on, and excited by building and testing novel technologies.
- Comfortable working in a fast-moving environment where experimentation and rapid iteration are essential.
- Happy moving between design work, workshop activities, system assembly, testing, and data analysis.
- Eager to learn from experienced engineers and develop expertise across multiple technical disciplines.
- Able to take ownership of tasks while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Motivated by solving practical engineering problems and helping bring breakthrough technologies into real-world applications.
What We Offer
- Hybrid working with access to our central London laboratory and development facilities.
- The opportunity to work on cutting-edge acoustic manipulation and automation technologies.
- A collaborative multidisciplinary environment spanning physics, robotics, software, electronics, and product development.
- Direct involvement in the development of next-generation industrial automation platforms.
- Opportunities to contribute to patents, publications, prototypes, and commercial products.
- Significant hands-on experience across the full engineering lifecycle, from concept through deployment.
- Clear progression opportunities as the company grows, with scope to take ownership of increasingly complex subsystems, projects, and customer deployments.
Join Us
If you're excited about developing advanced automation systems, building technologies that bridge research and commercial deployment, and helping shape the future of contactless robotics, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now and help build the next generation of precision automation at AcoustoFab.
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