Junior Project Engineer

Vuala; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and professional development

Growth with a fast-growing startup

Job summary

Vuala is seeking a hands-on Junior Project Engineer to join our London-based team. You’ll build, test, install, and commission robotic systems deployed at high-profile sites while working directly with experienced engineers and founders to push forward our climate tech vision.

The role emphasizes practical problem-solving in a fast-growing startup, with opportunities to learn across mechanical, electrical, and automation disciplines and to contribute to site installations and commissioning in

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, industrial design or related.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working with mechanical and electrical systems.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Full UK driving licence and confident driving a manual van.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites across London and occasionally elsewhere in the UK.
• Eagerness to learn and thrive in a fast-growing startup.

Responsibilities

• Building and assembling Vuala robotic systems at our London facility.
• Assisting with installation and commissioning at customer sites.
• Conducting electrical and mechanical testing, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.
• Supporting project planning, technical documentation, and engineering drawings.
• Carrying out site surveys and preparing installation plans.
• Coordinating with suppliers, contractors, and customers during delivery.
• Supporting servicing, maintenance, and system upgrades.
• Helping improve product performance through testing and feedback.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Robotics

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics/Robotics

Tools

CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD)

Job description

We’re looking for ahands-on Junior Project Engineerto join the team atVuala.

This isn’t a typical graduate engineering role.

You’ll be building, testing, installing, and commissioning real robotic systems that are operating atLondon Heathrow Airport, Amazon Fulfilment Centres, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, and the University of Cambridge Science Park. You’ll work directly with experienced engineers and founders to deliver technology that’s transforming commercial food waste management.

If you enjoy solving real-world engineering problems and want to see your work deployed in the field, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll actually be doing

• Building and assembling Vuala robotic systems at our London manufacturing facility
• Assisting with the installation and commissioning of robotic systems at customer sites
• Conducting electrical and mechanical testing, diagnostics, and troubleshooting
• Supporting project planning, technical documentation, and engineering drawings
• Carrying out site surveys and preparing installation plans
• Coordinating with suppliers, contractors, and customers during project delivery
• Supporting servicing, maintenance, and system upgrades
• Helping improve product performance through testing and engineering feedback

One day you’ll be assembling a robot in our manufacturing facility.

The next you’ll be installing a system at Heathrow Airport.

The day after you’ll be commissioning equipment at a customer site or troubleshooting a technical issue.

No two weeks are the same.

What we’re looking for

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, industrial design or a related discipline
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Comfortable working with mechanical and electrical systems
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Full UK driving licence and confident driving a manual van
• Willingness to travel to customer sites across London and occasionally elsewhere in the UK
• Eagerness to learn and thrive in a fast-growing startup

Bonus if you have experience with:

• Driving a van
• CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, etc.)
• Arduino, PLCs or industrial automation
• Robotics
• Electrical wiring and control systems
• Manufacturing or workshop environments
• Sustainability or circular economy technologies

Attitude matters more than experience.

We’re looking for someone who’s curious, proactive, enjoys building things, and isn’t afraid of getting stuck in.

The role

• Full-time
• Based at our London manufacturing facility
• Regular travel to customer sites
• Work directly with founders and senior engineers
• Significant opportunities for learning and career progression

Pay

• Training and professional development
• Opportunity to grow with one of the UK’s fastest-growing climate technology startups

About Vuala

Vuala is a UK bio-robotics company building the next generation of automated waste and energy infrastructure.

Our intelligent robotic systems automate the entire food waste process, from lifting, weighing, tipping, and cleaning bins to removing contaminants and converting food waste into a stable liquid feedstock for renewable energy production.

Designed, built, and manufactured in the UK, our technology helps businesses reduce labour costs, lower carbon emissions, and simplify waste operations. Our systems are already deployed with organisations includingLondon Heathrow Airport, Amazon Fulfilment Centres, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, and the University of Cambridge Science Park.

Join us and help build the next generation waste & energy infrastructure.

This role is NOT for you if

• You prefer sitting behind a desk all day
• You don’t enjoy practical, hands-on engineering
• You aren’t comfortable travelling to customer sites
• You don’t enjoy working in a fast-paced startup environment
• You’re looking for a fully remote role
• You cannot stand the smell of food waste

The reality of the role

Our robots don’t sit in a laboratory. They operate in real commercial kitchens and food service environments, processing large volumes of real food waste every day.

Engineering in the real world isn’t always clean.

Sometimes a machine needs to be inspected, a blockage needs clearing, or a component needs replacing. That means you’ll occasionally be working directly with food waste while diagnosing and fixing problems.

If the thought of getting your hands dirty (literally) or dealing with smelly food waste makes you uncomfortable, this probably isn’t the right role for you.

But if you enjoy solving real engineering problems in challenging environments and seeing the impact of your work firsthand, you’ll fit right in.