Prototype Engineer

Humanoid; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Paid time off

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Free daily breakfast

Job summary

Humanoid is building advanced humanoid robotics and seeks a hands-on Prototype Engineer to build, assemble and maintain hardware prototypes for end effectors and wearable interfaces. You will run the prototyping shop, create test rigs, and translate CAD/BOMs into working units in a fast-paced environment where your work informs design decisions.

You’ll prototype with MCU platforms like ESP32 and Raspberry Pi, use 3D printers and basic machining, and help push rapid iteration across hardware

Qualifications

• Hands-on hardware prototyping experience (2-4 years) in robotics or hardware products.
• Ability to read CAD drawings and BOMs, translate to physical builds.
• Proficiency with 3D printing, basic machining, soldering and wiring harnesses.

Responsibilities

• Build, assemble and maintain prototype hardware from CAD/BOM to working units.
• Operate workshop tools and manage prototyping equipment.
• Prototype with MCU platforms (ESP32, Raspberry Pi) for test rigs.
• Build and run test rigs for durability, calibration and function.

Skills

Prototype hardware

3D printing

Soldering

MCU prototyping

Job description

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That's why we've set out on a mission to build the world's most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We're bringing that mission to life with HMND-01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we're growing the team to take it even further.

About the Role

We're looking for a hands-on Prototype Engineer to build, assemble and maintain hardware prototypes for the end effectors on our robots and the human-worn devices operators use to interface with them. You'll run our prototyping shop, build and maintain test rigs, and support hardware testing and trial sessions - turning CAD files and BOMs into working units, fast. This is a high-paced environment where turnaround is tight and your work directly shapes what the design team builds next.

What You'll Do

• Build Prototype Hardware: Build, assemble and maintain prototype hardware from CAD/BOM through to working units.

• Operate Workshop Equipment: Operate 3D printers, CNC and general workshop tools to produce prototype parts quickly and to spec.

• Prototype with MCUs: Quickly wire up and prototype with MCU platforms such as ESP32 and Raspberry Pi to support test rigs and hardware validation.

• Build & Run Test Rigs: Build, set up and run test rigs and validation jigs for durability, calibration and functional testing.

• Support Hardware Testing: Support hardware testing, internal trials and demo sessions, providing hands-on troubleshooting and repair.

• Turn Around Fast: Deliver prototype builds within tight timelines to keep pace with rapid design-iteration cycles.

• Manage the Shop: Maintain an organised prototyping shop and parts inventory, including fasteners, connectors and components.

• Feed Back to Design: Document build issues and feed practical build, assembly and serviceability feedback directly into design decisions.

What We're Looking For

• Background in mechanical/mechatronic engineering, technician training, or equivalent hands-on hardware experience, with 2-4 years' experience prototyping physical hardware or robotics products.

• Practical skills with 3D printing, hand tools, basic machining, soldering and cable/harness assembly.

• Ability to prototype quickly with MCU platforms (e.g. ESP32, Raspberry Pi and similar), plus basic breadboarding and circuit assembly skills.

• Comfortable reading CAD drawings and BOMs and translating them into a physical build; any level of CAD design capability is a plus.

• Experience building test rigs and supporting hardware testing, trials or demos of prototype hardware.

• A practical, get-it-working mindset with good organisational habits, comfortable in a high-paced, iterative environment.
  Nice to have

  • Any level of CAD design capability - not just reading drawings, but creating or modifying simple parts/fixtures

  • Basic electronics debugging skills (multimeter, continuity checks, simple rework)

  • Experience assembling wearable or compact electromechanical devices

  • Experience in a robotics or hardware startup lab environment

What We Offer

• Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.

• 30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas-NewYear shutdown).

• Private healthcare, including virtual and in-person care.

• Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.

• Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in-office.

• Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world-class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics.

• Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.