Mechanical Engineer - Product Development

Kilter; Langhus; On-site; NOK 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Kilter is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join the Technology & Product Development team in Langhus.

You will work on end-to-end product development from concept to production-ready solutions, collaborating with mechanics, hardware, software, testing and production. The role requires ownership of technical work and proactive cross-disciplinary collaboration to deliver robust, manufacturable designs.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• Solid understanding of mechanical design and engineering fundamentals.
• Experience with parametric 3D CAD and mechanical product development.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and how they influence design.
• Experience with technical drawings, tolerances and production documentation.
• Good communication in English; Norwegian is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical concepts and designs at component, module and system level.
• Design mechanical parts and assemblies using parametric 3D CAD.
• Develop plastic and metal components including injection-moulded, machined and sheet metal parts.
• Perform mechanical calculations and FEA where appropriate.
• Build prototypes, test rigs and test series.
• Plan and carry out practical testing; use results to improve designs.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues on prototypes and existing products.
• Apply DFM and DFA principles; consider serviceability and repair.
• Collaborate with production and suppliers to move designs to production.
• Produce manufacturing drawings and technical documentation.

Skills

Mechanical design

Parametric 3D CAD

FEA

Engineering fundamentals

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelors in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

3D CAD software

Job description

We are Kilter, and we’re on a mission to transform sustainable agriculture and food production by harnessing the power of technology. With a growing population and a diet increasingly shifting towards plant-based foods, innovative solutions are required. We need to grow more food on less land while protecting nature and the environment.

Kilter develops groundbreaking technology that addresses major challenges for farmers in a sustainable way. Our fully automated agricultural robot, Kilter AX-1, represents a paradigm shift in weed control. Using advanced AI and patented nozzle technology, AX-1 precisely targets weeds without harming crops or soil. This reduces herbicide use by up to 95% and increases crop yield by up to 35%.

About the role

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Technology & Product Development team and help develop and improve Kilter's products.

This is a hands-on product development role covering the full path from concept and mechanical design to prototypes, testing and production-ready solutions. You will work with both new designs and improvements to existing products, and collaborate closely with engineers across mechanics, hardware, software and testing, as well as with production.

You will typically be given a problem to solve rather than a detailed description of how to solve it. We expect you to take ownership of the technical work: understand the problem, evaluate possible solutions, choose appropriate tools and methods, and verify that the final solution works in practice.

At the same time, product development at Kilter is a collaborative effort, and you are expected to actively involve colleagues, share ideas and challenges, while working closely with others both within the mechanical team and across disciplines to arrive at the best solution.

What will you do?

• Develop mechanical concepts and design solutions at component, module and system level
• Design mechanical parts and assemblies using parametric 3D CAD
• Develop components in plastics and metals, including injection-moulded, machined and sheet metal parts
• Perform mechanical calculations and FEA where appropriate
• Build and assemble prototypes, test rigs and test series
• Plan and carry out practical testing and use the results to evaluate and improve designs
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues on prototypes and existing products
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Consider serviceability, maintainability and practical repair in the field as part of the design
• Consider tolerances, material selection and manufacturing methods as part of the engineering work
• Improve designs with respect to robustness, manufacturability, assembly time, weight, cost and material availability
• Produce manufacturing drawings and other necessary technical documentation
• Work closely with production and suppliers when moving designs from prototype to production
• Contribute to technical decisions across disciplines when mechanical design interacts with hardware, software and the overall product

The role involves both engineering work at your desk and practical work on the product. You should be comfortable going from CAD and analysis to the workshop to assemble, modify or test a design yourself.

We think you will thrive with us if you

• Enjoy solving mechanical problems and understanding why things work – or why they do not
• Combine analytical thinking with a practical approach
• Take ownership of technical problems and drive them towards a working solution
• Are comfortable making engineering decisions without having every step defined in advance
• Actively involve colleagues and use the competence of the team when solving problems
• Like building and testing your own designs
• Are willing to challenge and revise a design when testing, production or field experience shows that it can be improved
• Appreciate working in cross disciplinary projects
• Are comfortable balancing technical performance against practical constraints such as production, cost, weight and serviceability

You most likely have

• A degree in mechanical engineering, product development, mechatronics or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• A solid understanding of mechanical design and engineering fundamentals
• Experience with parametric 3D CAD and mechanical product development
• An understanding of manufacturing processes and how they influence mechanical design
• Experience with, or a good understanding of, technical drawings, tolerances and production documentation
• Good communication skills in English, skills in Norwegian is a benefit

Experience with injection-moulded plastics, sheet metal, machined components, FEA, prototyping, testing and production-oriented design is highly relevant.

Professional experience from mechanical product development is preferred. However, we care more about demonstrated technical ability, engineering judgement and the ability to solve real design problems than a specific number of years of experience. A candidate with less professional experience but a strong technical background and relevant hands-on experience may therefore also be a good fit.

Why should you choose Kilter?

At Kilter, you will be part of an innovative and rapidly growing startup with global ambitions. You’ll work in a flat, open, and inclusive environment, surrounded by engaged and talented colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds. Working styles vary across the teams and projects, but we all share a passion for delivering solutions that promote sustainable food production.

• We give our people the opportunity to grow and take ownership of their work.
• As the company expands, you will have room to shape both your role and your skills.
• Our headquarters are in Langhus, Nordre Follo, with parking and charging facilities for electric cars.
• We offer a competitive salary and the opportunity to participate in the company’s options programme.

If you want to make a meaningful impact on advanced robotic products, enjoy working close to the physical products and thrive in a collaborative environment alongside technical and creative colleagues, we would like to hear from you.

Do you have any questions about the position?

Reach out to Kristian Nilsen Ødegaard at [e-mail]