Join a mission-driven team developing Vivomer, a revolutionary material designed to eliminate plastic waste. As a Manufacturing Development Engineer, you will pioneer new production routes from initial concept through pilot validation. You will build first-of-their-kind manufacturing processes, working hands-on with molding and extrusion to scale sustainable materials for global impact.
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Manufacturing Development Engineer at Shellworks
Help eliminate plastic waste by pioneering manufacturing processes for a revolutionary, microbe-based material. This venture-backed startup is developing plastic-free alternatives that disappear in nature, and they need a Manufacturing Development Engineer to take concepts from prototype to production. If you have a background in polymer processing and a hands-on mechanical engineering mindset, this is your chance to build the infrastructure for a sustainable future. Based in London with daily catered lunches and equity options, this role offers a unique opportunity to scale a world-changing technology from the ground up.
About this role
Role overview
About the company
Shellworks is a design-led techbio company developing plastic-free, compostable packaging materials and products to replace conventional plastics. The company cultivates high‑performance biomaterials in its lab using natural fermentation processes and plant or waste feedstocks, creating materials that are recyclable in the biological cycle and can safely break down in home or industrial composting environments.[1][2][3][4][5] Its flagship material, Vivomer, is a bio‑based, vegan, shelf‑stable and reusable alternative to plastic that contains no microplastics or toxic additives and is made and unmade by microbes.[1][3][4] Shellworks works with brands and manufacturers to deliver sustainable packaging solutions and other commercial products that match or exceed the performance of traditional plastic, aiming to demonstrate that large‑scale, plastic‑free innovation is commercially viable while significantly reducing environmental impact.[1][2][3][4][5]
What you'll do
What you will do
- Develop and prototype early-stage manufacturing routes including molding, extrusion, and hybrid assembly methods for sustainable products.
- Lead technical trials and equipment specification, acting as the primary interface between the team and external co-manufacturing partners.
- Oversee the validation and handover of stable manufacturing processes to the continuous production team for global scalability.
Who you are
Who this is a fit for
- Proven experience in plastics and polymer processing, demonstrating a strong technical grasp of molding, extrusion, and machine design.
- Hands-on mechanical engineering expertise with the creative ability to build, prototype, and validate custom machines and methods.
- A high-autonomy self-starter who thrives in ambiguous startup environments and is comfortable traveling to global partner facilities.
Why this role
Why this role is remarkable
- Work with a revolutionary, microbe-based material that behaves like plastic but is recognized as food by nature's microbes.
- Play a pivotal role in a high-growth startup tackling the global plastic crisis through cutting-edge material science and engineering.
- Enjoy a high-impact culture featuring daily catered lunches, enhanced parental leave, and a comprehensive Heka wellbeing allowance.
Jack & Jill
How Jack & Jill work together
I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
I recruit from Jack’s network and make the intro when I spot a great match.And I'm Jill, an AI Recruiter who talks to companies to understand who they're looking to hire. Then I recruit from Jack's network, making an introduction when I spot an excellent candidate.
Meet Jack
Jack gets to know what you're great at and what you want next, then searches 15 million jobs daily and helps you discover roles at companies like this.
How does this work?
Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If it’s a match and the company wants to meet you, they’ll make the intro. In the meantime, if you’d like, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.