You will own the end-to-end design and manufacture of critical hardware sub-systems, including reactors and electrolysers. Tasked with making synthetic fuel cheaper than fossil fuels, you will rethink low-volume technologies for mass production. This role involves everything from concept generation and CAD to hands-on fabrication and commissioning in our London workshop.
Senior Mechanical Engineer at Seed-stage synthetic fuel startup
Are you a hands-on engineer ready to build the hardware that replaces fossil fuels? This seed-stage synthetic fuel startup in London is hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own the design and manufacture of entire sub-systems from scratch. Working alongside a high-intensity team of Imperial and Cambridge engineers, you'll apply first-principles thinking to make clean energy cheaper than dirty fuel. With a £70k-£90k salary, significant equity, and a unique £6,000/year housing subsidy to live near their Bermondsey HQ, this is a rare opportunity to lead mission-driven engineering where it matters most.
Overview
Role overview
Company
Rivan Industries
Seed-stage synthetic fuel startup decarbonising heavy industry through first-principles hardware engineering
Backed by Plural, 20VC, NFDG (Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross), Patrick Collison, John Collison.
Responsibilities
What you will do
- Lead the architecture and technical requirement capture for major sub-systems like DAC modules or high-pressure electrolyser stacks.
- Design and execute rapid, low-cost test rigs to validate underlying physical hypotheses and iterate hardware based on real-world data.
- Manage the full lifecycle from SolidWorks CAD models and workshop fabrication to the final assembly, integration, and commissioning of fuel plants.
Candidate profile
Who this is a fit for
- Has 5+ years of professional mechanical or aerospace engineering experience with a proven track record of delivering complex hardware systems.
- Possesses deep expertise in SolidWorks and DFM/DFA, complemented by hands-on workshop experience in fabrication, welding, or prototype assembly.
- Demonstrates strong fundamentals in thermofluids, heat transfer, and simulation tools like Python, FEA, or CFD to solve high-stakes engineering problems.
What makes it remarkable
Why this role is remarkable
- Radical engineering freedom to rethink complex systems from first principles, stripping away complexity to achieve ultra-low-cost mass manufacturing.
- Extraordinary team culture of hands-on builders, featuring engineers from elite motorsports, rocketry clubs, and world-class institutions like Imperial and Cambridge.
- Unique relocation and housing benefits, including a £6,000 annual subsidy to live near the HQ, ensuring you are at the heart of the action.
Jack & Jill
How Jack & Jill work together
Meet Jack
Jack gets to know what you're great at and what you want next, then searches 14 million jobs daily and introduces you directly to hiring managers.
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.