Mechatronics Engineer

Posted on:

April 14, 2025

Job description

Company Mission and Values

At Aquila, we dream big and innovate boldly. Our mission? To unleash the power of an infinitely scalable energy network, transforming how renewable energy moves from source to user, everywhere and anywhere.

What fuels us (aside from lots of coffee!) is our set of fun and fierce values:

Pessimistic Optimism: Challenges? Bring them on! We're experts at turning setbacks into setups for success. (Think: Making lemonade out of life's lemons!)
Universal Stewardship: We care deeply about our community, planet, and beyond. (Planting trees for future shade—literally and figuratively!)
Radical Authenticity: At Aquila, you do you. We champion genuine passion and fearless originality. (Yes, dance like everyone's watching!)
Endless Evolution: We're always growing, learning, and becoming stronger. (We love rolling stones uphill; it’s our workout!)

We’re curious explorers, relentless learners, bold innovators, and absolute champions of integrity.

Team Structure

You’ll join our professional and driven engineering team, which is passionate about building the fastest and safest optical power beaming systems on the market. You’ll work within our Control Systems team, which consists of talented embedded firmware, electronics, and mechatronics engineers, developing novel active control systems to enable revolutionary beam alignment, safety, and power conversion.

You will also collaborate closely with our equally dedicated hardware team, which specialises in turning ambitious concepts into tangible realities using cutting-edge free space optics and photovoltaic technologies. Our streamlined, efficient team structure includes daily standups to keep communication clear and concise and weekly training sessions to promote continuous learning and cross-team knowledge sharing.

Responsibilities

Role Responsibilities

Full end-to-end ownership of the design, build, and operation of fast and precise actuated gantry and gimbal systems to enable performance characterisation of our targeting and safety systems.
Work from first principles to design novel and effective systems to quantify and capture high-frequency data of SWIR beam profiles to support Aquila’s energy-beaming technology.
Lead the development and implementation of robust automated testing software aligned with modern software development standards.
Develop control software for test systems using high-level programming languages (preferably Python).Design, build, and assemble practical testing jigs and fixtures using rapid prototyping tools, alongside coordinating with external manufacturers.
Work alongside Embedded Software Engineers to interface with toolchains and microcontroller firmware to enable automated testing.
Utilise foundational knowledge of analogue electronics to support the design and interfacing of testing systems with external components.
Analyse performance data using statistical methods and best practice data analysis tools to draw actionable insights.
Document and communicate technical testing results clearly and effectively, supporting company-wide understanding and transparency.

Job requirements

Role Expectations

Proactively use their mechatronics skillset to develop and design infrastructure to empower our team to validate systems and make effective data-driven decisions.
Establish and maintain high standards for internal testing; initially focusing on the R&D process, while looking forward towards our transition into a qualification testing phase.
Effectively manage testing projects to alleviate bottlenecks and accelerate the critical path.
Effectively document test methodologies and results, enhancing knowledge accessibility across teams.
Continuously drive forward our core R&D through enabling us to observe the unobservable, quantify the unquantifiable, and thoroughly understand some of the hardest engineering problems.

Selection Criteria

Essential Skills and Qualifications

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics, Mechanical, Software, or Electronics) or equivalent hands-on industry experience (3-4 years).
Demonstrated experience with designing, manufacturing, and assembling complex mechatronics systems.
Proficiency in a high-level programming language (Python preferred) with practical experience automating testing of mechatronics systems.
Basic knowledge of analogue electronics and practical application in a testing context.
Basic familiarity with core industry standard electronic communication protocols (I2C, SPI, UART, etc.)
Familiarity with industry standard statistical analysis, data science methodologies, and relevant software tools (Python, R, etc.).
Strong documentation skills, including creating clear and informative test plans and reports.
Proficiency using standard rapid-prototyping tools (3D printer, laser cutter, etc.)
Proficiency using standard engineering workshop hand tools, and familiarity with basic machine tools
Some proficiency with SMD and THT soldering

Less Critical, but nice to have

Proficiency in C/C++ (ideally in a modern embedded context)
Proficiency and understanding of Digital Signal Processing fundamentals
PCB design experience
Familiarity with an electronics communication bus standard (ideally CAN)
Strong experience in root cause analysis.

Soft Skills

Detail-oriented, yet pragmatic, driven to accelerate our R&D and help us accomplish our goals faster
Ability to distil complex technical information into accessible insights.
Thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment
Autonomous yet collaborative, working closely with stakeholders, but able to consistently drive forward projects on their own