Mimica is seeking an experienced Product Design Engineer, ideally with experience of packaging/labels to support on a fractional contract-basis the development and scale-up of new formats of our food spoilage smart labels. This is a North West-based flexible, ongoing freelance role for approximately 15-25 hours per month working closely with our small team on designing, prototyping, technical development, supplier collaboration, and manufacturing integration for our new products. Your work will directly contribute to pioneering waste-reducing solutions in the food industry.
About us
At Mimica, we’ve developed a range of award-winning labels, called Bump, that tell you exactly when food spoils, based on storage conditions. Our mission is to radically reduce unnecessary food waste caused by the current expiry date system. We work in partnership with international food companies and their suppliers to integrate our solutions into their packaging.
Our company values are core to the way we operate and guide our decision-making. We’re looking for someone to join our current team of 8 to transition new product concepts from lab-scale to pilot and commercial environments.
You
We’re looking for somebody passionate about sustainability, making a difference to food waste and who wants to be part of a fast-paced tight-knit startup culture.
As one of our company values is diverse expertise, we embrace applicants from all walks of life.
You should have:
- 5+ years’ relevant industry experience within the design engineering and/or packaging fields
- Experience working with external manufacturers/suppliers and/or pilot production/line setup
- Understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes, including automation technologies, and how to scale from prototype to production (DFM)
- Complete competence in CAD (ideally SolidWorks)
- Experience managing your own workstreams (planning, timelines, prioritisation)
- Strong hands-on engineering skills (workshop/lab) with a practical, methodical approach to testing, iteration and continuous improvement
- A proactive, problem-solving mindset, with creativity and a hands-on / “maker” approach
- High attention to detail and ability to clearly communicate progress, findings, issues and asking questions
- Comfortable working in a startup or small team environment
Nice to have:
- Experience in technical packaging/innovative labelling design and development (materials, plastics, part design, industrialisation)
- Familiarity with product management
- Knowledge and experience in designing for injection moulding
- Exposure to automated manufacturing or assembly systems in practice
- Experience with simulation tools (e.g. CAE, mechanical, rheology)
- Rendering/visualisation tools (e.g. KeyShot)
- Basic understanding of materials science or chemistry
- Experience in a startup or scaling hardware environment
Some of your activities may include:
- Designing and developing components for new complex labelling concepts
- Collaborating with chemistry and product teams to ensure designs are scalable and manufacturable
- Collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers to assess feasibility and production methods and encouraging their involvement in product development
- Creating CAD models, technical drawings, and prototype specifications
- Hands-on prototyping, testing and iteration
- Supporting transition from lab-scale prototypes to pilot and industrial production
- Advising on materials, adhesives, converting processes, and assembly methods
- Working on tooling, fixtures and manufacturing processes
- Supporting automation and assembly process development
- Solving practical engineering and manufacturing challenges
- Managing timelines and tracking development progress
Work hours
This is an ongoing part-time freelance role, with flexibility on working hours and structure. We expect approximately 15-25 hours per month, with working patterns agreed based on project needs.
Benefits
- Flexible working options
- Access to free therapy
- Free railcard
- Annual company retreats
Location
Ideally you will be able to work regularly from our site at Bryn Business Centre in Wrexham, LL13 9UT and from home. However for the right expertise, we would also consider remote options with occasional travel to the site.
Apply
If we’ve made your brain itch, please get in touch and send your CV, examples of work, cover letter and hourly rate to [email protected] by 15 June.
The recruitment process for this role will involve 1-2 online/in-person interviews with a start date from mid-July.
Benefits:
- Company events
- Flexitime
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Wrexham LL13 9UT: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- How many years of CAD experience (ideally SolidWorks) do you have?
- What is your expected hourly freelance rate (£/hour)?
- Are you available for approximately 15–25 hours per month on an ongoing basis?
- Are you legally authorised to work as a freelancer/contractor in the UK?
Experience:
- design engineering and/or packaging: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person
