# Mechatronics Development Engineer - Pathogen > Ellison Institute of Technology · Oxford, United Kingdom · Full-time · Posted 2026-03-06 **Workplace:** on_site **Department:** Pathogen ## Description At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we’re on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges in four transformative areas: - Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology - Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture - Climate Change & Managing CO₂ - Artificial Intelligence & Robotics This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society. Explore more at [www.eit.org](http://www.eit.org). **Welcome to the Pathogen Project:** Within this ecosystem, the Pathogen Mission exemplifies EIT’s commitment to transformative science. It aims to revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases by leveraging whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based metagenomic and pathogen-specific analytical tools. This remit includes the development of a decentralised, sample-to-answer sequencing diagnostic platform for infectious diseases, enabling rapid and accurate analysis of patient samples without prior assumptions. Supported by Oracle Inc.’s cloud-computing scale and security infrastructure, the Pathogen Mission is progressing towards certified diagnostic products for deployment in laboratories, hospitals, and public health organisations worldwide. **Your Role:** At EIT we are seeking an experienced and detail orientated **Mechatronics Development Engineer** to help develop next-generation diagnostic technology. In this role, you’ll work alongside experts in microfluidics, microbiology, electronics and firmware to design, build and iterate prototype instrumentation for a point-of-care device capable of metagenomic sequencing through a microfluidic cartridge interface. You will take a hands-on role in developing and refining experimental rigs used to test cartridge-based modules, integrating actuators, sensors and thermal systems to manipulate fluids at the microscale. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative healthcare technology with real-world impact. This role offers scope to shape the mechanical architecture of a novel diagnostic platform and to grow within a multi-disciplinary environment.  **Key Responsibilities:** - Design, build, modify and iterate prototype rigs in the laboratory to test and validate cartridge-based modules. - Design and implement mechanical integration of actuators, sensors, heaters and fluidic interfaces into experimental platforms. - Develop and refine docking mechanisms between cartridge and instrument. - Select and integrate off-the-shelf components (motors, syringe pumps, load cells, pressure sensors, heaters, drivers). - Assemble, wire and commission prototype systems in the lab, including rapid reconfiguration as designs evolve. - Work closely with electronics and firmware engineers to integrate hardware and control systems. - Identify mechanical, thermal and integration failure modes through hands-on troubleshooting and testing. - Conduct structured experimental testing of rigs and document performance improvements. - Contribute to improving repeatability, robustness and ease-of-use of prototype systems. - Support design reviews with practical insights from lab testing. - Maintain clear documentation of rig configurations, changes and experimental results. ## Requirements **Knowledge, Skills and Experience:** - Experience in mechatronics, automation, robotics, scientific instrumentation or related applied engineering fields (industry or advanced academic experience considered). - Demonstrated experience designing and building physical prototypes (not just CAD design). - Strong CAD skills (e.g. SolidWorks, Fusion 360 or equivalent) with experience taking designs through to physical builds. - Experience designing and mechanically integrating actuators (e.g. stepper/servo motors, linear drives, syringe systems) into working systems. - Experience integrating sensors (pressure, force, temperature, flow). - Practical understanding of tolerance stack-up and mechanical fit. - Comfortable working in a lab environment (assembly, wiring, debugging). - Experience identifying and resolving mechanical and integration issues, both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. - Practical experience selecting, wiring and configuring motor drivers and low-voltage power systems for electro-mechanical assemblies. - Ability to work collaboratively with firmware and electronics engineers. - Structured and methodical approach to experimental testing. - Comfortable working in an evolving R&D environment, adapting designs thoughtfully as requirements develop. **We recognise that candidates may not meet every listed criterion. If your experience aligns with most of the requirements and you are motivated by the mission, we encourage you to apply.** **Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:** - Experience with vibration systems or high-frequency mechanical actuation (e.g. shakers, mixers, centrifuges). - Experience designing systems involving fluid handling or fluid-mechanical integration. - Familiarity with thermal systems (heaters, Peltier elements, thermal contact design). - Experience working in life sciences, medical device or laboratory instrumentation. - Basic embedded programming or scripting experience (e.g. Python for test automation). - Experience with hardware safety interlocks and basic risk awareness. - Awareness of contamination control considerations in laboratory equipment. - Experience contributing to early-stage product development (concept → prototype → refinement). - Experience working in multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electronics, firmware, scientists). **Key Attributes:** - Team-oriented and collaborative, comfortable working closely with firmware, electronics and scientific multidisciplinary teams. - Excellent communicator, able to explain complex technical ideas clearly. - Comfortable translating design concepts into physical systems, iterating through structured experimental testing in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues. - Creative and methodical problem-solver, comfortable iterating experimentally within a collaborative R&D setting. - Detail-focused and organised, ensuring high standards across all project deliverables. - Able to prioritise effectively and manage multiple workstreams in coordination with the wider team. ## Benefits **Our Benefits:** - Salary: competitive + travel allowance + bonus - Enhanced holiday pay - Pension - Life Assurance - Income Protection - Private Medical Insurance - Hospital Cash Plan - Therapy Services - Perk Box - Electric Car Scheme **Working Together – What It Involves:** - You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. - You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate). ## Apply [Apply at Ellison Institute of Technology](https://apply.workable.com/ellison-institute-of-technology/j/11A70E2633/apply) --- Powered by [Workable](https://www.workable.com)