Joining an already successful, collaborative and Costa Innovation team, your role will be the Design Engineer (mechatronics) Innovation. The Design Engineer (Mechatronics / Electromechanical) is responsible for bringing ideas from initial idea to functional proof of concepts. You will work with the wider innovation team & contribute to the innovation pipeline to enhance the company’s technical advantage in its new products.

An integral part of the innovation team, you will create new to world solutions that are differentiated and superior. Working in frontend innovation, you will need a bias for action and enjoy working on wide, varied, design & engineering challenges.

A bit about us...

At the heart of Costa Coffee are our values; we believe in Passion, Warmth, Trust and Courage. We are the No 1 coffee brand in the UK and as part of the Coca-Cola Company, we’re on a journey to be the worlds most loved coffee brand, we don’t settle for mediocre. We’ve come a long way from the Costa brothers first roastery in 1971, today we are a total coffee company that delivers amazing coffee to our consumers all over the globe. Along with our much-loved stores, this includes our Express machines, Ready to Drink products, and a long list of friends and partnerships. Costa are proud of our collaborative and inclusive workforce, who continually unlock new growth and innovation.

Here at Costa Express we have over 10,000 machines worldwide. Through our world leading innovation, we have revolutionised the coffee-on-the-go market. We aim to be trend setters, who exceed customer expectations. In a fun and friendly environment, our DNA is to challenge ourselves and be passionate about our legacy.

A bit about the role...

In role you will make sure concepts are feasible and will be instrumental to bringing these concepts from initial eureka moment (inception) to functioning proof of concept demonstrators. An ideal candidate would have a breadth of engineering skills and interests, and an appreciation of systems level engineering. You will push the boundaries of design and engineering to create new consumer loved products, features & functionality. You will work closely with both internal and external resource and contribute solutions to engineering challenges across the function. Whilst also leading projects and relationships with external partners.

The ideal candidate will enjoy both practical and theoretical design and engineering, you will be hands on and accustomed to using all typical industry tools to create functional demonstrators.

Working as part of the innovation team, you will be responsible for building & developing the proof of principal demonstrators for concepts conceived.

Use Engineering prowess to propose solutions not envisaged by other stakeholders.

Creative problem solver will challenge assumptions and bring the ability to adapt or generate imaginative and innovative ideas / solutions to technical challenges.

Bias for action – works both cross functionally & individually, with palpable energy.

Work at pace to ideate, screen, iterate, demonstrate (where needed) multiple competing mechanical & electronic (mechatronics) solutions to problems.

Design sensing solutions and attachments for mechanical & robot systems

Design and prototyping of physical components (using 3D CAD & prototyping)

System integration and testing (Software/Hardware) including design of experiments.

Conduct &/or define lab-based testing for component and system characterisation and validation – creating the supporting technical documentation to validate concepts.

Develop solutions that can scale – from prototype to volume.

Collaborate with the wider Costa teams & stakeholders & manage relationships with external supplier & partners to deliver solutions.

Support engineering development plans and report to technical management on risks, timescales, and technical issues.

A bit about you…

A degree in robotics / mechatronics / mechanical engineering (with electronics knowledge) or Industrial Design / Product Design (with electronics knowledge) or equivalent

Experience working in internal engineering / design team.

Proven experience developing ideas from initial eureka moment to proof of concept.

Must provide a means to assess past work (e.g., portfolio or documents to support application).

Demonstrate a creative & agile mind & rational approach to reasoning & problem solving

Broad understanding of engineering fundamentals, principles & mechanics.

Demonstrable experience application of electronics & control systems (both hardware & software).

A broad understanding of materials processes & manufacturing.

Proficiency in one or more programming languages e.g., C, Python or equivalent.

Proficient use of industry tools to prototype (e.g., 3D CAD) test, validate concepts.

Team player contributes to a culture of collaboration.

Effective communicator & able to present technical work with clarity.

Presenting to diverse stake holders

Demonstrable experience application of electronics & control systems (both hardware & software) e.g., robotic systems.

Knowledge of regulations regarding handling of water & food.

Some exposure to definition and interpretation of geometric dimensioning & tolerancing

Analogue electronics

Control systems including Sensors and feedback loops.

Experience in laboratory-based testing & validation

Experience in FMCG or food & beverage industries.

What we can offer...  

We’re on an exceptional adventure and can offer a truly purpose led career with flexibility to suit your personal needs. In addition, you will benefit from the below:

BUPA Healthcare

Costa Pension Scheme

Generous Pension Scheme

Annual Bonus Scheme

25% staff discount

25 days Holidays

Location: Loudwater / Flexible at this time

At Costa Coffee we celebrate Inclusion and Equality; we believe everyone should bring their true self to work. We advocate collaboration and transparency and embrace differences in all that we do.