Senior Design Engineer

About KOKO Networks

KOKO Networks is a venture-backed climate technology company with a team of 1,000+ staff across East Africa, India, and the United Kingdom. Our mission is to imagine and deliver technology that improves life in the world's fastest growing markets. Our core lines of business are: KOKO Fuel, a clean, affordable, and renewable bioethanol household cooking solution delivered via a network of smart fuel ATMs and leveraging existing downstream liquid fuels infrastructure; and KOKO Climate, which retails the certified emissions reductions that are generated by transitioning households from deforestation-based charcoal and other dirty fuels to KOKO Fuel. In 2021, KOKO was selected as the world's leading emerging markets climate technology solution by the Financial Times and the IFC, and, in 2022, KOKO received the Keeling Curve Prize for climate impact.

• As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in our Hardware Engineering team, you will lead the mechanical design and development of new hardware products from concept to production. You'll create 3D CAD models and 2D drawings using SolidWorks, build and test prototypes, and facilitate manufacturing transitions. Collaboration with QA, Manufacturing, Electronics, and Sourcing teams is essential to ensure optimal product performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.

• As a Sr. Design Engineer, you will lead the end-to-end mechanical design and development of KOKO's next-generation consumer hardware. This includes developing breakthrough ideas and novel designs that address critical challenges in efficiency, durability, and cost.
• You will be responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and iterating on prototypes, utilizing your expertise in materials and manufacturing processes to develop practical solutions that leverage innovation.
• You will conduct detailed engineering calculations and advanced computer simulations (like CFD and FEA) to validate and optimize your designs, ensuring they meet rigorous performance standards.
• You will serve as a technical lead, guiding the product from initial concept through to mass production, working closely with cross-functional teams of researchers and electronics engineers to ensure a smooth transition from design to manufacturing.
• Your role will involve continuous improvement and innovation, as you research new technologies and conduct tests to refine and perfect the consumer hardware design.

• Bachelor of Engineering / Master of Engineering - Mechanical / Mechatronics
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in design engineering of mechanical products, with a strong track record of developing and delivering hardware product design through to production.
• Significant experience with materials, particularly steel sheet metal and plastics, and a deep understanding of mass and batch manufacturing processes for general engineering parts.
• Knowledge of National & International standards/guidelines for various mechanical products.
• Experience in prototyping processes for both metals and plastics.
• Ability to conceptualize and detail ideas using 3D CAD tools (like Solidworks) and 2D sketches.
• Well-developed skills in designing for testability, reliability, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Experience in working within cross-functional teams, particularly with researchers and electronics engineers.

• A strong communicator, both written and verbal.

• Nice to Haves

• Past experience in engineering consumer hardware products, demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges and requirements of products designed for end-users.

• Knowledge of heat transfer and thermodynamics which is crucial for optimizing the thermal performance of our consumer hardware.

• We believe that our people are critical for our ambitious growth plans in Kenya and beyond. We want to build an organization where people thrive, feel included, grow professionally, and enjoy having a high impact through their work.

• Competitive salary plus a quarterly cash bonus

• Annual compensation reviews - we reward great work
• Discounted health insurance with no-cost financing for you and your dependents (in Kenya)
• 21 days of annual leave plus public holidays plus examination leave
• Ongoing investment in you and your skills, incl. full access to over 5,000 online courses
• The right equipment for the job - a choice of MacBook, Windows, or Linux laptop