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.

• Own mechanical design efforts from concept to production for new and existing products.
• Develop and maintain 3D CAD models and 2D engineering drawings using SolidWorks.
• Build and test functional prototypes using 3D printing, machining, and other rapid prototyping methods.
• Perform design validation through simulations, tolerance analysis, and physical testing.
• Support tooling design, jig/fixture development, and preparation for high-volume manufacturing.
• Select appropriate materials (metals and plastics) to ensure product safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with internal teams (QA, product management, software, electronics) to ensure end-to-end integration of product features.
• Work with external vendors to support tooling, fabrication, and production activities.
• Ensure complete and accurate documentation, including BOMs, revision-controlled drawings, and assembly guides.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and optimise designs across production cycles.
• Provide on-ground support for pilot builds, testing, and production ramp-up.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on product development experience, preferably in consumer or industrial hardware.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D modeling and 2D drafting.
• Strong understanding of design for manufacturing (DfM), including sheet metal, injection molding, machining, and welding processes.
• Experience in physical prototyping and iterative design validation.
• Familiarity with material selection and mechanical safety considerations.
• Excellent documentation skills with a focus on detail and version control.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for delivering high-quality, robust designs.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.

• Knowledge of Plastics Injection moulding parts design & manufacturing
• Experience in designing automated dispensing systems for liquids or solids.
• Working knowledge of electronics and electrical control systems integration.
• Exposure to the fuel distribution or clean energy industry.

• 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