Mechanical Design Engineer (m/f/x)

Our Mission

At Circus (Xetra: CA1), headquartered in Munich, we are pioneering global developments in on-demand autonomous food production. Everything from creation to production and operation – enabled by seamlessly integrated cutting-edge robotics and transformative AI technology.

Our foundation rests in the extensive developments of groundbreaking robotics driven by artificial intelligence, previously the missing link in achieving true autonomous food automation. This is the moment for a new status quo: Just as autonomous driving will disrupt how we build cities, organize our days, and live our lives, so will we shift our whole reality around food.

Our Team is backing a paradigm shift in one of humanity’s most important sectors with the sharpest minds in Robotics, AI, Engineering and Culinary, collaborating closely with industry-leading partners to revolutionize every aspect of the food service experience.

Join us as we forge ahead, crafting a future where the art of cooking and the science of technology converge to create a world that thinks differently about food than it has for thousands of years – a world where food means something new.

About the Role

Design the mechanical modules of the next generations of our robotic kitchens and take them from first sketch to serial production. You will own entire modules and subsystems, from concept through prototyping and validation to release, and see your designs run in real commercial kitchens. You will work across Robotics, Electrical, Software, Culinary and Operations, and help shape how we engineer as we move from innovation to commercial scale.

Your Daily Business

• Own one or more modules end to end, from early concepts and prototypes through validation and release.
• Design, test and release mechanical components and subsystems for our robotic kitchen.
• Drive DFM with suppliers and partners and manage the industrialization of your parts and assemblies.
• Work with Robotics, Electrical, Culinary, Production and Operations to deliver robust designs that scale.
• Improve existing modules for performance, manufacturability and cost.
• Write technical documentation, test plans and risk assessments, including FMEA and operability analysis.
• Help define our internal engineering standards and development processes.

Base Qualifications

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 2–5 years designing mechanical systems and assemblies for complex mechatronic products, ideally for serial production.
• Strong parametric CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred) and the ability to produce manufacturing-ready technical drawings.
• Hands-on knowledge of manufacturing processes such as sheet metal, welding, 3D printing, injection molding and casting.
• A proven track record in prototyping, testing and validating mechanical systems, in both product innovation and production scaling.
• An AI-native way of working: AI tools are a natural part of your daily work, from exploring design concepts and running analyses to writing documentation.
• Familiarity with relevant norms, compliance standards and safety/risk analysis.
• A structured, solution-driven and entrepreneurial way of working, plus excellent English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with flow simulation and optimization of HVLS fans, axial fans, coolers, exhausts and air circulators.
• Experience in food-tech or commercial hardware.
• Kinematic design experience.
• German language skills.

Our Offer

• Competitive Compensation: Competitive compensation package with stock option opportunities for full-time employees.
• Work-Life Balance: Regular team events, hybrid work setup, 2 months/year remote work (Worcation), unlimited vacation days, and a corporate pension plan.
• Personal Development: Personal budget for training, in-house trainings, and growth opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
• Mobility: Monthly budget for mobility or other expenses, a subsidized Dance Mobility Subscription for E-Bike/E-Moped, and bike leasing via JobRad.
• Well-Being: Discounted Urban Sports Club membership and Wellhub for a variety of well-being offerings.