Mobius is an early stage social business working to enable mobility across Africa by transforming its automotive market. We recognise that appropriate transport is a key enabler to socio-economic development in deprived communities across the developing world and aim to unlock this vast potential by designing, manufacturing and selling a new vehicle for Africa, starting in Kenya.
Description
We are seeking a minimum two year commitment from an exceptional early career mechanical engineer to lead the engineering, build and test of a new vehicle that will form the basis of our main product offering into the African market – a truly unique opportunity to create impact on a global scale. The role will require a close working relationship with the venture's Design Engineer, Automotive Designer, Cost Engineer, Production Engineer as well as the local Kenyan mechanics and welders on the team. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
Technical Engineering
- Engineer prototype vehicle framework and select off-the-shelf systems collaboratively with Design Engineer and Cost Engineer, using computer-aided design packages; pay close attention to issues of safety, reliability, economy, aesthetics and functionality. Maintain feasibility of
- Engineering approach for low volume production tooling and limited in-country resources. For example, steel stamping presses will not be available at initial production.
- Determine the most suitable materials for space frame fabrication as well as the most appropriate systems to integrate within the framework (standard, off-the-shelf systems) collaboratively with the Design Engineer and Cost Engineer.
- Review and revise engineering and/or production processes in response to feedback from colleagues, safety concerns, quality issues, loading requirements etc.
- Advise and assist team of local Kenyan mechanics and welders on the prototype vehicle build and general workplace best practices (e.g. equipment safety standards).
- Verify product feasibility of all welding processes and implementing programs to improve overall weld performance (e.g. conduct weld pry testing and weld teardowns).
- Apply mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical principles and rigor to resolve engineering problems with appropriate solutions.
- Ensure high quality standards throughout the vehicle build; develop test procedures and conduct tests using software packages and physical testing methods.
- Utilise in-country equipment and materials and adapt approach to the low-tech resources available. For example a manual pressurised pipe bender versus computerised pipe bender.
- Evaluate and ensure manufacturability, buildability, and integration with Design Engineer, Cost Engineer, Production Engineer and future Production Planners.
- Identify, create solutions, and resolve technical design conflicts collaboratively with Design Engineer and Cost Engineer.
Project Management
- Lead and facilitate engineering review sessions; revise approach with stakeholder feedback.
- Take ownership of projects; plan milestones, timelines, budgets, resources and identify potential risks to deliver engineering aspects within agreed completion dates.
- Be proactive regarding task completion and periodically advise wider team on project status, timing, resources, issues, and ability to deliver on-time with excellence.
- Ensure adherence and compliance to general automotive industry engineering standards and best practices; maintain structured and versioned data outputs daily and backup data weekly.
- Work as an active member of the team, ensure effective communication between colleagues and positively contribute regularly to meetings and briefings.
Qualifications
An ideal candidate should combine outstanding technical skills in design and engineering with excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team. They should be rigorous, pragmatic and on-the-ground solution focussed – not overly academic.
Required
- Bachelor degree (minimum) in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering or similar
- 3.4 GPA or higher from a top university worldwide
- 1-2 years of automotive-related experience, preferably on a vehicle build project
- Ability to read and write design and manufacturing drawings
- Proficiency in SolidWorks, CATIA or AutoCAD
- Welding experience and knowledge of weld quality controls
- Passion for prototype development and a pragmatic attitude
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic working environment and work within a diverse team
- Extreme patience and a good sense of humour
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with others
- High level of analytical and problem solving skills
- Ability to self manage; taking ownership of projects: budgeting, work planning, resource management and reporting
- A start-up personality; entrepreneurial, ambitious, independent, systematic attention to detail, structured thinker, goal-oriented, flexible and able to deal well with setbacks
Desired
- Masters degree (or higher) in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering or similar
- 2-5 years of automotive-related experience, preferably on a vehicle build project
- Detailed understanding of automotive exteriors, interiors, manufacturing and operations
- Proficiency in COSMOS
- Hands-on experience with pipe bending and notching
- Involvement in a dune-buggy/sandrail build specifically
- Fluency in Kiswahili (the national language of Kenya)
