Lead Robotics Engineer

Cutting Edge Music Tech - On-Demand Vinyl Records

We are seeking a Lead Robotics Engineer to help us redefine the physical and digital music industry. elasticStage is building the world’s first on-demand vinyl and CD platform, unlocking physical music for the Digital Creator era. By 2030, there will be over 250 million music creators globally, most locked out of physical formats due to high minimum runs and operational complexity. elasticStage solves this through patented on-demand vinyl and CD manufacturing technology, powering a free-to-use platform where creators can produce and sell physical releases worldwide with no upfront costs or minimum quantities.
And we are scaling fast:

• 100,000+ creators are using the product within our first year of commercialisation.
• Aiming for 20X growth by 2027.
• Partnerships with SoundCloud and Amuse (with more major partners to come!).
• Shipped to 79 countries.
• 4.7★ on Trustpilot and Google.
• Recently raised a new funding, bringing the total capital raised to £30M.
• Just moved to new office in Kings Cross.

We are seeking a Lead Robotics Engineer to play a critical role in scaling and advancing our proprietary on-demand vinyl production technology.

This is a key leadership position within our R&D team, responsible for driving the technical direction, architecture, and delivery of robotics and automation systems across our production environment. You will combine deep technical expertise with strong project ownership, ensuring systems are robust, scalable, and production-ready.

You will work closely with the CTO and cross-functional teams to translate ambitious ideas into reliable, high-performing systems, while mentoring engineers and elevating the overall technical capability of the team.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, takes ownership of complex challenges, and is motivated to build and lead high-impact engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical direction of robotics and automation systems across R&D and production.
• Lead the design, architecture, and integration of complex robotic and mechatronic systems.
• Comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level - you can whiteboard an architecture in the morning and debug a system integration issue in the afternoon.
• Drive end-to-end project delivery, ensuring timelines, quality, and performance standards are met.
• Act as the technical authority for robotics, making key design and implementation decisions.
• Identify and implement improvements to system reliability, scalability, and efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with the CTO and leadership team on roadmap and technical strategy.
• Lead and mentor robotics engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and accountability.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, best practices, and documentation processes.
• Oversee system testing, validation, and commissioning in production environments.
• Troubleshoot complex, cross-disciplinary issues across software, hardware, and systems.
• Support hiring and technical evaluation of new team members.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 7-10+ years of experience in robotics, automation, or mechatronic systems.
• Proven experience in a technical leadership or lead engineer role.
• Strong experience with system architecture and full lifecycle delivery of robotics systems.
• Proficiency in Python and C++.
• Strong hands-on experience integrating robotic hardware and software systems.
• Solid understanding of control systems, motion planning, and system integration.
• Experience working in production or industrial environments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to operate in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to align technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with scaling automation systems across multiple sites.
• Knowledge of PLC systems and industrial automation standards.
• Experience with vision systems and perception.
• Mechanical design or CAD experience.
• Experience in the semiconductor industry, wafer handling systems.
• Experience in startup or high-growth environments.
• Experience with robotics frameworks (e.g., ROS/ROS2, MoveIt!).

What We Offer 

• Industry-Leading Salary Package: Enjoy a highly competitive salary package that rewards your expertise and hard work.
• Generous Paid Holiday: Take advantage of 25 days of paid holiday to relax and recharge.
• Comprehensive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension scheme.
• Cutting-Edge Tech Office Environment: Work in a modern, tech-driven office environment equipped with the latest tools and technology.
• Free Snacks and Beverages: Enjoy free snacks and beverages to keep you energised throughout the day.
• Medical Insurance: Protect yourself with our comprehensive medical insurance plan.

Work Location 

• This is a 5-day-per-week on-site role working closely with teams at our production sites, primarily at Elstree but also potentially including other future locations as the company grows.