YOUR MISSION

Do you want to join our rockstar team of innovators and make a REAL impact in the sustainability space?

At Circu Li-ion, we are pioneering the urban-mining revolution by delivering automated battery disassembly solutions that turn end-of-life batteries into high-value components and enable cleaner, safer, and more profitable circular processes. Our mission is to make battery recycling truly sustainable through smart automation and data-driven innovation. Join us and be part of a fast-growing team tackling one of the most critical environmental challenges of our time.

The role

We are now looking for a Principal Product Development Engineer  to join our Innovation team and help explore, validate, and develop new robotics-focused product opportunities that push the boundaries of automation, sensing, and intelligent systems. 

This role is designed for a visionary engineer and entrepreneur who thrives in ambiguity, builds fast, and thinks big — someone ready to transform bold ideas into scalable, sustainable technologies. 

Your responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new product concepts and market opportunities within robotics, automation, and smart manufacturing.
• Conduct exploratory research, feasibility studies, and user discovery to assess both technical and commercial potential.
• Lead hands-on prototyping of robotics and automation systems, algorithms, or integrations (mechanical, electrical, and/or software).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams – engineering, robotics and software, operations, business - to align solutions with company strategy.
• Develop technical roadmaps, architecture concepts, and go-to-market proposals for promising ideas.
• Present progress, insights, and recommendations to Circu Li-ion leadership and stakeholders.
• Build relationships with universities, startups, and industry partners to co-develop or test new approaches.
• Mentor internal teams and foster a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Potentially transition into leading a new product initiative or spin-off.

YOUR PROFILE

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in robotics development, automation systems, or AI-driven hardware/software integration.
• Proven entrepreneurial background - founding or leading a startup, developing prototypes, or driving early-stage tech initiatives.
• Strong technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:

- Robot motion planning and control systems

- Perception, computer vision, ML/AI

- Embedded systems and firmware development

- Mechanical design and mechatronics

- Human-robot interaction or simulation environments

• Ability to translate ambiguous ideas into testable prototypes.
• Excellent storytelling, communication, and presentation skills.
• Self-directed, resourceful, and business-savvy mindset.
• Strategic thinker with market-sensing and analytical instincts.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience bringing hardware products from concept to prototype or production.
• Familiarity with robotics safety standards, ROS/ROS2, Gazebo, Python/C++, or rapid prototyping tools.
• Prior exposure to venture development, fundraising, or investor relations.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and system integration constraints

WHY US?

• High degree of collaboration and autonomy while working with a group of highly skilled, committed and supportive peers
• Transparent culture where everyone of us is highly valued
• Development of your professional skills and knowledge by taking ownership of challenging tasks and responsibilities, supported by Leads and peers
• “Getting things done” attitude, and access to cutting edge technologies
• A guaranteed steep continuous learning curve from day one
• Equity Package
• Complementary Health Insurance