Founding Electrical Engineer

About us

Please read the information in this job post thoroughly to understand exactly what is expected of potential candidates.

• Mendea is an embryonic neurotechnology startup based in the UK.
• Our mission is to build a safe and effective means to improve brain function for as many people as possible, using non-invasive ultrasound stimulation technology.
• We aim to dramatically improve outcomes for a range of neurological disorders, from depression to addiction. In time, we aim to help anyone improve their cognitive state, through consistent elevation of mental wellbeing and performance.
• We recently received backing from Zinc VC, a London venture capital firm supporting radical technological solutions created by mission-led startups.
• Zinc are backing our vision to build a versatile, platform technology to improve brain health for as many people as possible.
• We joined Zinc's incubator programme in Summer 2024. Our first steps are to expand our team, build prototypes, and validate our long-term roadmap.

The Opportunity

• We're seeking a visionary Founding Engineer to help build a cutting-edge neurotechnology company from the ground up.
• As a founding engineer, you will join a team of 3 other co-founders to play a leading role in building the company from its earliest stages.
• Our first goal is to build a prototype neuromodulation device, translating our team's published science. We're looking for someone who's excited to work hands-on to build the prototype, and ultimately to lead the engineering team.

What you'll do

• Work closely with our head engineer to go from prototype to MVP as fast as possible. This will be a simple device that incorporates one or two ultrasound transducers into a wearable headset. Beyond this, you will:
• Lead the engineering aspects of technology and hardware development at Mendea
• Design and test device electronic architecture
• Assist in development of ultrasound stimulation protocols
• Contribute to intellectual property development and patent applications
• Create and maintain documentation including specifications, schematics, and design justification
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to combine electrical, software and neuroscience components
• Engage with external partners such as manufacturers and regulatory bodies
• Expand the engineering team by sourcing, interviewing and closing new members
• Help lay the foundations of the engineering team from a technical and cultural standpoint
• Evangelise the team, the product and the company

What we're looking for - essentials

• Master's or PhD in a relevant field such as electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or neuroscience
• 5+ years of industry experience in electrical engineering, preferably in medical devices, wearables, or neurotechnology
• Proven track record of bringing complex, innovative products to market
• Expertise in circuit design, especially low-power, high-precision systems
• Strong background in embedded systems design and firmware development
• Experience developing FDA/MDR Class II or III medical devices

What we're looking for - ideal experience

• Proficiency in signal processing techniques
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and building an engineering team
• Competency in programming languages, ideally C++ or Python
• Knowledge of QMS and relevant standards including ISO 13485 and IEC 60601
• Experience with ultrasound technology is highly desirable but not essential

About you

• Ready to commit full-time as soon as possible to a zero-to-one role. You'll be joining an embryonic company to build it from the ground up by skill, sweat and persistence
• Extremely ambitious, energised by solving technical challenges for a vision you believe in
• Thrive in conditions that demand speed and collaboration under pressure
• Able to wear multiple hats as a founding team member
• Value ownership and accountability for your work
• Highly resilient and determined
• Excellent communication skills
• Instinctively take initiative when faced with ambiguity or resource constraints
• Passionate about pushing the boundaries of neurotechnology

What we're offering

• Join a passionate, mission-led team which includes experts from Oxford University and Imperial college, who are world leaders in the neuroscience and engineering of neuromodulation.
• Take a leading role in not just engineering but the future direction and strategy of the company. If the role works out, we'd love the candidate to become CTO or at minimum VPE.
• Founding equity, and a monthly stipend until we pitch at investment committee (Q4 2024)
• Access to Zinc VC's extensive support and network. This includes executive coaching, access to networks of investors and fellows (e.g. experts from Meta, Google, etc), and support from a designated venture partner.
• Access to a central London office, with meeting and workspace alongside other impact-driven startups. Office facilities include a gym, bike storage, changing facilities, and roof terrace.
• Shape the global frontiers of neurotechnology and make a lasting impact on human potential.
• Work on the most exciting areas at the intersection of neuroscience and engineering. Areas we're excited to work on include:
• Radical improvements to existing treatments for neurological conditions including depression and addiction
• Closed-loop brain stimulation
• Offline neuromodulation effects
• Complementing ultrasound with other neuromodulation technologies (e.g. priming / spatial focality with TMS)

How to apply:

• Send a CV / Resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
• If we decide to proceed your application we will reach out to arrange a video call with our CEO, followed by a further interview, ideally in person, with our lead engineer either in Oxford or in London.