Table of Contents
Summer Intern – Product Engineering — CQuence Robotics Lab Automation & Robotics Development. Source: kynny / Getty Images
About Us
CQuence Robotics is an innovative biotech and robotics startup focused on transforming laboratory workflows through automated technological solutions. Our core innovation, Cell Minder, is a compact, high-precision robotics platform engineered to automate biological assays, cell culture processes, and complex laboratory experimentation.
Website Link: https://www.c-quence.co.uk/
By bridging the gap between mechanical engineering, software, and life sciences, CQuence Robotics empowers researchers to achieve higher repeatability, speed, and accuracy in modern biotechnology labs.
Job Overview & Key Responsibilities
As a Summer Engineering Intern, you will play a hands-on role in designing, prototyping, testing, and refining physical components for early-stage Cell Minder robotic platforms. Guided by Chartered Engineer Dr. Stephen Starkie, you will collaborate across scientific, electronic, and software disciplines to build reliable, real-world hardware solutions.
Rapid Prototyping & CAD Design Iteration. Source: primeimages / Getty Images
Key Responsibilities
- CAD & Rapid Prototyping: Model custom mechanical components using CAD software and fabricate early prototypes using 3D printing and workshop tools.
- External Manufacturing Specs: Define technical specifications and tolerances for externally machined, turned, or fabricated metal and plastic components.
- Engineering Analysis: Utilize Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and mechanical simulation tools to validate physical designs before physical fabrication.
- Hardware Integration: Integrate mechanical housings, mounts, and mechanisms with PCBs, sensors, actuators, and software-controlled test rigs.
- Bench Testing & Documentation: Conduct empirical bench testing, iterate physical designs based on test data, and log all parts, assemblies, and suppliers inside ERPNext.
Requirements & Desired Qualifications
- Academic Level: Post-A-Level student or early undergraduate intending to study or currently studying Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Mechatronics, or Robotics.
- Academic Background: Strong A-Level foundation with Maths and Physics required; Product Design, Engineering, Chemistry, or Biology subjects are highly desirable.
- Technical Skills: Practical experience with CAD software, workshop tools, 3D printing, or hands-on mechanical building projects.
- Engineering Mindset: Strong attention to mechanical tolerances, component reliability, ease of assembly, and user-centric design.
- Work Authorization: Must hold valid legal right to work in the UK.
Job Role Comparison Table
| Feature / Aspect | University Lab Assistant | Summer Engineering Intern (CQuence) | Junior Mechanical Engineer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Routine lab maintenance & sample prep | Hands-on CAD modeling, 3D printing & hardware testing | End-to-end product architecture & manufacturing oversight |
| Project Stage | Academic research support | Early-stage commercial prototype development (Cell Minder) | Full commercial production & design lifecycle |
| Mentorship Level | Basic academic supervision | Direct mentorship by Chartered Engineer (Dr. Stephen Starkie) | Peer collaboration & independent task delivery |
| Duration & Hours | Term-time / Casual | 4–8 Weeks (Full-time or part-time by agreement) | Permanent full-time employment |
Key Benefits of This Role
- Direct Mentorship: Learn directly under Dr. Stephen Starkie, CEng, gaining invaluable industrial engineering guidance and professional networking opportunities.
- Real-World Prototype Experience: See your CAD designs manufactured, assembled, and deployed on functional robotics platforms rather than purely theoretical exercises.
- Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Work side-by-side with software developers, electronics engineers, and biological scientists in an agile startup setting.
- Systems Mastery: Gain practical knowledge in modern product development pipelines, including ERP Next management, FEA analysis, and Design for Assembly (DFA).
- Flexible Summer Schedule: Flexible 4–8 week placement offering full-time or part-time arrangements suited to university breaks.
How to Prepare a CV for This Position
- Feature Academic Prerequisites Prominently: Detail your A-Level subjects and grades (specifically Maths and Physics) near the top of your CV alongside your current or planned university degree.
- Showcase Personal or Academic Build Projects: Detail any hands-on CAD models, 3D printing projects, robotics clubs, FIRST/VEX competitions, or workshop builds you have completed.
- List Software & Hardware Competencies: Mention specific CAD packages (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor), FEA tools, 3D printer slicing tools, and basic workshop equipment skills.
- Demonstrate Interdisciplinary Curiosity: Highlight any interest in biology, chemistry, or automation to demonstrate readiness for a biotech lab environment.
Career Guide Tips for Growth
- Master Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Moving beyond 3D printing into specifying turned, milled, or sheet metal parts is a major milestone for student engineers; learn standard tolerance tables early.
- Document Your Iterations: Keep a detailed engineering notebook or digital portfolio recording why early prototypes failed and how you iterated them to success.
- Build a Public Portfolio: Save non-confidential renders, CAD models, and physical build photos to present on LinkedIn or personal websites for future graduate job applications.
How to Prepare for the Interview
- Prepare a Portfolio of Physical Projects: Bring 2–3 examples of physical mechanisms, CAD designs, or school/university projects you personally designed and built.
- Understand the Cell Minder Concept: Research lab automation platforms (like automated liquid handlers or microplate readers) to understand the mechanical constraints of handling delicate biological samples.
- Review Mechanical Fundamentals: Be ready to discuss fundamental concepts like stress/strain, tolerance stack-ups, material selection (e.g., aluminum vs. 3D-printed PLA/PETG), and basic fastener choices.
Interview Questions & Guidance
1. “Can you walk us through a physical design project you worked on, explaining a mechanical problem you encountered and how you solved it?”
How to answer: Structure your response around problem identification, engineering analysis, prototyping choices, and final testing results. Focus on what you learned during the iteration process.
2. “How do you decide whether a part should be 3D printed in-house or sent out for external CNC machining?”
How to answer: Explain the trade-offs: 3D printing offers fast, low-cost geometric freedom for early concept validation, while external CNC machining provides superior isotropic strength, tight tolerances, thermal stability, and professional surface finishes required for final production loads.
3. “What factors would you consider when designing a mechanical holder or arm that needs to interact safely with delicate biological samples?”
How to answer: Discuss key considerations such as precision positioning/repeatability, smooth acceleration curves to prevent liquid splashing, chemical compatibility of materials with lab reagents, ease of cleaning/sterilization, and fail-safe mechanical limits.
Salary Insight
- Pay Rate: £450 per week (based on a standard 37.5-hour workweek)
- Contract Duration: 4 to 8 weeks over the summer period
- Work Arrangement: Full-time or part-time by agreement (On-site / Hybrid in the South Cambridgeshire / Cambridge area).
How to Apply
To apply for the Summer Engineering Internship at CQuence Robotics:
- Direct Application: Submit your CV and a cover letter/project portfolio detailing your CAD experience and academic background to the hiring team.
- Physical Location: South Cambridgeshire / Cambridge area, United Kingdom.
Disclaimer
This summary and career preparation guide has been independently structured for educational and recruitment preparation purposes. CQuence Robotics retains all primary rights to its official job descriptions, project specifications, and selection decisions. Prospective candidates should verify exact location, shift flexibility, and contract terms directly during the formal application process.