Project Background
The electricity industry still runs on a familiar model: generation, transmission, and supply through the National Grid. That structure has concentrated power among a small number of incumbents with the capital, influence, and incentives to protect the system rather than reinvent it. As a result, most innovation improves the existing grid instead of challenging it.
The outcome is a system that is expensive, rigid, and increasingly misaligned with the needs of households and businesses. Deregulation and privatisation have often worsened this, creating markets that prioritise investor returns over public outcomes. The burden falls hardest on those least able to absorb high and volatile energy costs.
The issue is not price alone. A grid connection does not guarantee meaningful access. Real access means electricity that is available, affordable, and reliable, yet that standard is still not consistently met.
We want to build a new kind of electric generator for a high-pain customer segment the current system underserves: a fundamentally better product and business model that can reshape how electricity is generated, delivered, and used.
Project Requirements
An experienced, hands-on mechanical engineer to develop a minimum proof-of-concept prototype for a new type of electric generator.
This is an early-stage engineering programme that is focused on proving that the core scientific, mechanical, and system-level principles are technically credible. This phase is not for a finished commercial machine or full production-ready packaging. It is for a serious proof-of-concept that demonstrates the essential operating principles in a practical, technically defensible way.
Budget
This is a paid freelance / contract role (4-6 month) for the proof-of-concept phase, with a current prototype-phase 1 budget of £15,000.
Intellectual Property
The appointed mechanical engineer will be required before starting work and receiving the brief, to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and an agreement confirming that all intellectual property, designs, drawings, documents, prototypes, and other work produced on behalf and in connection with the project are assigned to and owned by our company.
Candidate Profile/ Requirements
The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to translate complex technical problems into clear, actionable priorities, spotting the real technical risks early, and make smart prototyping decisions under tight budget and time constraints. The role requires someone who can take ownership of a challenging concept and drive it forward with creativity, realism, and sound engineering judgment. The right person will show strong evidence of:
· Creative Problem Solving
· Open-Mindedness
· Resilience
· Experimental Courage
· Engineering Judgment
Safety and engineering standards
A strong safety mindset, with familiarity with manufacturing and electrical safety thinking is essential for this role.
Ideal candidate profile
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
· real prototype and mechanism development experience
· practical as well as inventive thinking
· explaining trade-offs clearly
· being not afraid to test ideas and learn from failure
· care about building something meaningful, not just billing hours
Application Instructions
Interested candidates are requested to submit the following to this email address:
hello@goldengoosegenerator.com
1. A brief summary explaining your interest in this specific project (400 words max)
2. A copy of your CV
Please also answer these two questions:
3. Tell me about a time you solved a difficult mechanical problem in an unexpected but practical way. (400 words max)
4. Describe a challenging mechanical problem you solved using an unexpected but practical approach? (400 words max)
5. Detail a prototype, subsystem, or mechanism that failed during development. What were the key technical learnings, and what specific actions were taken next? (400 words max)
We are committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity, where candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability. We particularly encourage applications from, women of all backgrounds, minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+; and disabled people.