Lab & Prototyping Engineer
Job Title: Lab & Prototyping Engineer
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Company: Microscale Embedded Ltd.
Type: Full-Time
About Microscale
Microscale is an innovation-focused electronics company helping African builders go from idea to product. Our Lab and Prototyping Service supports entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers by providing rapid prototyping, PCB fabrication and assembly, and 3D printing for enclosures and mechanical parts.
Role Summary
We are seeking a hands-on, technically versatile Lab & Prototyping Engineer to head our prototyping facility. You will lead the delivery of our PCB fabrication and 3D printing services, maintain the lab’s technical equipment, and support clients with design, testing, and fabrication.
This is both a technical and customer-facing role. You’ll manage day-to-day lab operations, work on client projects, and support a small team of interns and technicians. If you're passionate about hardware, love building things, and are excited about enabling product development in Africa, we’d love to meet you.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all operations of the Lab & Prototyping Service.
- Handle PCB design reviews, fabrication (in-house or outsourced), assembly (SMD and THT), and quality checks.
- Operate, maintain, and calibrate lab equipment including PCB milling machines, soldering stations, reflow ovens, 3D printers (FDM), and curing units.
- Review 3D models and print functional enclosures and mechanical components with appropriate tolerances.
- Provide technical support to customers on PCB layout, DFM/DFT, and design-for-3D-printing.
- Supervise interns, train junior staff, and support capacity-building efforts.
- Ensure timely delivery of jobs, manage inventory, and coordinate with suppliers.
- Maintain technical documentation and contribute to process improvements.
Requirements
- Degree in Electrical/Electronic, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering.
- At least 3 years of practical experience with PCB design (KiCad, Altium, or similar).
- Skilled in soldering (manual and reflow), circuit debugging, and microcontroller prototyping.
- Proficient in CAD modeling (FreeCAD, Fusion 360, etc.) and 3D printing workflows.
- Familiar with basic mechanical design principles (clearances, tolerances, fit types).
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Customer-oriented mindset with problem-solving abilities.
Desirable
- Experience working in or managing a hardware lab.
- Familiarity with local electronics and mechanical parts sourcing in Nigeria.
- Comfortable scripting or automating tasks (e.g. Python, OctoPrint APIs).
- Interest in mentoring others and building a community of builders.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to shape the future of hardware development in Africa.
- Access to modern prototyping tools and a collaborative work environment.
- Room for professional growth and experimentation.
- Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
To apply, please send your CV and a short note about a hardware project you've worked on to: ahmad@microscale.net