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Mechanical Engineer

Ampersand Energy
Full time
Apply by 14 December 2020

Job description

Recruitment for this position is part of a very special project called the Off-Grid Talent Initiative, run by Shortlist in partnership with UKAID and the Carbon Trust. If you are hired for the position, not only will you join your new company but you will also become a part of the OGTI Clean Energy Leaders’ Community. This includes mentorship, peer network support, online training and other exclusive resources, as well as follow up over the length of your contract. Apply today, begin a career in the renewable energy industry with your new company, and become a part of the OGTI Clean Energy Leaders.

Job Title: Mechanical Engineer

Department: Engineering

Reports to: Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job Purpose: Ampersand is seeking a mechanical engineer with experience designing and delivering solutions to tough technical challenges. A Mechanical Engineer at Ampersand will work with a team of engineers and designers to design and implement innovative solutions to optimize Ampersand’s batteries, vehicles, and swap infrastructure. 

Ampersand is committed to gender equality in the workplace. They have so far more than doubled their female representation in their workforce over the past 10 months, and continuing this growth remains a key goal for the company. 

With this in mind, Ampersand strongly encourages female applicants to apply.


Job Responsibilities:

An Ampersand Mechanical Engineer will hold the following responsibilities: 

Product design and engineering analysis:

  • Participating in all aspects of mechanical design and development of vehicle subsystems and charge station infrastructure. This includes brainstorming and low-resolution prototyping, CAD design, fabrication, testing and analyzing mechanical systems.
  • Fabrication of prototypes using power tools and welding equipment. 
  • Interacting with and learning from our customers, the moto-taxi drivers, and championing their needs. 
  • Engineering analysis of vehicle and battery systems including performance and efficiency analysis, FEA, lifecycle analysis, etc. 
  • Participating in the development of processes and procedures related to mechanical systems, such as manufacturing procedures, charge station procedures, maintenance procedures, etc. 
  • Regularly reporting to the supervisor. 
  • Working as a team and assisting others whenever needed, and communicating clearly and often. 


Desired Characteristics:

  • We are looking for a mechanical engineer with demonstrated industry experience. Candidates who possess the following are encouraged to apply.  
  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or similar engineering field. 
  • 1-2 years of relevant work experience. 
  • Experience with CAD and fluent in creating technical drawings. FEA, MATLAB, advanced Excel are a bonus. 
  • A team player who is comfortable collaborating across functions. 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication. 
  • This position is based in Kigali, Rwanda. Experience of living abroad is desirable, and experience with cross-cultural teams is preferred. 
  • Near-native English-speaking abilities, with strong verbal communication. 


Candidate Attributes:

  • You’re interested in clean energy and environmental impact (even without experience in it yet) You are a hands-on, proactive problem solver 
  • You’re comfortable thinking outside of the box 
  • You are excited to be a part of a dynamic team  
  • You enjoy having a focus on the customer and care deeply about the impact we make on their lives  
  • You are looking for an entrepreneurial company that values innovation and strong execution  
  • You value diversity and community in the workplace  


About Ampersand Energy

Ampersand is Africa’s emobility pioneer. Ampersand provides electric motorcycles and charging infrastructure (battery swap stations), uniquely tailored to serve half of Africa’s road fleet: Commercial motorcycle taxi and delivery drivers. Moto taxis are a primary means of public transport in African cities, and it is estimated that these drivers spend >$6Bn p.a. on gasoline in East Africa alone. Ampersand has developed an electric solution that is more powerful, fun to drive, and more cost-effective than the incumbent. Ampersand drivers routinely earn over 30% more income by going electric. 

The company started in Kigali, Rwanda and expanded into Nairobi, Kenya in 2022. Today it has over 2,000 e-motorcycles on the road and 36 battery swap stations across the two countries. Ampersand is leading the market in quality and affordable tech, customer traction, and operational systems. The Ampersand team consists of 300+ staff drawn from diverse

backgrounds and is working hard to see all 5 million taxi motorbikes in East Africa become electric by 2030. Ampersand is rapidly scaling its operations and is looking for innovative professionals who are passionate about clean energy and environmental impact to lead and contribute to our rapid growth. 

Ampersand is a company that values innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement. It seeks people who are proactive problem solvers to drive results. Ampersand promotes leadership within the organization and is a place where you can grow your career as you work with some of the brightest and hard-working individuals in East Africa. 

Our Values 

  • Customer-centric Everyday: We prioritize our customers daily, tailoring solutions to exceed expectations. 
  • Challenge The Status Quo Through Innovation: Our dedicated teams constantly challenge the status quo, driving innovation to enhance customer experiences and deliver solutions that go beyond expectations 
  • Love Solving Problems Together: Internal collaboration is our approach; we thrive on solving challenges alongside our customers. 
  • Stay Agile: We stay agile to swiftly meet dynamic customer needs and adapt to a changing landscape. 
  • Driven By People And Planet: Beyond business, we're committed to people and the planet, ensuring a positive impact.

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