Mechanical Engineer, full-time
 
Location: Ede, Netherlands
Start date: May 2026
 
Are you a Mechanical Engineer with experience in industrial machine design, preferably in the agri-, food- or manufacturing sector? We are looking for an engineer who enjoys designing practical, robust machines that will operate reliably in a real production environment.
 
At SAIA you will work on the development and industrialisation of automated greenhouse systems that enable large-scale food production. We need your help and expertise to integrate our greenhouse automation systems. Together we want to build the fully synchronized food factory of the future.
 
Your responsibilities
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Designing robust mechanical systems and machinery suitable for continuous operation in a greenhouse environment.

• Translating concepts into manufacturable designs and detailed engineering documentation such as 3D CAD models, 2D drawings, P&IDs, requirements and specifications, and parts lists.

• Performing engineering calculations and supporting design decisions with basic analysis and simulations.

• Working closely with external machine builders and suppliers to realise mechanical systems.

• Supporting the testing, installation and improvement of systems in our greenhouse and at customer locations.

• Collaborating with software, mechatronics and cultivation teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems within the overall platform.

 
Your skills and experience
What will you bring to our team?
We are looking for a flexible team player and strong communicator who enjoys working in a multi-disciplinary team in a truly innovative environment where plants, hardware and software come together. You have a passion for technology and want to use your strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail to make robust technological solutions for a greenhouse environment. Some green fingers and experience in working with plants, in greenhouses or hygiene-design in food-related fields are a plus, as plants and produce are central to our systems.
 
Your profile:

• You hold an HBO, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Design.

• You have at least 5 years of experience in mechanical design or machine building, preferably in an industrial environment.

• You are proficient in 3D CAD (SolidWorks) and familiar with creating detailed production drawings.

• You have experience with 2D CAD tools such as AutoCAD or similar software.

• You are able to look beyond individual subsystems, anticipate potential bottlenecks and proactively involve the right expertise when needed.

• Experience with agricultural machinery, greenhouse technology, food processing equipment, or other industrial machinery is a strong advantage.

• You hold a valid driver’s license.

• You are proficient in Dutch.

 
Are you interested, please apply! Or if you have any questions, contact us at recruitment@saia.tech!

 
What do we offer you?
What can you expect as a Mechanical Engineer at SAIA?

• A competitive full-time salary (€4,500 – €6,000 depending on experience) and 25 days of paid vacation.

• The opportunity to work on real machines that are deployed in our automated greenhouse and at customer locations.

• A role within a small, interdisciplinary engineering team, working alongside experts in greenhouse cultivation, automation and machine design.

• Close collaboration with external machine builders and suppliers to realise and scale our systems.

• An open and collaborative working environment where critical thinking and initiative are valued.

• A workplace in our automated greenhouse at the World Food Center in Ede, located next to Ede-Wageningen train station.

• Highly motivated colleagues who share an interest in technology, automation and sustainable food production.

 
About SAIA
At SAIA we take a different approach. Our mission is to make advanced greenhouse technology accessible and scalable for food production anywhere in the world. We built a disruptive automated greenhouse, the food factory of the future. Our robot does not need to hunt for harvestable produce in the greenhouse jungle. Instead, we are the first to mobilise our plants so that we can bring them to our robot for easy, reliable deleafing and harvesting. We are now transitioning from prototype development to scaling and deploying our systems to customers. This requires robust mechanical design and close collaboration with machine builders and suppliers and we are looking for new team members to help us do so.
 
You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of experts in the field of AI, greenhouse cultivation, but also with external machine builders and engineering firms to create an integrated system. At SAIA, responsibility and ownership of your work are central. We are a relatively small team (20 people) working together on one big product, so working well together with people outside your specialisation is essential. We are looking for someone who looks beyond a single subsystem, someone who recognizes future bottlenecks and seeks knowledge and expertise outside Saia where necessary. Critical thinking is highly valued and respected, as is open communication with all colleagues in the company.
 
You work together with both juniors and experienced engineers in different formations. Our dynamic and close-knit team consists of highly skilled, motivated and ambitious people who love robots, technology, plants and food. We work efficiently with plenty of room for laughter, through the good times and the bad. Together we strive for a better world and healthy food for everyone.
 
Our automated greenhouse at the World Food Center in Ede is where we design, build and test our machines in a real production environment.
 
>> Want to know more? Please contact us through the form below!