Mechanical Engineer

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and supported. We believe in rewarding all our employees with competitive salaries, performance based annual bonuses, stock options and training opportunities.

If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role:

Join our innovative Hardware Development Team in Taiwan and play a pivotal role to lead mechanical design for next-generation portable consumer electronics. Responsibilities include: translating industrial designs into production-ready Mechanical Master CAD for tooling, owning the entire mechanical engineering lifecycle, and ensuring products meet performance, aesthetic, and reliability requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Design Development: Partner with senior engineers to explore mechanical architectures and assess design feasibility from conceptual phase through to manufacturing.
• Structural Design: Assist in the design of plastic, metal, and soft-good components for telecom and accessory products, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic alignment.
• CAD Excellence: Generate and maintain high-precision 3D models and 2D engineering drawings using PTC Creo (Pro-E) and AutoCAD.
• Tolerance & Stack-up Analysis: Support the team in conducting rigorous Tolerance Analysis (TA) and stack-up validation to optimize assembly yields.
• Supplier & DFM Management: Collaborate closely with external suppliers to ensure strict adherence to engineering specifications and DFM (Design for Manufacturing) standards.
• Production Oversight: Participate in monitoring plastic injection and alloy production processes, gaining practical insights into post-processing techniques (e.g., painting, plating, and finishing).
• Validation & Testing: Actively support Tooling Trials (T-runs), Engineering Validations (EV), and Reliability Testing Plans (RA) directly at vendor facilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience: 1–3 years of mechanical engineering experience. Internship experience in consumer electronics is highly regarded.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong command of PTC Creo (Pro-E) and AutoCAD is essential.
• Core Knowledge: Solid understanding of plastic and metal structural design, complemented by a working knowledge of general manufacturing processes.
• Analytical Skills: Foundational expertise in Tolerance Analysis (TA) and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Professional Attributes: A proactive, "can-do" mindset with excellent self-management skills, comfortable with regular travel and remote-first work environments.
• Communication: Basic English proficiency (Listening, Writing, and Speaking) to effectively handle technical documentation and cross-functional project collaboration.

Bonus Points:

• Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) tools such as ANSYS or COMSOL for simulating mechanical behavior and optimizing designs.
• Experience with IPX-8 Waterproof solutions, implementing mechanical or chemical coating solutions to achieve IPX-8 Waterproof Standards for consumer electronics devices.

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
• Full benefits starting from your first day
• Talent and development training
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
• Maternity/paternity leave top up
• Birthday Leave: Enjoy a paid day off during your birthday month.
• Generous Annual Leave: Annual leave that exceeds statutory requirements.
• Work from Anywhere program
• An annual benefit of NT$10,000 to be flexibly used for various Rakuten services.
• Stock Options Program.
• Annual Health Check-up
• Fully Subsidized Group Insurance

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world’s most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

Languages:

Chinese (Traditional) (Overall - 4 - Fluent), English (Overall - 2 - Intermediate)