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Innovation Engineer

  • Hybrid
    • Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
  • Product

Job description

About us: iconic brand, tiny company.

 

Polaroid was founded in 1937 by one of the most seminal innovators of the 20th century, Edwin Land. His motto was, “don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.” In 2008, Polaroid shuttered its last factory, but a group of diehard fans came together as The Impossible Project to save instant film. Over 10 years later that startup acquired what was left of Polaroid and today we’re again a small group of people passionate about changing the world through great products.

Job Summary
We’re looking for a highly inventive engineer to join our Product Development team—someone who thrives on hands-on problem-solving, building from scratch, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As an Innovator, you’ll work across multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, optics, embedded systems, and digital technologies) within our EU and Asia teams to prototype, develop, and refine groundbreaking ideas for future products.

This role is ideal for someone who excels in 0-to-1 product development—inventing new technologies, building functional prototypes to prove working principles, and driving advanced concepts toward real-world applications. You’re a creator, a builder, and a problem-solver who sees opportunities where others see constraints.

If you love thinking outside the box and enjoy tackling complex challenges across multiple engineering fields, we want you on our team.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Invent & Prototype – Bring ideas to life by designing, building, and testing functional prototypes using a range of tools, materials, and technologies.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Development – Engineer integrated solutions across mechanical, electrical, optical, embedded, and digital systems, solving complex problems in novel ways.

  • Explore Emerging Technologies – Research and experiment with cutting-edge technologies to shape the future of Polaroid products.

  • Build & Validate Systems – Develop proof-of-concept models, conduct experiments, and validate working principles to assess technical feasibility.

  • Collaborate & Communicate – Work closely with internal teams and external partners to refine ideas, iterate on designs, and bring innovative solutions to life.

  • Drive 0-to-1 Innovation – Move from theoretical exploration to practical application, creating breakthrough product concepts that redefine what’s possible.

 

Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor's or Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Optics, or related field).

  • Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience in at least two of the following hardware-focused fields:

  • Mechanical design & prototyping (CAD, machining, 3D printing, materials selection)

  • Electrical engineering (PCB design, embedded systems, firmware development)

  • Optical systems (lenses, sensors, optical simulation & analysis)

  • Algorithm development (sensor fusion, control systems, automation)

  • Mechatronics (motion systems, robotics, actuation)

  • Digital product development & software integration

  • Hands-on Mentality – Comfortable working in labs, workshops, and field-testing environments.

  • Creative Problem-Solving – Ability to tackle technical challenges in unconventional ways.

  • Collaboration & Communication – Strong ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and articulate ideas, challenges, and solutions effectively.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with early-stage product development and technology incubation.

  • Proficiency with prototyping tools (laser cutting, CNC, microcontrollers, rapid fabrication techniques).

  • Passion for the intersection of hardware, software, and physical product design.

  • Understanding of product lifecycle development and scaling concepts from prototype to production.

  • Ability to leverage external research and design partners to accelerate innovation.

 

Why This Role

This isn’t your typical engineering job. We need someone who thrives in uncertainty, embraces hands-on experimentation, and is excited to build the next big thing. If you’re ready for the challenge, let’s talk!

Find out more about our applicant privacy policy here:

https://www.polaroid.com/careers-job-applicant-privacy-policy

 

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