Design Engineering Fellowship – Improved Cookstoves

About the role

BURN Manufacturing is seeking a mission‑driven Design Engineering Fellow to work on clean‑burning cookstove solutions for East Africa. The 12‑month fellowship is based in the company’s factory in Ruiru, Kenya, and combines product design, process development and hands‑on prototyping.

Key responsibilities

• Conceptual and detailed design of improved cookstoves tailored to East African markets.
• Research and develop manufacturing processes, including the design of production tools.
• Fabricate prototypes using sheet‑metal forming, welding, and other metal‑working techniques.
• Test concepts and prototypes in laboratory and field environments.

Required profile

• Must have a mechanical engineering, product development, or industrial design background; proficiency with SolidWorks and familiarity with basic workshop equipment (drill press, mill, lathe).
• Ideal candidate shows strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of heat transfer, fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, and practical experience with CNC, sheet‑metal work, and production process development.

Required skills

• SolidWorks CAD modeling.
• Operation of workshop equipment such as drill press, mill and lathe.
• CNC machining and sheet‑metal fabrication.
• Understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics and thermodynamics.

What we offer

• $1,100 monthly stipend.
• Company‑provided housing in Ruiru.
• Round‑trip flight at the start and end of the fellowship.