Staff Mechanical Engineer – Robotic Hand Design Tech Lead

Location: Austin, TX

Department: Hardware

 

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer – Robotic Hand Design Tech Lead to lead the structural design and architecture of a next-generation robotic hand for a humanoid platform. This role goes beyond traditional end effectors—focusing on highly dexterous, human-like manipulation in unstructured environments.

As the technical lead for hand structures, you will define and drive the mechanical design of complex, multi-DOF systems that must balance strength, compliance, weight, and tactile interaction. You will work at the intersection of biomechanics, precision engineering, and robotics to create a hand capable of robust, versatile, and safe interaction with the world.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Own the robotic hand structural architecture
  Define the mechanical architecture of a multi-fingered humanoid hand, including finger topology, joints, palm structure, and load paths, balancing dexterity, strength, and weight.
• Lead design of fingers and joints
  Develop robust, multi-DOF mechanisms with appropriate joint types, ensuring durability under off-axis loads, impacts, and real-world use.
• Co-design with actuation systems
  Partner with actuation team on tendon-driven or remote actuation designs, including cable routing, transmission efficiency, and wear reduction.
• Engineer for contact-rich, human-like interaction
  Design for grasping, pinching, sliding, and tool use, balancing compliance and stiffness for both precision and safe interaction.
• Drive structural analysis and durability
  Own FEA and validation for stress, fatigue, and impact. Design for high cycle life and address failure modes like wear, loosening, and material fatigue.
• Enable compact, integrated designs
  Build high-density mechanical systems that integrate actuation, sensing, and wiring within tight space constraints.
• Lead prototyping and iteration
  Rapidly prototype, test, and refine designs based on hands-on evaluation and system-level feedback.
• Own manufacturability and scale-up
  Drive DFM/DFA, process selection, tolerancing, and supplier collaboration to ensure production-ready designs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally
  Work closely with controls, perception, electrical, and software teams to deliver a cohesive manipulation system.
• Provide technical leadership
  Mentor engineers, lead design reviews, and set best practices for dexterous manipulation systems.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Drive Through Influence: A proven ability to lead technical initiatives and align cross-functional stakeholders without direct reporting authority. You must be able to build consensus on complex architectural trade-offs.
• Surfacing Expertise: Proven ability to work with Class-A surfaces and complex geometries; expert-level proficiency in surfacing tools within SolidWorks, NX, Catia…
• Subject Matter Expertise: Proven track record of designing multi-axis robotic arms or high-DOF dynamic mechanisms.
• Packaging Mastery: Exceptional skills in "tight-space" integration; experience with ruggedized electronics packaging or automotive/aerospace interiors is a plus.
• Education: BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• Direct experience with robotic hands, dexterous manipulation, or anthropomorphic mechanisms is preferred
• Familiarity with human hand biomechanics or bio-inspired design principle sis preferred
• Experience with tendon-driven systems, cable routing, or underactuated mechanisms is preferred
• Background in compliant or soft robotic structures is preferred
• Experience integrating tactile sensing or force feedback into mechanical designs is preferred
• Knowledge of advanced materials and surface treatments for wear and grip optimization is preferred

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

 

• Education: B.S in Mechanical Engineering 
• Experience: 8 years of experience in mechanical design of complex robotic systems

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate