Motor (Actuator) Team Lead

Location: San Francisco, CA

Department: Hardware

Why We Are Hiring for This Role

• At Foundation, we're progressing multiple robotics programs, where motors and actuators are key for tasks like torque transfer and ROM in components such as thighs, lower legs, and feet.
• To supply motors and actuators to all programs, we need a Motor Team Lead who can apply deep motor knowledge to focus on packaging, electrical systems like custom controllers, gearboxes, sensors, and integrations.
• This role will prioritize optimizations like controller design for efficiency, gearbox tuning for performance, and packaging for compactness, with potential for custom DC brushless motors TBD.
• By creating this in-house team, we'll cut vendor reliance, hasten iterations tailored to program needs, and realize cost efficiencies while delivering state-of-the-art torque density and reliability.
• Functioning as a "startup within a startup," this position will encourage rapid prototyping and dollar-stretching.

What Kind of Person Are We Looking For

• A hands-on technical leader with experience in motor/actuator systems for robotics, automotive, or aerospace, emphasizing packaging, controllers, gearboxes, and sensors over core motor design, with a founder mindset to maximize efficiency by squeezing timelines and stretching budgets.
• Robust understanding of motor basics, with skills in controller development, gearbox optimization, sensor integration, and packaging.
• Proficiency in tools like ANSYS for simulations, CAD for assemblies, and prototyping, with proven collaboration in lean teams for multi-program supply.
• Ideal background from entities where you've delivered actuators to varied projects.
• A player-coach ready to delve into specifics like tolerance stacks, electrical architectures, or linkages in thighs, while strategically planning for scalability across programs.
• Bonus expertise in robotics integrations, such as compatibility with battery charging or hardstops in ankles/feet.
• Zeal for agile, startup-like operations with a bias for action to guide the motor team in transformative robotics progress across all Foundation initiatives.

Benefits:

• We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.

Salary:

• The annual compensation is $185,000+. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

About the Company

About Foundation:

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.

Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Our Culture:

We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

Who should join:

• You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
• You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
• You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
• You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it.
• You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.