Mechanical Design Engineer

Physical Intelligence Physical Intelligence · AI Frontier · San Francisco, CA · Hardware

Mechanical Design Engineer for robotic systems, responsible for the full mechanical development lifecycle from concept to production, including actuator design, kinematics, mechatronics, manufacturing processes, reliability testing, and system integration. Requires experience in high-volume manufacturing and bringing hardware products to market.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own the mechanical design lifecycle: Drive all design decisions around 3D CAD, 2D drawings, material selection, and manufacturability — from early concept and proof-of-concept prototypes through high-volume production.
  2. Develop and refine manufacturing processes: Identify and optimize injection molding, die casting, stamping, machining, adhesives, and bonding methods for new and existing products.
  3. Ensure reliability and robustness: Perform and interpret reliability tests (HALT/HASS, tolerance stack-ups, environmental testing) and lead corrective design actions.
  4. Leverage simulation for smart decisions: Use basic FEA tools (thermal, structural, vibrational) and first-order analyses to validate or guide design from early phases onward.
  5. Lead system integration efforts: Collaborate with electrical and radio teams to balance thermal, EMI, mechanical stability, and accessibility needs in tightly integrated assemblies.

Skills

Required

  • Mechanical design (3D CAD, 2D drawings)
  • Material selection
  • Manufacturability analysis
  • High-volume manufacturing processes (injection molding, die casting, stamping, machining, bonding)
  • Reliability testing (HALT/HASS, tolerance stack-ups, environmental testing)
  • FEA tools (thermal, structural, vibrational)
  • System integration (electrical, radio, thermal, EMI, mechanical stability)
  • Prototyping methods (machining, sheet metal fabrication, 3D printing)
  • Vendor management
  • Cross-functional communication
  • Experience in robotics, automotive, or consumer products

Nice to have

  • FMEA, DOE methodologies
  • Test-to-failure approaches
  • First-order engineering judgments
  • Experience in early-stage startup environments

What the JD emphasized

  • 7+ years of experience taking hardware products from concept to production
  • strong portfolio of shipped mechanical designs
  • Deep understanding of high-volume manufacturing processes
  • Proven record of mechanically integrating electronics