A
Apptronik
Staff Mechanical Engineer (Robotic Hand Design Tech Lead)
Skills
Compliance
3 months ago
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Important information
Contract type:
Permanent
Location:
Austin, TX, USA
Work mode:
Onsite
Published on:
7 August 2026
What they need
- 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
- 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- Surfacing Expertise: Proven ability to work with Class-A surfaces and complex geometries; expert-level proficiency in surfacing tools within SolidWorks, NX, Catia…
- Knowledge of advanced materials and surface treatments for wear and grip optimization is preferred
- 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
- 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
- Subject Matter Expertise: Proven track record of designing multi-axis robotic arms or high-DOF dynamic mechanisms
- Background in compliant or soft robotic structures is preferred
- Experience with tendon-driven systems, cable routing, or underactuated mechanisms is preferred
- Experience integrating tactile sensing or force feedback into mechanical designs is preferred
- Experience: 8 years of experience in mechanical design of complex robotic systems
- Education: B.S in Mechanical Engineering
- Hearing and speech to communicate
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
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