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Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team)

Foundation
3 days ago
Full-time
On-site
San Francisco, California, United States
Engineering


Why are We Hiring for this Role


  • Tackle the hardest unsolved problem in robotics hardware: human-like dexterous manipulation in the real world
  • Design and develop mechanical architectures for humanoid robotic hands, including joints, structures, and tendon-driven actuation systems.
  • Design/select and integrate tendons, actuators, routing hardware, transmission mechanisms and electronics in extremely space-constrained environments
  • Prototype, test, and iterate hand designs to meet strength, dexterity, durability, and manufacturability goals
  • Conduct stress, fatigue, and failure analysis
  • Select materials for tendons and structures (hard and soft) based on a variety of criteria: strength, friction, flexibility, wear resistance.
  • Evaluate materials for flexibility, grip, and wear resistance, including soft materials where applicable


What Kind of Person are We Looking For


  • Shipped hard-to-build, hard-to-make-reliable products at industrial scale
  • Self starter, high accountability and high sense of ownership of their work
  • Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and hands-on experience in robotics, automotive, or a related field
  • Experience with complex assemblies and kinematic systems under tight spatial constraints
  • Understanding of manufacturing processes (CNC machining, injection molding, stamping, additive manufacturing, etc.)
  • Familiarity with control systems and mechatronics
  • Hands-on prototyping experience
  • Plus: Prior experience with tendon-driven systems and/or highly space-constrained moving mechanismsΒ 
  • Plus: Experience integrating sensors (force, position, tactile) into mechanical systems