The Role:
We are seeking a Lead Robotics Hardware Engineer with 6–12+ years of hands-on experience to own the architecture, prototyping, and field deployment of robotic data-collection platforms and customer workcells end-to-end. In this ground-floor role, you will lead physical systems engineering from early lab prototypes to customer installations. You will integrate commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) robotics hardware with custom mechanics and sensors to deliver dependable, high-impact manufacturing solutions. This is a high-visibility technical leadership role offering a direct path toward Head of Hardware as the company scales its hardware organization.
Responsibilities:
Program Ownership: Lead hardware programs through the complete lifecycle—from initial requirements and system architecture to design, validation, build, and customer site deployment.
Systems Integration: Evaluate, select, and integrate COTS 6/7-DOF robotic arms, custom/COTS end effectors, force/tactile sensors, and vision systems into complete, deployable manufacturing workcells.
Rapid Prototyping & CAD: Iterate rapidly on mechanical designs, mounting structures, and tooling using modern 3D CAD platforms (SolidWorks, Onshape, Creo, or NX).Technical Leadership: Set engineering standards, conduct rigorous design reviews, and mentor team engineers to raise the overall technical bar.
Field Deployments: Travel to client production facilities to deploy, test, troubleshoot, and optimize automated workcells on-site.
Team Building: Assist in hiring, structuring, and eventually leading the hardware engineering organization as deployments scale.
Key Requirements: U.S.
Citizenship:
Required due to government and industrial compliance standards (Green Card holders and visa sponsorship cannot be accommodated for this role).
Location:
Ability to work 100% on-site in New York City with travel to customer sites as needed. Robotics Expertise: Dedicated background in robotics or mechatronics systems engineering (not exclusively traditional mechanical or structural design).
Experience:
6 to 12 years of experience developing complex electromechanical hardware, robotics, or mechatronics systems.
End-to-End Track Record: Proven history of taking complex physical systems from concept and CAD through assembly, integration, and field deployment.
Robotic Manipulation: Practical experience evaluating and integrating manipulator arms, end effectors, custom grippers, or tool changers.
CAD Mastery: High proficiency in a modern 3D CAD platform (SolidWorks, Onshape, Creo, or NX).Core ME Fundamentals: Solid grasp of GD&T, tolerance analysis, structural design, materials, actuators, bearings, cable management, fasteners, and manufacturing processes.
Hands-on Mindset: Eager to build, assemble, test, and debug hardware in the lab alongside software and ML teams.
Nice-to-Have Experience:
Exposure to tactile/force sensing, compliant mechanisms, or multi-sensor calibration for robotic manipulators.
Prior experience leading technical design reviews or acting as a formal hardware team lead/manager.
Degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
