Mechanical Design Engineer, Hands Structures & Integration
1X · San Carlos, United States · 3mo ago
About 1X
We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.
To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.
NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.
If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.
About the Team
The Hardware Engineering team designs and delivers the electromechanical systems that allow NEO to move, manipulate, and interact safely with the world. From structural components and precision mechanisms to complete robotic subsystems, the team owns hardware development from concept through production.
Working closely with electrical, controls, firmware, manufacturing, and robotics engineers, you'll help transform ambitious ideas into robust, manufacturable products that operate reliably in real-world environments.
Your Charter
Design and deliver lightweight, structurally optimized, highly integrated structures that enable NEO’s hands to perform reliably and be manufactured at scale.
You will design and develop structural components and assemblies that integrate actuators, electronics, mechanisms, sensors, wiring, and thermal hardware within extremely constrained mechanical envelopes.
You will use structural analysis, FEA, optimization, and physical testing to drive design decisions and develop hardware that balances stiffness, strength, mass, packaging, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
Key Outcomes
Design and release structural components and assemblies that meet performance, reliability, cost, and manufacturability requirements
Develop highly integrated structures that package actuators, electronics, mechanisms, sensors, wiring, and thermal hardware within tight space constraints
Use structural FEA, first-principles analysis, and physical testing to drive design decisions and optimize structures for stiffness, strength, mass, and packaging
Design and execute structural tests to validate assumptions, correlate analytical and FEA models, characterize failure modes, and drive design iterations
Drive designs from concept through detailed design, prototyping, validation, and production release
Design for high-volume manufacturing and drive DFM, DFA, tolerance analysis, and cost optimization throughout development
Work closely with electrical, thermal, materials, test, and manufacturing teams to define interfaces and develop integrated mechanical solutions
Work directly with suppliers and manufacturing partners to resolve DFM issues, validate production processes, and support production ramp
Support hardware through production ramp and continuous improvement, identifying and resolving design, reliability, and manufacturing issues
Key Competencies
Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with the ability to design practical, high-performance hardware
Hands-on engineering mindset with experience building, testing, and refining physical prototypes
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound engineering trade-offs
Excellent collaboration skills across multidisciplinary engineering teams
High attention to detail with a commitment to delivering reliable, production-ready designs
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related engineering discipline
2+ years of experience designing highly integrated mechanical systems, mechanisms, or electromechanical assemblies within significant packaging constraints in a product development environment
Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Onshape, SolidWorks, Creo, NX, CATIA, or similar
Hands-on experience using structural FEA to drive design optimization, including stiffness, strength, and mass optimization
Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, manufacturing processes, GD&T, and tolerance analysis
Experience designing components for high-volume manufacturing processes
Experience creating engineering drawings, BOMs, specifications, and engineering change documentation
Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
Preferred Skills
Familiarity with robotic hardware such as actuators, gear trains, bearings, sensors, cable routing, or related electromechanical systems
Hands-on prototyping skills, including building, assembling, modifying, and troubleshooting mechanical and electromechanical hardware
Knowledge of reliability testing, failure analysis, and root-cause investigations
What does a successful 1X Team Member look like?
Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.
Successful Mechanical Engineers at 1X combine deep technical expertise with a bias toward execution. They enjoy solving difficult multidisciplinary problems, rapidly iterating on hardware, and taking full ownership from initial concepts through production. They understand that exceptional robots are built through rigorous engineering, constant experimentation, and relentless attention to detail.
Compensation Range
$175,950 - $253,000 + Equity
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
Onsite snacks and catered lunches
Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.