Tactile Sensing Research Engineer
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
1X Labs exists to provide the science and technology that enables human-level, general-purpose humanoids. We identify the gaps between current robotic capabilities and human performance, then pursue the fundamental advances required to close them through deep research, rigorous experimentation, and rapid iteration.
The sensing systems we develop are not isolated components—they directly shape what robots can perceive, understand, and manipulate. Our work spans materials, sensing, actuation, control, and system integration, with the expectation that research outcomes ultimately become products.
Your Charter
Advance tactile sensing toward human-level capability by developing sensing systems that capture the structure and dynamics of physical contact, not merely the presence of touch.
You will take promising tactile sensing technologies and push them through repeated cycles of design, fabrication, testing, and refinement. Your work will focus on understanding fundamental performance limits, eliminating bottlenecks, and systematically improving sensing performance across spatial resolution, temporal response, dynamic range, robustness, and durability.
As a Tactile Sensing Researcher / Engineer, you'll help create the sensing foundation required for dexterous manipulation and meaningful interaction with the physical world.
Key Outcomes
Deliver successive generations of tactile sensing systems that demonstrate measurable improvements in sensing performance and robustness
Establish rigorous benchmarking methodologies against human tactile capabilities and other state-of-the-art sensing technologies
Identify and overcome fundamental limitations in tactile sensing architectures, materials, and transduction approaches
Generate experimental evidence that guides research decisions and enables confident technology down-selection
Successfully transition promising tactile sensing concepts into viable paths for integration with robotic manipulation systems
Key Competencies
Deep expertise in tactile sensing, sensing systems, or closely related research domains
Strong experimental mindset with a focus on measurement quality, repeatability, and evidence-driven decision making
Ability to work across materials, mechanics, electronics, and system integration challenges
Exceptional hands-on prototyping, fabrication, and testing skills
Persistence and intellectual rigor when solving difficult technical problems with no obvious solutions
Minimum Requirements
PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Bioengineering, or a closely related field
Demonstrated high-impact contributions to tactile sensing or related sensing technologies through publications, patents, deployed systems, or equivalent technical achievements
Proven experience developing sensing technologies through multiple generations of design, fabrication, and validation
Strong hands-on experience building and testing physical sensing systems
Track record of identifying and overcoming fundamental performance limitations in sensing technologies
Preferred Skills
Experience working with soft, compliant, or bio-inspired materials in sensing applications
Experience designing custom experimental setups for sensor characterization and benchmarking
Familiarity with robotic manipulation, dexterous hands, or human-machine interaction systems
Experience developing custom electronics, transduction systems, or signal-processing pipelines for sensing applications
Background in biomechanics, neuroscience, haptics, or biologically inspired sensing systems
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.
Within 1X Labs, the strongest researchers combine deep technical expertise with a relentless commitment to reality. They use experiments to settle debates, push systems until they reveal their true limits, and care as much about understanding failure as they do about achieving success. Research matters because it changes what the robot can do.
Compensation Range
$200,000 - $250,000 + 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.