Senior Mechanical Engineer (Battery and Docking Station)
Apptronik · Austin, United States · 1mo ago
Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
Apptronik is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer – Battery and Docking Station to lead the mechanical design and development of the battery system and autonomous docking infrastructure for our humanoid robot, Apollo. This role is responsible for delivering robust, manufacturable, and serviceable battery pack and docking station solutions that enable reliable charging, seamless battery integration, and long-term field performance. You will work across mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to develop products that operate safely and reliably in demanding real-world environments.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Battery System Design: Lead the mechanical design and integration of battery packs, enclosures, mounting systems, structural components, and service interfaces while meeting performance, safety, and manufacturability requirements.
- Docking Station Development: Design autonomous docking stations, charging interfaces, alignment mechanisms, and structural assemblies that enable reliable robot charging and battery engagement under repeated use.
- Mechanical Architecture: Define mechanical architectures for battery retention, thermal interfaces, sealing strategies, connector protection, and structural load paths throughout the battery and docking systems.
- Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate closely with Electrical, Controls, Systems, Firmware, and Software teams to ensure seamless integration between charging hardware, battery electronics, sensing, and robotic operation.
- Analysis & Validation: Perform structural, thermal, and tolerance analyses to validate designs. Support prototype testing, root cause investigations, and design iterations using both simulation and physical testing.
- Prototype Development: Build and evaluate prototypes through laboratory and field testing, identifying opportunities to improve durability, usability, and reliability.
- DFM & Production Support: Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to optimize designs for production, assembly, cost, serviceability, and scalability.
- Supplier Collaboration: Work directly with suppliers to develop components, review manufacturability, resolve technical issues, and qualify production-ready hardware.
- Reliability & Safety: Ensure battery and docking systems meet safety, environmental, and reliability requirements through rigorous design reviews, testing, and validation.
- Technical Leadership: Mentor junior engineers, establish mechanical design best practices, and drive engineering excellence across battery and charging hardware development.
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Mechanical Design Expertise: Strong experience designing precision mechanical assemblies using CAD (NX, or similar), including sheet metal, machined parts, castings, plastics, and structural assemblies.
- Battery Hardware Knowledge: Experience developing battery enclosures, structural battery components, charging interfaces, connector systems, or power electronics packaging is highly preferred.
- Engineering Analysis: Proficiency in tolerance analysis, and mechanical validation methods, with an understanding of thermal and structural considerations for battery systems.
- Manufacturing Experience: Demonstrated success taking products from concept through prototype, validation, and production while working closely with suppliers and manufacturing teams.
- Problem Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to balance performance, reliability, cost, manufacturability, and schedule.
- Communication: Excellent cross-functional collaboration and technical communication skills.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- Experience: 6+ years of professional experience in mechanical design, with significant experience in battery design, packaging, charging systems, robotics, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, or other complex electromechanical products.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
- Hearing and speech to communicate
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.