Overview
Senior / Staff Mechanical Engineer – Mechanisms (Individual Contributor)
Venture-Funded Physical AI Robotics Company (Stealth Mode)
We’re conducting a retained search for a stealth-mode Physical AI robotics company building
mission-critical autonomous electromechanical systems .
This is a
hands-on, senior individual contributor role (Senior / Staff level) . You will
own the design and architecture of complex mechanisms
from concept through production. You will not manage a team - you
own the technical decisions that define product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
If your expertise lies in
designing high-precision, high-speed mechanisms , solving challenging kinematic and electromechanical integration problems, and making trade-offs where performance, repeatability, and manufacturability collide, this role is intentionally demanding.
Founder-Led, Operator-Driven
You’ll work directly with two hands-on founders who bring unmatched technical and operational credibility :
Acting CTO (Product & Technology)
Owns all product and technology, from mechanical architecture through production deployment
Builds and optimizes mechanical systems, embedded integration, and electromechanical platforms
Senior engineering leader shaped by Tesla-scale manufacturing and Zipline-scale autonomous systems
Drives first-principles thinking, rigorous testing, and mechanisms that survive field deployment
The Role
As
Senior / Staff Mechanical Engineer - Mechanisms , you will
lead the design and optimization of complex electromechanical systems
for a revolutionary autonomous robotic platform. Your work will directly impact mechanism performance, repeatability, reliability, and scalability.
You will : Architect and design
high-speed, high-precision mechanisms
for autonomous medication handling
Solve complex kinematic challenges, ensuring repeatable motion under tight tolerances
Integrate mechanical systems seamlessly with actuation, sensing, embedded control, and software
Drive DFM strategy and scale designs from prototype to high-volume production
Establish robust test, validation, and reliability protocols for mission-critical operations
This is
ground-up product building : design, prototype, test, refine, document, and see your mechanisms deployed at scale.
What You’ll Build & Lead
Advanced Mechanisms :
High-speed, high-accuracy dispensing mechanisms capable of handling hundreds of unique items
Precision linkages, cams, gear trains, and actuated assemblies designed for continuous operation
Mechanisms engineered for repeatable, reliable motion under tight tolerances
Integration with sensors, embedded systems, and robotics control
Design for Scale & Production :
Lead mechanical DFM for both low and high-volume manufacturing
Translate prototypes into production-ready assemblies capable of thousands of units annually
Establish supplier and contract manufacturing relationships for complex components
Create build-to-print documentation that ensures repeatability and cost-effective assembly
Ground-Up Product Development
Own mechanical architecture from concept to production release
Balance mechanical innovation with manufacturability and serviceability
Design mechanisms for robustness, reliability, and field maintenance
Ensure compliance with healthcare and pharmaceutical handling standards
Test, Validation & Reliability
Lead mechanical design verification and validation (DVT)
Implement reliability testing to achieve 99.99%+ uptime
Conduct FMEA and risk mitigation at the mechanism level
Drive continuous improvement through field data and iterative design refinement
Who You Are
Experience
5+ years hands-on mechanical engineering experience designing complex electromechanical mechanisms
Demonstrated ability to take mechanisms from concept through production release
Deep knowledge of machining, sheet metal, injection molding, die casting, and assembly
CAD mastery in SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent, including high-fidelity master modeling
Technical Excellence
Expertise in kinematics, motion, precision linkages, cams, and gear trains
Strong experience in mechanism integration with electrical, control, and software systems
Proven ability to design robust, repeatable, and high-speed mechanisms for continuous operation
Skilled in manufacturing documentation, DFM / DFA, and production scale-up
Culture Fit
Bias toward action : prototype, iterate, refine
Hands-on doer : you design, test, and problem-solve directly
Scrappy, low-ego, mission-driven, and highly collaborative
Why Join
True mechanical ownership from concept to national deployment
Build mission-critical mechanisms integrated with AI, robotics, and autonomy
Work with founders with Tesla- and Zipline-scale engineering.
Solve mechanical and systems-level problems at the cutting edge of robotics
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Senior Mechanical Engineer • San Francisco, California, United States