Senior Actuator Mechanical Design Engineer

Humanoid; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health benefits

Paid time off—23 days

Paid holidays

Equity/stock options

Free daily catered lunch

Job summary

Humanoid in Vancouver is seeking a Senior Actuator Mechanical Design Engineer to own the design and development of robotic actuators for humanoid mobility and manipulation. You will collaborate with robotics, controls, electrical, and software teams to prototype, test, and deploy actuators.

You’ll lead design reviews and GD&T, and help ensure performance, durability, and scalability of our humanoid platform HMND‑01 in real industrial environments.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in mechanical design for robotics or electromechanical systems.
• 3+ years of experience designing planetary, cycloidal, or strain wave actuators.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Size and design torque dense actuators and integrate key components.
• Develop gearbox designs and reduction methods; create 3D CAD models and production drawings.
• Lead rapid prototyping and validation; ensure manufacturability and quality.

Skills

Actuator design

Mechanical design

GD&T

SolidWorks/NX

Robotics

Prototyping

Materials science

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering/Robotics

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 - our rapidly developed humanoid platform being deployed in real industrial environments - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.

About the Role

As a Senior Actuator Mechanical Design Engineer at Humanoid, you will own the design and development of robotic actuators to be integrated in robotic joints and dynamic mechanisms that enable humanoid mobility and manipulation.

This role requires strong fundamentals in mechanical design, system integration, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5), as well as a passion for building complex hardware systems.

You will collaborate closely with robotics, controls, electrical, and software teams to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy robotic actuators.

Your work will directly influence the performance, reliability, and scalability of our humanoid robots.

What You’ll Do

• Size and design torque dense actuators for humanoid robots, being responsible for specification and integration of key components including motors, bearings, encoders, and drives
• Select appropriate reduction methods and develop innovative strain wave and planetary gearbox designs
• Create 3D CAD models and production drawings using SolidWorks / NX, applying GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to ensure precision and manufacturability
• Select materials and manufacturing methods that balance performance, weight, cost, and scalability
• Lead rapid prototyping and iteration, using tools such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and rapid fabrication
• Design components for high volume production, designing for processes like casting, injection moulding, and extrusion
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineers to integrate actuators and sensors into robotic platforms
• Conduct mechanical testing and validation to verify performance, durability, and system reliability
• Perform design reviews, risk assessments, and safety analysis to ensure robust robotic systems
• Generate and maintain technical documentation, including engineering drawings, specifications, and bill of materials (BOM)
• Own mechanical subsystems from concept through prototyping, testing, and deployment.
• 7+ years of professional experience in mechanical design for robotics, electromechanical systems, or complex hardware products
• 3+ years of professional experience designing planetary, cycloidal, or strain wave actuators
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field
• Strong fundamentals in mechanics, statics, dynamics, and material science
• Proficiency with SolidWorks, NX, or similar CAD tools
• Experience applying GD&T based on ASME Y14.5
• Experience designing precision mechanical assemblies or mechanisms
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and injection molding
• Hands‑on experience building, assembling, and testing mechanical prototypes
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience using KISSsoft or RoMax to develop gearboxes
• Experience designing ball screw, lead screw, or roller screw actuators
• Experience working on humanoid, legged, or mobile robots
• Experience performing FEA or structural simulations
• Experience in the testing or thermal modelling of electric motors or gearboxes
• Experience in robotics, aerospace, automotive, or advanced hardware startups

What We Offer

• Comprehensive extended health benefits starting on your first day, including fully paid medical and dental, virtual care, employee and family assistance, and worldwide emergency medical support.
• Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), 15 days of paid sick leave, and paid company holidays.
• Paid end-of-year shutdown: annual company‑wide holiday closure spanning Christmas through New Year’s Day.
• Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
• Free daily catered lunch, snacks, and drinks in‑office.
• Collaboration with top‑tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
• Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.

For this role in Vancouver, the expected base salary range is $120,000 – $170,000 CAD per year; your placement in that range depends on how your experience maps to our internal leveling.