Mechanical Engineer

Enact Intelligence; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Visa sponsorship

Relocation support

Equity participation

Central Zürich workspace with prototyp

Job summary

Enact Intelligence seeks a seasoned mechanical engineer to design the core of our dexterous manipulation systems in Zürich. You will own concepts through to production, building prototypes, performing FEM and tolerance analyses, and ensuring manufacturability.

You will collaborate with electronics, controls and AI teams to push robotic manipulation capabilities, joining a fast-moving startup that prizes hands-on builders and rapid iteration.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience designing and developing complex mechanical systems.
• Proficient CAD skills with Onshape; experience with PDM/release workflows.
• Experience with FEM and tolerance analysis.
• Strong understanding of design for manufacturing/assembly/cost.
• Knowledge of CNC, sheet metal, 3D printing, injection molding and other tooling.
• Hands-on rapid prototyping (3D printing, laser cutting) and assembly/testing.

Responsibilities

• Design the mechanical core of our dexterous manipulation systems, including components, joints, linkages, transmissions, end-effectors, and housings with trade-offs between weight, stiffness, precision and cost.
• Own end-to-end designs from concept to production; build/test prototypes; back with FEM, tolerance stack-ups, fatigue analysis and lab testing until production-ready.
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners to turn prototypes into reliable, manufacturable, cost-effective parts.
• Work with electronics, controls and AI teams to build a fully vertically integrated robot.

Skills

Mechanical design experience

CAD (Onshape)

PDM workflows

FEM analysis

Tolerance analysis

DfM (manufacturing/assembly/cost)

Machining knowledge

Sheet metal

3D printing

Injection molding

Rapid prototyping

Workshop tools

Prototype testing

English proficiency

Education

BSc/MSc/PhD in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

Onshape CAD

PDM systems

Job description

About Enact

The next defining technological breakthrough will be in the physical world. We stand at a historical inflection point: bringing general-purpose intelligence into robotics.

At Enact we rethink the entire robotic tech stack from model architectures and data pipelines, to the actuators and sensors that feed the model. Pushing beyond pure vision and language approaches, we build a proprioceptive nerve system, and the cortex that makes sense of it, to solve dexterity through whole-body force-awareness and deploy robots for thousands of tasks in industry and beyond.

We are shaping a company where brilliant and unconventional people thrive together on solving the hardest challenges of our time. We are truth seekers. We reason from first principles, test our beliefs against reality, and trust that the best ideas can come from anyone. We move fast. We care deeply about our work and colleagues and are driven by passion to change the status quo.

If this resonates, we’re excited to hear from you.

In This Role You Will

• Design the mechanical center piece of our dexterous manipulation systems : structural components, joints, linkages, transmissions, end-effectors, and housings, with tight trade-offs between weight, stiffness, precision, and cost

• Own your designs end-to-end : from early concepts and mechanical architecture to series production: build and test prototypes in days, back them up with FEM, tolerance stack-ups, fatigue analysis, and lab testing until they’re production-ready

• Work closely with manufacturing partners: turn prototypes into reliable, manufacturable, cost-effective parts

• Build a fully vertically integrated robot: work hand in hand with electronics, controls, and AI teams to push what robotic manipulation can do

What We’re Looking For

• Degree (BSc/MSc/PhD) in mechanical engineering or a related field

• 3+ years of work experience designing and developing complex mechanical systems

• Excellent CAD skills (e.g., Onshape) and experience with PDM and release workflows

• Solid experience with structural analysis (FEM) and tolerance analysis

• Deep understanding of design for manufacturing/assembly/cost

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing methods, including CNC machining, sheet metal, 3D printing, injection molding and other tooled parts, and precision assemblies

• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping (3D printing, laser cutting), workshop tools, and prototype assembly/testing

• Fluency in English (spoken and written), with strong interpersonal and communication skills

Bonus Points If You Have

• Hands-on development experience with high-DoF robotic systems (e.g., robotic arms, end-effectors, dexterous hands, or humanoids)

• Actuator and drivetrain design (frameless motors, gearboxes such as harmonic, cycloidal, or planetary, and housings)

• Thermal management and cooling design for compact, high-power assemblies

• Experience mechanically integrating sensors, PCBs, and cable harnesses into moving systems

What we offer

• The opportunity to make a real impact working on some of the biggest challenges of our time

• A fast-paced learning environment alongside an outstanding, driven team

• Ownership from day one, with the ability to iterate quickly and see your impact firsthand in an early-stage startup

• Visa sponsorship & relocation benefits to hire the best in the world

• A world-class in-person setup in central Zürich, with excellent prototyping, robotics, and technical infrastructure for hands‑on builders

• Competitive compensation and meaningful equity participation