Actuator Team Lead — Robotics Innovation in SF

Foundation Robotics Lab; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Foundation Robotics Lab seeks an actuator lead in San Francisco to build and lead a cross-functional team spanning electrical systems, motor design, geartrain, controls, and electronics. You will drive design optimization and develop new actuator architectures through rapid prototyping and modeling.

You are a hands-on technical leader with IC design in motor/actuator systems, strong knowledge of electromechanical actuators, and mastery of 3D CAD, simulation tools (FEA/MATLAB/ANSYS), and GD&T.

Qualifications

• Hands-on technical leader with IC design experience in motor/actuator systems for robotics, automotive, or aerospace (bonus if high volume manufacturing).
• Robust understanding of electromechanical actuators, with skills in controller development, gearbox optimization, embedded firmware, communication protocols, sensor integration, and packaging.
• Leader ready to dive into mechanical, electrical, firmware, controls, and sourcing challenges with technical depth.
• Mastery in 3D CAD software, simulation/analysis methods (FEA/MATLAB/ANSYS), GD&T, tolerance analysis, and technical communication.
• Agile, startup-style mindset with bias for action guiding actuator team in robotic progress across Foundation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a cross-functional team spanning electrical systems, motor design, geartrain, controls, and electronics.
• Create new actuator architectures through rapid prototyping and modeling.
• Drive current design optimization while exploring innovative actuator concepts.

Skills

IC design experience

Actuator systems knowledge

Technical leadership

3D CAD software

Simulation/analysis (FEA/MATLAB/ANSYS)

Tools

MATLAB

ANSYS

Job description

Foundation Robotics Lab seeks an actuator lead in San Francisco to build and lead a cross-functional team spanning electrical systems, motor design, geartrain, controls, and electronics. You will drive design optimization and develop new actuator architectures through rapid prototyping and modeling.

You are a hands-on technical leader with IC design in motor/actuator systems, strong knowledge of electromechanical actuators, and mastery of 3D CAD, simulation tools (FEA/MATLAB/ANSYS), and GD&T.