Assembly Technician - Robot Hands

1X; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

PTO & holidays

401(k) match

FSA/HSA options

Commuter benefits

Disability & life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

1X is hiring for an Assembly Technician, Hands Team in San Carlos. You will build precision electromechanical hand subassemblies for NEO, handling motors, encoders, PCBs, and harnesses with micron-level tolerances.

The role demands 3+ years in precision assembly, fine motor precision, and the ability to read engineering drawings. You’ll work day or swing shifts, ensuring quality and traceability while supporting continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in precision electromechanical assembly or similar.
• Hands-on experience assembling miniature components—motors, encoders, PCBs, connectors.
• Proficiency with precision hand tools and low-torque instruments.
• Knowledge of ESD handling and controlled-environment protocols.
• Reliable attendance and ability to work scheduled shifts in a team.

Responsibilities

• Assemble precision hand subassemblies to spec with micron-level tolerances.
• Hit shift targets for production while maintaining quality and conformance.
• Capture and document defects, deviations, and material issues at the workstation.
• Maintain complete build logs and inspection data for every unit touched.
• Drive continuous improvement on the line by surfacing issues and proposing fixes.

Skills

Fine motor control

Quality-focused

Reading drawings

Clear communication

ESD handling procedures

Tools

Calibrated torque tools

Dimensional inspection tools

Precision hand tools

Job description

Role Name: Assembly Technician, Hands Team

Department: Production, Hands

Location: San Carlos

Shift: Day Shift (7:00 AM – 3:30 PM) or Swing Shift (3:00 PM – 11:30 PM)

About 1X

We're building humanoid robots that work in home – doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it's not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing – at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you're inspired by this, you'll thrive here. We've been at this since 2014 and we're at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship – a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We're not demoing it – we're shipping it. We're excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you've spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world – this is that moment. We're scaling, we're hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time – safely creating abundance for all.

About the Team

The Hands team builds the most dexterous part of NEO – the hands that pick up cups, fold laundry, and turn doorknobs in real homes. Every subassembly we ship is built to micron-level precision because the difference between a robot that helps and a robot that frustrates comes down to how well its hands work. Without this team, NEO can't do its job – and 1X can't deliver on the mission.

Your Charter

Build the precision electromechanical subassemblies that give NEO the dexterity to work alongside people. Every motor, encoder, PCB, and harness you assemble is a direct contribution to 1X's mission of creating an abundant supply of physical labor through safe, intelligent humanoids. The quality of your work decides whether the robots we ship can be trusted in someone's home.

Key Outcomes

• Build hand subassemblies to spec with zero defects passed downstream – micron-level tolerances, sub-M2 fasteners, ESD-sensitive components, fine-pitch connectors

• Hit shift production targets without compromising quality – own your station's output, uptime, and conformance

• Catch and document defects, process deviations, and material issues at the workstation before they reach the next station

• Maintain complete, accurate build logs and inspection data for every unit you touch

• Drive continuous improvement on your line – surface issues, propose fixes, and partner with engineering and the opposite shift to keep the line moving

Key Competencies

• Fine motor precision and steady hands – you can work confidently with parts smaller than M2 fasteners, hour after hour

• Quality-first mindset – you'd rather flag a problem and fix it than ship it and hope

• Strong drawing literacy – you read engineering specs and detailed work instructions and build to them independently

• Calm under repetition – you do detailed, focused work for full shifts without losing accuracy

• Clear communicator – especially across shift handoffs, with quality, and with engineering

Minimum Requirements

• 3+ years in precision electromechanical assembly, micro assembly, or similar fine-component manufacturing (humanoid robotics, medical devices, aerospace actuators, consumer electronics internals, optical assemblies)

• Hands-on experience assembling miniature components – small motors, gearboxes, encoders, PCBs, and fine-pitch connectors

• Proficiency with precision hand tools, calibrated torque instruments at low values (~1 Nm), and dimensional inspection tools (micrometers, pin gauges, dial indicators, calipers, or similar)

• Working knowledge of ESD handling procedures and controlled-environment protocols

• Reliable attendance and the ability to work scheduled shifts consistently in a team environment

• Professional-level English proficiency (written and verbal)

Preferred Skills

• MES or ERP experience (Odoo, SAP, or similar) for production tracking and work order management

• Background in robotic, actuator, gearbox, or servo assembly

• Soldering experience (through-hole or SMT rework)

• Familiarity with thermal compounds or adhesives (Loctite, etc.) and comfort working near thermal processing equipment

• Experience with vision inspection systems or digital measurement tools

• Firmware flashing or programming of embedded components

• Functional testing of PCBs, small motors, or encoders (continuity checks, run-in, performance validation)

• Lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement experience

Physical Requirements

• Able to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods performing fine detail work

• Able to lift up to 30 lbs occasionally

• Sufficient vision (corrected or uncorrected) to inspect miniature components and read fine markings at close range

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it's the one thing you can't get back – because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

Compensation Range

$30.00/hr – $40.00/hr + Equity

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave

• 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options

• Commuter benefits (transit and parking)

• Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support

• Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.