Founding Mechanical Engineer

Stratarobot; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Strata is seeking a Founding Mechanical Engineer to design, test, and deploy the v1 robot for heavy outdoor construction work. You will own subsystems end-to-end—from concept through field deployment—working closely with the CTO and early team to deliver reliable hardware for rugged environments.

You will apply first-principles calculations, FEA, and DFx, source parts with vendors, develop tests, and iterate quickly in a fast-paced startup setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years designing, building, and testing complex hardware systems.

Responsibilities

• Own subsystems end-to-end—from concept to field deployment—working with the CTO and early team.
• Define requirements for a robot operating in rugged, dirty, hazardous environments and multi-ton loads.
• Perform first-principles calculations and FEA to size structures and hydraulics under real-world loading.
• Run motion studies, interference checks, and tolerance stack-ups to validate designs before parts are cut.
• Apply DFx and stay hands-on through first builds, sourcing parts and coordinating with vendors.
• Create manufacturing and assembly drawings with GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Develop and execute hardware test plans including environmental/qualification testing.

Skills

End-to-end subsystem ownership

Rugged high-payload hardware

Hydraulic/fluid power systems

Hands-on prototyping

System test planning

Startup environment adaptability

Design-for-manufacturing (DFx)

First-principles calculations

FEA / hand calculations

Partner with vendors/suppliers

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

CAD/3D Modeling

GD&T

Job description

Company Description

Heavy infrastructure cannot be built fast enough to fulfill the promises of American reindustrialization. With labor availability tightening and the workforce aging, construction faces a multi-trillion-dollar execution gap over the next decade. Backed by Founders Fund and others, the team is developing robots for outdoor, high-payload job site work with a focus on immediate deployment and autonomy that delivers value immediately. We’re partnering with the largest heavy construction firms to put robots on sites immediately, building hardware, data, and commercial moats to bring end-to-end autonomy to construction.

We are looking for a Founding Mechanical Engineer specializing in design, test, and deployment to build out Strata’s v1 robot, helping to transform prototypes into reliable, scalable hardware systems for manufacturing and field deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own subsystems end-to-end — from concept, sizing, and analysis through drawings, vendor sourcing, build, test, and field deployment — working closely with the CTO, and founding electromechanical team.
• Define and satisfy mechanical requirements for a robot that operates in rugged, dirty, hazardous environments and carries multi-ton loads.
• Perform first-principles hand calculations and finite element analysis to size structures, mechanisms, and hydraulic components (cylinders, valves, pumps) under real-world loading.
• Run motion studies, interference/clearance checks, load path analysis, and tolerance stack-ups to validate design intent before parts are cut.
• Apply design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly principles, and stay hands-on through first builds to catch and fix issues early.
• Partner with external vendors and manufacturers to source parts, manage quotes and purchase orders, and build out early supply chain relationships.
• Create manufacturing, welding, and assembly drawings using GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Develop and execute hardware test plans spanning functional, environmental, and qualification testing.
• Define hardware success criteria with customers and support the robot through pilot deployment in the field.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years designing, building, and testing complex hardware systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with rugged, high-payload hardware — heavy equipment, off-road vehicles, aerospace structures, or industrial machinery.
• Hands-on experience with hydraulic or fluid power systems (cylinders, valves, pumps, manifolds).
• Proficiency in CAD and GD&T; experience with Siemens NX preferred.
• Strong grounding in hand calculations and FEA, with the judgment to know when each is warranted.
• Personal experience physically manufacturing hardware (machining, fabrication, welding, soldering, assembly, etc.).
• Track record of writing and executing system test plans efficiently within fast-paced development timelines.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment with high ownership and fast iteration.