Hands-On Mechanical Engineer Intern - Robotics Hardware

Gradient Robotics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gradient Robotics is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own a subassembly from sketch to validated hardware, collaborating with the team to optimize parts through the full build-test loop. You will design, analyze, fabricate, and test components directly on the robot, turning failures into revised parts within the same week.

The role emphasizes hands-on ownership, fast iteration, and contributing to hardware that scales a cutting-edge AI infrastructure. On-site work in San Francisco is required.

Qualifications

• 1-4 years of mechanical design experience (exceptional new grads welcome).
• Strong fundamentals in statics, materials, tolerance analysis, fasteners, and basic FEA.
• Experience building things: student teams, shipped products, prototypes that worked.
• Hands-on machining experience and ability to make parts in-house.
• Must be able to work on-site in San Francisco 5 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Own a subassembly from design to validation and integration.
• Perform hand calcs, tolerance analyses, and select fasteners and materials.
• Build, assemble, and test parts on fixtures and on the robot.
• Iterate designs quickly based on test feedback within the same week.

Skills

Statics

Materials

Tolerance analysis

Fasteners

Basic FEA

Hand calcs

Machining

Tools

Fusion 360

CAM programming

Job description

Gradient Robotics is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own a subassembly from sketch to validated hardware, collaborating with the team to optimize parts through the full build-test loop. You will design, analyze, fabricate, and test components directly on the robot, turning failures into revised parts within the same week.

The role emphasizes hands-on ownership, fast iteration, and contributing to hardware that scales a cutting-edge AI infrastructure. On-site work in San Francisco is required.