Hardware Intern

Ixian Robotics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Ixian Robotics in San Francisco is seeking a hardware intern to design, build, and test real robotics hardware. You will collaborate with engineers on ideation through prototyping, testing, and design revisions, tackling hands-on fabrication and integration challenges.

The role emphasizes CAD work (Onshape, SolidWorks, or Fusion), mechanical design and fabrication, measurement and safe tool use, and clear documentation.

Qualifications

• Hands-on building experience from coursework or projects.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as Onshape, SolidWorks, or Fusion.
• Familiarity with measurement, assembly, and safe tool use.
• Willingness to test ideas and revise designs.
• Clear communication and dependable work ethic.

Responsibilities

• Design and revise parts, fixtures, and assemblies in CAD.
• Build prototypes and document outcomes.
• Implement design changes and drive improvements.
• Define and run tests and analyze data to inform decisions.
• Maintain drawings, BOMs, build notes and test results.

Skills

Hands-on building

CAD proficiency

Clear communication

Willingness to iterate

Tools

Onshape

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Job description

About Ixian

Ixian Robotics is building intelligent machines to reindustrialize America. We're based in San Francisco and backed by a16z and Accel.

We believe robotics is a full-stack problem. Software, hardware, and machine learning are only part of it. Bridging advances in robot learning with America’s industrial base requires invention in how we understand customers, design products, navigate supply chains, and make the economics work. We're building a company that takes responsibility for all of it.

At Ixian, deployment isn't the final step after the "real innovation" is complete. Deploying robots is the point of robotics, and deployment is our forcing function for innovation. Putting a machine to work reveals what the lab can't: what breaks, what matters to the people using it, and what it will take to make our machines indispensable.

Robots are called machines when they work. We intend to build machines.

About the role

As a hardware intern at Ixian, you'll design, build, and test hardware for real robotics systems. Working directly with our engineers, you'll take on business critical projects, and own them from initial ideation through prototyping, testing, and design revisions.

The work is hands-on and spans mechanical design, fabrication, assembly, and testing. We're interested in people who enjoy making things, notice when the physical result differs from the design intent, and iterate aggressively to problem solve. Your projects will reflect your skills and the team's current needs.

What you'll do

• Design and revise parts, fixtures, and assemblies in CAD, considering how they will be manufactured, assembled, and tested.
• Build prototypes using available fabrication tools and processes, then document what worked and what needs to change.
• Implement design changes and drive iterative improvements.
• Define and run tests, collect measurements, and use the resulting data to make recommendations or drive improvements.
• Maintain clearly documented drawings, bills of materials, build notes, and test results.

What you'll bring

• Evidence of hands-on building through coursework, a robotics team, research, a previous internship, or personal projects. Photos and portfolios are welcome.
• Familiarity with a CAD tool such as Onshape, SolidWorks, or Fusion, and basic understanding of mechanical design and fabrication.
• Workshop knowledge of measurement, assembly, and safe tool use.
• Willingness to test assumptions, accept feedback, and revise a design when the evidence points to a better approach.
• Clear communication skills, dependable work ethic, the ability to self start, and an interest in physical robotic systems.

Location: San Francisco, On-site Schedule: Full-time Pay: $50-$75 per hour

Equal opportunity

Ixian Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.