Hardware, Special Projects Lead

Mecka; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecka is seeking a hands-on hardware leader to drive the development of systems that expand what we can capture for robot learning. You will turn ambitious ideas into working hardware, then validate, manufacture, and deploy them in field-ready form.

You will define the product architecture, build prototypes, lead reviews across mechanics, electronics, sensing, and software, and work with suppliers to deliver reproducible hardware.

Qualifications

• Experience taking a complete hardware or robotics system from early prototypes through validation and deployment.
• Deep hands-on expertise in mechanical design, electronics, embedded software, or another core hardware discipline.
• Ability to define product requirements and make system tradeoffs involving performance, cost, power, reliability, and manufacturing.
• Strong experimental, integration, and debugging skills, with the ability to evaluate the complete system.
• Experience guiding engineers and suppliers through technical decisions, design reviews, and difficult development problems.

Responsibilities

• Translate user needs and technical goals into clear product requirements and measurable acceptance criteria.
• Choose system architectures and build prototypes that test the hardest assumptions early.
• Lead technical reviews and resolve problems across mechanics, electronics, sensing, and software using experiments and measurements.
• Work with suppliers and deployment teams to turn validated prototypes into reproducible hardware that performs reliably in the field.

Skills

Hardware system

Mechanical design

Electronics

Embedded software

Product requirements

System tradeoffs

Experimental/debugging

Engineering leadership

Job description

About Mecka AI

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI.

About Mecka AI

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI.
We design and operate global systems for data capture, data labeling, and hardware-enabled workflows used by leading AI labs and robotics companies to train and validate humanoid and embodied AI systems.
We work closely with frontier robotics teams to bridge real-world data, simulation, learning-based systems, and deployed hardware.

The Role

Lead the development of hardware that expands what Mecka can capture for robot learning. You will turn an ambitious product idea into a working system, then carry it through validation, manufacturing, and deployment.
This is hands-on technical leadership. You will define the product, choose its architecture, and build the prototypes that resolve the hardest questions. The opportunity is to shape complete systems whose performance and usability determine how much useful experience robots can learn from.

What You'll Do

• Translate user needs and technical goals into clear product requirements and measurable acceptance criteria.
• Choose system architectures and build prototypes that test the hardest assumptions early.
• Lead technical reviews and resolve problems across mechanics, electronics, sensing, and software using experiments and measurements.
• Work with suppliers and deployment teams to turn validated prototypes into reproducible hardware that performs reliably in the field.

What You Bring

Must-have:

• Experience taking a complete hardware or robotics system from early prototypes through validation and deployment.
• Deep hands-on expertise in mechanical design, electronics, embedded software, or another core hardware discipline.
• Ability to define product requirements and make system tradeoffs involving performance, cost, power, reliability, and manufacturing.
• Strong experimental, integration, and debugging skills, with the ability to evaluate the complete system.
• Experience guiding engineers and suppliers through technical decisions, design reviews, and difficult development problems.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with precision tracking, synchronized sensor systems, or moving research hardware into production.

A Note on Applying

Studies show women and candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they meet 100% of the listed qualifications, while others apply after meeting 60%. If you don't check every box above but believe you can do the job, we encourage you to apply — we're looking for capability and trajectory, not a perfect checklist match.

Inclusive Hiring at Mecka

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive candidate experience. Should you require any accommodation whatsoever during the interview process, please inform us without any hesitation. Mecka is dedicated to ensuring equal treatment and opportunity in all phases of recruitment, selection, and employment, in compliance with employment law. We do not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other protected category. Mecka is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, fostering a culture of inclusivity and maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Mecka uses artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly to support administrative and efficiency-focused aspects of our recruitment process. This includes activities such as drafting job descriptions, generating interview questions, note-taking and recordings, and supporting sourcing and scheduling workflows. All candidate evaluations, interviews, and hiring decisions are made by members of the Mecka team. While AI tools may assist with screening and assessment, they do not replace human judgment in selection decisions. Our use of AI is intended to streamline routine tasks, improve consistency, and enhance the overall candidate experience. We are committed to upholding principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in all hiring activities. Mecka regularly reviews its recruitment practices to mitigate bias and to ensure alignment with applicable laws and evolving best practices.

Compensation Range: CA$180K - CA$240K