Hardware, Special Projects Lead

Kindredventures; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI. This role leads the development of hardware to expand what Mecka can capture for robot learning, moves from concept to validated prototypes, and drives deployment to real-world environments.

You will shape complete systems whose performance determines how much useful robot experience can be learned. As a hands-on technical leader, you will define the architecture, build prototypes, and guide engineering and supplier

Qualifications

• Experience taking a complete hardware or robotics system from early prototypes through validation and deployment.
• Hands-on expertise in mechanical design, electronics, embedded software, or other core hardware discipline.
• Ability to define product requirements and evaluate performance, cost, power, reliability, and manufacturing.
• Strong experimentation, integration, and debugging skills for full system evaluation.
• Experience guiding engineers and suppliers through technical decisions and design reviews.

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 leadership

Mechanical design

Electronics

Embedded software

System tradeoffs

Experimentation & debugging

Vendor guidance

Job description

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%.

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.