Lead Mechanical Engineer, Mobile Robot Drive & Base

Rhoda AI; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhoda AI is building the next generation of generalist intelligent robots. We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own the mobile base of a humanoid robot platform, including drivetrain, battery interface, suspension, and overall packaging of compute and power boards.

You will drive vendor engagement, actuator integration, and IP rating considerations while mentoring junior engineers. The role requires hands‑on hardware experience, strong CAD skills, and the ability to collaborate across

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field; MS preferred.
• 5+ years of mechanical design for mobile robots, vehicles, or complex electromechanical products.
• Demonstrated drivetrain design experience: wheels, motors, gearboxes, brakes; size actuators to dynamic needs.
• Experience collaborating with vendors on custom or semi‑custom components.
• Experience designing battery packs/interfaces with ergonomics and cycle life in mind.
• Experience packaging electronics with real thermal constraints; validate thermals by analysis and test.
• Knowledge of ingress protection design, sealing, gaskets, IP ratings.
• Expert CAD skills for complex parts and assemblies (Catia, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape).
• Hands‑on hardware experience: build prototypes, run tests, troubleshoot systems.
• Strong cross‑functional communication to drive requirements to closure across mechanical, electrical, software and design disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Own drivetrain architecture for the mobile base, selecting wheels and sourcing—drive to closure.
• Lead actuator selection and integration with motor and gearbox vendors; define specs and validation.
• Select and integrate braking solutions with interface to driver boards inside actuators.
• Own mechanical battery interface; specify connectors, tolerances, and ergonomic pack design.
• Design battery latch/retention with security, tactile feedback, and IP sealing considerations.
• Determine optimal suspension strategy considering payload, terrain, stability, ride quality, and cost.
• Package compute/power boards in the base; define thermal paths and validate thermal performance.
• Design structural cast base with casting vendors on alloy, draft, thickness, tolerances, machining.
• Define ingress protection strategy for the base: seals, gaskets, pass‑throughs, vents, drainage.
• Create/maintain CAD models, drawings, BOMs; plan prototype builds and test campaigns; mentor teammates.

Skills

Drivetrain design

Actuator integration

Vendor management

Battery interfaces

Thermal packaging

CAD proficiency

Prototyping & testing

IP rating understanding

Cross‑functional communication

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

CAD software (CATIA/SolidWorks/FS360/Onshape)

Job description

Rhoda AI is building the next generation of generalist intelligent robots. We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own the mobile base of a humanoid robot platform, including drivetrain, battery interface, suspension, and overall packaging of compute and power boards.

You will drive vendor engagement, actuator integration, and IP rating considerations while mentoring junior engineers. The role requires hands‑on hardware experience, strong CAD skills, and the ability to collaborate across