Manufacturing Engineer, Hands

1X; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vis

Generous paid time off & parentalLeave

401(k) with company match

FSA/HSA options

Commuter benefits

Job summary

1X is building humanoid robots for home use, scaling from prototype to full production. You will own critical processes across machining, assembly, inspection, and validation, with a focus on reducing variation, scrap, and rework while driving throughput and cost improvements.

The hands manufacturing team values velocity, detail, and cross‑functional collaboration. As part of the Hands Manufacturing group, you will push toward manufacturability, lead tooling and fixture development, and help

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years with a Bachelor’s or 3+ years with a Master’s in manufacturing engineering for mechanical or electromechanical products.
• Hands‑on experience developing precision assembly processes from prototype through production and sustaining.
• Proficiency with CAD, drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, tooling/fixture design, DFM/DFA, and statistical process validation.

Responsibilities

• Build the manufacturing systems that bring 1X robots to scale from prototype through production ramp.
• Own critical processes from prototype through production, developing robust machining, assembly, inspection, and validation methods.
• Question convention, test ideas quickly, learn from the floor, and turn what works into dependable production systems.
• Shape production readiness, hardware quality, and long‑term scalability of 1X robotic systems.
• Develop and release qualified tooling, fixtures, gauges, and stations with validated processes and controls.
• Drive manufacturing issues to root cause and implement durable corrective actions.

Skills

Hands‑on builder

Data‑driven decisions

DFM/DFA

Root‑cause troubleshooting

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Mechatronics

Tools

CAD

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Tooling/fixture design

Statistical process validation

Job description

About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.

About the Team:

The Hands Manufacturing group transforms visionary engineering into scalable, highly reliable hardware. We are architecting the foundational processes and complex systems for the planet’s most sophisticated humanoid hands and authoring the production playbook as we go.

Our team operates with extreme velocity, a relentless focus on detail, and zero ego. By partnering deeply with cross-functional peers, we dismantle ambiguity to make the impossible a tangible reality.

Your Charter:

Build the manufacturing systems that bring 1X robots to scale.

You will own critical processes from prototype through production, developing robust machining, assembly, inspection, and validation methods that improve quality, throughput, and repeatability.

Many of these problems have not been solved before. You will question convention, test ideas quickly, learn from the floor, and turn what works into dependable production systems. The standard is high, the feedback is physical, and no one is above picking up a tool.

Your work will directly shape the production readiness, hardware quality, and long‑term scalability of 1X robotic systems.

Key Outcomes:

• Own manufacturing readiness for hand assemblies from prototype through production ramp.
• Improve first-pass yield and process capability while reducing variation, scrap, and rework.
• Own cycle time, throughput, and cost for assigned manufacturing stations.
• Develop and release qualified tooling, fixtures, gauges, and stations with validated processes and controls.
• Drive manufacturing issues to root cause and implement durable corrective actions.

Key Competencies:

• Hands‑on process builder who works directly with technicians to build, measure, and iterate.
• Data‑driven decision maker using capability, yield, and inspection data to solve ambiguous problems.
• Strong DFM and DFA instincts with the ability to influence product design for manufacturability.
• End‑to‑end owner who drives processes from concept through qualified production.
• Clear cross‑functional communicator across design, quality, supply chain, suppliers, and production.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years with a Bachelor’s or 3+ years with a Master’s in manufacturing engineering for mechanical or electromechanical products.
• Hands‑on experience developing precision assembly processes from prototype through production and sustaining.
• Proficiency with CAD, drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, tooling/fixture design, DFM/DFA, and statistical process validation.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot manufacturing issues to root cause and implement production‑ready controls and corrective actions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience manufacturing robots, actuators, or other high‑complexity electromechanical assemblies.
• Experience scaling a low‑volume, high‑mix process into repeatable higher‑volume production using lean manufacturing, line balancing, automation, and traceability systems.
• Experience partnering with suppliers and contract manufacturers on process feasibility, tooling reviews, first‑article builds, and production readiness.

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like:

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

Compensation Range:

$148,000 - $181,000

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
• 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
• Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
• Short‑term and long‑term disability, and life insurance