Mechanical Design Engineer

Droyd; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A company specializing in robotic systems seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer to design and build mechanical subsystems from concept to prototype. This hands-on role involves using CAD, collaborating with electrical and software teams, and fabricating prototypes in a shop environment. Candidates should have a strong engineering portfolio and experience on hands-on engineering teams. The position is in California and requires in-person presence.

Qualifications

• Strong portfolio showcasing complete systems from concept to prototype.
• Experience on engineering teams like Formula SAE, aerospace, or robotics.
• Internship experience on hardware projects or startups.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical subsystem design from concept to prototype.
• Design parts in CAD, with hand calculations and FEA.
• Make decisions on materials and manufacturing methods.
• Integrate mechanical designs with electronics and actuators.
• Build prototypes using 3D printers and CNC equipment.

Skills

Hands-on engineering experience

Modern CAD tools proficiency

Understanding of manufacturing methods

Comfortable with hands-on fabrication

Tools

Onshape

Job description

About the team

Droyd builds autonomous robotic systems that automate repetitive manual work in real environments. Our robots operate in production settings, which means mechanical design has to be robust, manufacturable, and tightly integrated with electronics and control systems.

Our mechanical team designs the structures, linkages, and assemblies that make the robots real. This work moves fast and lives on the shop floor as much as it does in CAD.

About the role

As a Mechanical Design Engineer at Droyd, you’ll own mechanical subsystems from first sketch through working prototype. You’ll design, build, break, and iterate on real hardware.

This is a hands‑on role. You’ll spend time in CAD, but also at the printer, in the shop, and on the robot. You’ll work closely with electrical, software, and robotics teams to bring systems together.

This role is based in Burlingame, CA. We’re an in‑person company. We build faster that way.

In this role, you’ll

• Own mechanical subsystem design from concept to prototype and iteration
• Design parts and assemblies in CAD, supported by hand calculations and FEA when needed
• Design for rapid prototyping methods including 3D printing and CNC machining
• Make decisions on materials, tolerances, and manufacturing methods
• Integrate mechanical designs with motors, sensors, electronics, and actuators
• Build prototypes yourself using 3D printers, shop tools, and CNC equipment
• Work closely with manufacturing to turn designs into physical hardware quickly

We’re looking for someone who

• Has a strong portfolio showing complete systems taken from concept to physical prototype
• Has experience on hands‑on engineering teams such as Formula SAE, aerospace clubs, or robotics teams
• Has internship or early‑career experience on real hardware projects or at hardware startups
• Is proficient with modern CAD tools (Onshape preferred, but not required)
• Understands manufacturing methods, tolerancing, and assembly workflows
• Is comfortable with hands‑on fabrication and rapid iteration

Nice to have

• Experience with FEA, topology optimization, or generative design
• Exposure to electronics, controls, or mechatronic systems
• Interest in industrial or visual design alongside functional engineering

About Droyd

Droyd builds autonomous robotic systems to automate manual work for enterprises. We design the hardware, write the control stack, and deploy robots that operate in real environments.

If we do this right, robots stop being prototypes and start being infrastructure.

Join us and help build hardware that ships.