Mechanical Design Engineer

Socket.dev; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive equity

Job summary

Socket.dev in San Francisco is seeking a hands-on Mechanical Design Engineer to own robotic subsystems from concept through prototypes and production-ready designs. You'll work across materials, tolerances, manufacturing, and integration to deliver reliable hardware for demanding real-world environments.

The role requires 2–5 years of mechanical engineering experience, a BS in mechanical engineering, and a strong portfolio in robotics or hardware; proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks, Fusion

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• Strong portfolio showing concept-to-physical-prototype work in robotics or hardware.
• Proficiency with CAD tools and hands-on prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Own mechanical subsystems from concept through prototype, test, iteration, and production.
• Select materials, define tolerances, and design for manufacturability.
• Create and refine parts and assemblies using CAD.
• Build and test prototypes with 3D printing, CNC machining, and shop tools.
• Integrate motors, sensors, electronics, and actuators into robotic systems.
• Collaborate with hardware team to solve engineering problems in deployed systems.

Skills

Mechanical design

CAD proficiency

Prototyping

Robotics hardware

Tolerance & manufacturability

Material selection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Eng.

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

Onshape

Job description

About the company

Our client builds autonomous robots for physical data center operations. Its in-house hardware supports production infrastructure work including GPU repairs, cabling, SSD replacements, and rack buildouts. The team is looking for a hands-on mechanical engineer who wants to take complex robotic systems from concept through real-world prototypes.

The role

We are hiring a Mechanical Design Engineer to own critical robotic subsystems from early concepts through physical prototypes and production-ready designs. You will work across materials, tolerances, manufacturing, and integration, helping create reliable hardware for demanding real-world environments.

What you'll do

• Own mechanical subsystems from concept through prototype, test, iteration, and production.
• Select materials, define tolerances, and design for manufacturability.
• Create and refine parts, assemblies, and mechanisms using CAD.
• Build and test prototypes with 3D printing, CNC machining, and hands-on shop tools.
• Integrate motors, sensors, electronics, and actuators into robotic arms and mobile bases.
• Collaborate closely with the hardware team to solve practical engineering problems in deployed systems.

What we're looking for

• 2 to 5 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• A strong portfolio showing concept-to-physical-prototype work in robotics or other hardware products.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape, or an equivalent.
• Experience with 3D printing, CNC machining, and shop tools.
• Strong judgment around materials, tolerances, manufacturing, and mechanical integration.

Bonus points

• Experience with FEA or topology optimization.
• Experience designing for robotic arms, mobile bases, or electromechanical systems.
• Experience moving hardware from prototype to production.

Compensation and benefits

• Base salary of $150K to $250K.
• Competitive equity.

Location and work model

• Five days per week onsite in San Francisco.
• Full-time position.
• Visa sponsorship and transfers are not available.