Mechanical Design Engineer, Body Structures, Frame (Autonomous Vehicle Team)

Foundation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision & dental benefits

401k plan

Job summary

Foundation is building the future of general purpose robotics and electric mobility, aiming to save lives and augment human labor. We seek exceptional engineers and scientists whose talent and determination matter more than previous robotics experience.

Join a team that values diverse perspectives and a proven record of delivering reliable, high-performance structures for extreme environments. We offer market-standard benefits and a mission-driven culture as we push the boundaries of autonomous

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and building structural mechanical systems.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD with a disciplined approach to assemblies and tolerancing.
• Experience using FEA and simulation tools for structural, fatigue, and modal analysis.
• Practical fabrication experience including welding, machining and sheet metal.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop the vehicle body and structural architecture for extreme multi-environment conditions.
• Own structural performance from concept through prototype using FEA and simulation to iterate.
• Engineer frame systems with optimized stiffness-to-weight ratio across materials.
• Drive rapid prototyping by translating CAD designs into physical builds.
• Design robust joints and interfaces for harsh environments and long-term serviceability.
• Collaborate with robotics, suspension, and systems engineering for integrated vehicle architecture.

Skills

3D CAD proficiency

FEA/simulation experience

Fabrication experience

Materials science knowledge

Systems integration mindset

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

ANSYS

ADAMS

Job description

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics andelectric mobilitywith the goal to save lives and augment human labor.

Our mission is to create an autonomous, crewless ATV built to be truly all-terrain. Designed for commercial and defense use, it can save lives and take on heavy transport across mining, agriculture, construction, and more.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Why We Are Hiring for This Role:

• Design and develop the vehicle body and structural architecture to perform across extreme multi-environment conditions—from high-impact off-road shock loads to full water submersion and long-term vibration fatigue


• Own structural performance from concept through prototype, using FEA and simulation-driven design to rapidly iterate on geometries, reduce material usage, and accelerate development cycles


• Engineer frame systems that achieve an optimized stiffness-to-weight ratio through thoughtful material selection across steel alloys, aluminum extrusions, and composite structures.


• Drive rapid prototyping efforts by translating CAD designs into physical builds using CNC machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, and additive manufacturing


• Design robust joints and interfaces that account for thermal expansion, corrosion between dissimilar metals, and long-term serviceability in harsh environments


• Collaborate closely with robotics, suspension, and systems engineering to co-develop structural hardpoints, mounting interfaces, and routing pathways as part of a fully integrated vehicle architecture

What Kind of Person We Are Looking For:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and building structural mechanical systems


• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar), with a disciplined approach to assemblies, tolerancing, and managing complex multi-part systems


• Experience using FEA and simulation tools (ANSYS, ADAMS, or similar) to inform design decisions, including structural, fatigue, and modal analysis


• Practical experience with fabrication processes such as welding, machining, and sheet metal—comfortable working between CAD and the shop floor


• Solid understanding of materials and their trade-offs in structural applications, including strength, fatigue, corrosion resistance, and weight


• Experience designing for harsh environments, including water exposure, corrosion, and sealing of structural systems


• Ability to think in systems—designing structures that integrate cleanly with actuators, wiring, fluid systems, and sensors from the outset


• We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.


• The annual compensation is expected to be between $125,000 - $165,000+. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.