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

Foundation Robotics Lab; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401k plan

Job summary

A robotics company is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to design and develop vehicle body and structural architecture for autonomous vehicles. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in structural mechanical systems, strong CAD proficiency, and experience with fabrication processes. The role involves using simulation tools for design decisions and collaborating closely with engineering teams. The expected annual salary is between $115,000 - $150,000, with market standard benefits provided.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience designing and building structural mechanical systems.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD tools with disciplined assemblies and tolerancing.
• Experience using FEA and simulation tools to inform design decisions.
• Comfortable with fabrication processes.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body and structural architecture.
• Own structural performance from concept to prototype.
• Engineer frame systems with optimized stiffness-to-weight ratio.
• Drive rapid prototyping efforts using CNC machining and fabrication.
• Design robust joints and interfaces for harsh environments.
• Collaborate with engineering teams for integrated vehicle architecture.

Skills

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

Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar)

Experience using FEA and simulation tools (ANSYS, ADAMS)

Practical experience with fabrication processes such as welding, machining, and sheet metal

Solid understanding of materials and their trade-offs

Experience designing for harsh environments

Ability to think in systems

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

ANSYS

ADAMS

Job description

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

About Foundation: Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics and electric mobility with 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 $115,000 - $150,000+. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.