Mechanical Design Engineer, Dexterous Robotic Hands

Mind Robotics; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mind Robotics is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for the Hands team in Palo Alto to design, prototype, and scale the mechanical architecture of dexterous hands and fingers. You will work at the intersection of precision mechanics, tactile sensing, and advanced manufacturing to build durable hardware that directly interacts with the physical world.

The role demands 3+ years of experience in miniaturized electromechanical systems, proficiency in CAD tools, and hands-on problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Experience designing mechanical systems for dexterous hands or miniaturized electromechanical devices.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, Catia) and mechanical tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with design for manufacturing and working with contract manufacturers.
• Hands-on, fast-iteration problem solving across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design and development of mechanical components and assemblies for dexterous hands—fingers, linkages, transmissions, and palm structures.
• Own designs from concept through production, ensuring load, durability, form factor, and packaging in compact envelopes.
• Rapidly build, test, and validate prototypes using 3D printing, CNC machining, and manual fabrication.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, and wire harnesses into compact geometries, collaborating with sensing and actuation teams.
• Create 2D drawings with GD&T and drive parts through supplier selection and production ramp.
• Develop test plans to validate hand lifetime under grasp cycles, impact, and wear.
• Conduct basic analyses (tolerance, structural, thermal) to validate decisions.
• Collaborate with electrical, firmware, controls, and industrial design teams to integrate the hand into the robot system.

Skills

Mechanical design

Prototype development

3+ years experience

SolidWorks

Catia

Electromechanical integration

Design for manufacturing

Tolerance analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

3D printing

CNC machining

Job description

Mind Robotics is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for the Hands team in Palo Alto to design, prototype, and scale the mechanical architecture of dexterous hands and fingers. You will work at the intersection of precision mechanics, tactile sensing, and advanced manufacturing to build durable hardware that directly interacts with the physical world.

The role demands 3+ years of experience in miniaturized electromechanical systems, proficiency in CAD tools, and hands-on problem-solving.