Mechanical Engineer

Whelix; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early-stage equity

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Paid time off & sick leave

Front-row seat to building a startup

Job summary

Whelix, a Boston-based startup, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, prototype and test the mechanical systems on our robots used in biotech labs. This full-time, on-site role reports to the CTO and offers equity and comprehensive benefits.

You will work with CAD, prototype parts, and collaborate with electrical and software engineers to turn hardware concepts into reliable, buildable systems for customer labs, with exposure to product, fundraising and operations within a fast-moving

Qualifications

• BS, MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Proficient in CAD (Onshape, Fusion 360 or similar).
• Hands-on prototyping and mechanical assembly experience.
• Strong problem-solving and robotics interest.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine mechanical assemblies, enclosures and motion systems in CAD.
• Build and test prototypes, from 3D-printed parts to full assemblies.
• Design fixtures and test rigs to validate mechanical performance.
• Improve robustness, ease of assembly and manufacturability, coordinating with fabrication vendors.
• Take designs from prototype to working hardware in the lab with other engineers.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Team collaboration

Robotics interest

Problem solving

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Onshape

Fusion 360

Job description

Whelix builds AI-native robots that automate wet lab work, starting with cell culture. We are a Boston-based startup deploying into pharma and biotech today. We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, prototype and test the mechanical systems on our robots. This is a full-time, hands-on, on-site role in Boston, MA, reporting to the CTO. Salary is $80,000 to $100,000 per year plus early-stage equity, with medical, dental and vision benefits.

About WhelixWhelix builds intelligent robots that automate wet lab work, starting with cell culture, for biotech and pharmaceutical research. By integrating AI agents with proprietary engineered robotics, our systems eliminate repetitive, error-prone workflows, freeing scientists to focus on discovery while increasing experimental throughput, reproducibility, and scientific impact. Based in Boston, Whelix is deploying systems into pharmaceutical, biotech and academic labs today and actively scaling up production to serve more customers.

DescriptionRole OverviewAs a Mechanical Engineer, you will design, prototype and test the mechanical systems on our robots, including motion systems, fluidics, structures and enclosures, and help turn hardware concepts into reliable, buildable systems that run in customer labs. You will work side by side with our mechanical, electrical and robotics software engineers, and with the scientists who use the machine. This is a full-time, hands-on, on-site role in Boston, reporting to the CTO.

Compensation & BenefitsSalary: $80,000 to $100,000 per yearEarly-stage equityMedical, dental and vision insurancePaid time off and paid sick leavePerks & Growth OpportunitiesOwnership of real hardware, from CAD to working parts on the robotA front-row seat to building a startup, with exposure to product, strategy, fundraising and operationsWork at the intersection of AI, robotics and life sciencesClose collaboration with engineers, scientists and industry partnersAccess to Boston's robotics and deep-tech community through MassRobotics and The Engine

What you'll do

• Design and refine mechanical assemblies, enclosures and motion systems in CAD
• Build and test prototypes quickly, from 3D-printed and laser-cut parts to full assemblies
• Design fixtures and test rigs to validate mechanical performance
• Improve the robustness, ease of assembly and manufacturability of our designs, working with fabrication vendors
• Take designs from prototype to working hardware in the lab with our electrical and software engineers
• Join design reviews, field tests and problem-solving sessions with the team

What we're looking for

• BS, MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Proficient in CAD (Onshape, Fusion 360 or similar)
• Hands-on experience with prototyping and mechanical assembly, from industry, internships, co-ops or research
• Strong problem-solving skills and a real interest in robotics or automation

Nice to have

• Experience with motion systems, fluidics, or sheet-metal and machined part design
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA and working with fabrication vendors
• Exposure to biotech, lab automation or wet-lab environments