Mechanical Engineer - Actuation

Frontdoor Defense; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Apptronik is seeking a Mechanical Engineer focused on actuation to advance electric actuators for a humanoid robot platform. You will lead design, validation, and testing, contributing to scalable, manufacturable solutions in a fast-paced startup setting in Austin, TX.

Responsibilities include detailed actuator design, prototyping, DVP&R, and collaboration with engineers across disciplines to optimize performance and packaging for mass production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 2+ years in development of actuation and/or robotic systems or similar]
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Responsibilities

• Contribute to detailed design and analysis of actuators (rotary and linear)
• Collaborate with a small cross-disciplinary team of engineers
• Participate in creative brainstorming for concept generation
• Conduct engineering analysis to drive design decisions
• Compare concepts via iterative design, prototype, assembly, and test
• Perform analysis (FEA, etc.) to optimize and validate design
• Create GD&T-informed drawings, a Bill of Material, and procurement documentation
• Produce assembly instructions and finalize project documentation
• Participate in pilot build of your designs
• Perform DVP&R to ensure design meets requirements
• Iterate on design to harden for scalability and DFMA

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Prototyping & testing

Team collaboration

Communication

Time management

Multitasking

Detail-oriented

Kinematics & dynamics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Creo

Job description

Mechanical Engineer - Actuation

Lead design and validation of electric actuators for a humanoid robot platform

Location: Austin, Texas

About The Role

Mechanical Engineer

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond. We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.

We're looking for highly motivated and talented engineers with hands-on experience and a passion for robotics to join our team. Specifically, we seek a Mechanical Engineer with proven capabilities in electric actuation design – electric motors, drivetrains, electromechanical packaging, joint/mechanism design, and testing to support the development of our next-generation humanoid robotics system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to detailed design and analysis of actuators (rotary and linear)
• Collaborate with a small cross-disciplinary team of engineers
• Participate in creative brainstorming for concept generation
• Conduct engineering analysis to drive design decisions
• Compare concepts via iterative design, prototype, assembly, and test
• Perform analysis (FEA, etc.) to optimize and validate design
• Create GD&T-informed drawings, a Bill of Material, and procurement documentation
• Produce assembly instructions and finalize project documentation
• Participate in pilot build of your designs
• Perform DVP&R to ensure design meets requirements
• Iterate on design to harden for scalability and DFMA

Skills and Requirements:

• Mastery of engineering fundamentals / first principles
• High proficiency in CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar)
• Demonstrated hands-on experience prototyping and testing mechanical components
• Attention to detail
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration
• Organizational and time management skills
• The ability to multi-task and manage conflicting deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Great team player able to perform within a dynamic start-up environment
• Knowledge of kinematics, structures (statics), dynamics, joints/mechanisms, and electromechanical packaging optimization

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in designing with planetary gears
• Hands-on experience in machining and 3D Printing
• Experience in humanoid/legged robotics
• Understanding of motor control systems and PCB layout principles

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 2+ years in development of actuation and/or robotic systems or similar

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate

Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.