Mechanical Engineer, Dynamometer and Actuator Testing Infrastructure

Jobtailor; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in San Francisco is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and own the mechanical side of robotic actuator dynamometer test infrastructure. You will create test stands, fixtures, load paths, guarding, and serviceable lab hardware, taking concepts from requirements through CAD, fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and iteration.

You will own the mechanical architecture of dynamometer test cells, including frames, bases, load paths, alignment, guarding, and serviceability, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Experience designing mechanical systems for robotic actuator dynamometers, robotics, automation, rotating machinery, aerospace, automotive, or similar high-performance hardware.
• Strong understanding of structures, load paths, shafts, bearings, couplings, fasteners, tolerances, alignment, and vibration.
• Experience designing fixtures, test stands, frames, guarding, and precision mechanical interfaces.
• Proficiency with CAD and drawing release workflows; NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with structural, thermal, fatigue, or modal analysis and applying results to practical hardware decisions.
• Hands-on experience with assembly, metrology, alignment, and troubleshooting in a lab or prototype environment.
• Familiarity with mechanical safety for rotating equipment, containment, interlocks, and safe operating envelopes.
• Ability to work from the US office three days per week; Authorization to work in the country where the job is located.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and own the mechanical side of robotic actuator dynamometer and test infrastructure
• Create test stands, couplings, fixtures, load paths, guarding, and serviceable lab hardware
• Take actuator test infrastructure from requirements and analysis through CAD, fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and iteration
• Own the mechanical architecture of dynamometer and actuator test cells, including frames, bases, load paths, alignment, guarding, and serviceability
• Design dynamometer structures, robotic actuator fixtures, load-motor mounts, couplings, shafts, bearings, adapters, and torque-reaction hardware
• Translate actuator test requirements into systems for torque, speed, thermal, durability, backdrive, efficiency, and failure testing
• Perform first-principles analysis and simulation for stiffness, strength, fatigue, vibration, thermal growth, critical speed, and safety factors
• Create precise, repeatable alignment strategies
• Design modular fixturing for rapid changeover across actuator and motor variants
• Partner with electrical engineers on cable routing, enclosures, cooling, sensor packaging, and test-cell safety interfaces
• Partner with software and controls engineers to define mechanical limits, safe operating envelopes, and automated-test constraints
• Build, assemble, debug, and improve test stands in the lab
• Develop guarding, containment, pinch-point mitigation, hard stops, and other mechanical safety systems
• Manage fabrication partners and vendors
• Establish drawings, tolerance stacks, assembly procedures, inspection plans, and preventive-maintenance practices
• Use test observations and failure analysis to improve durability, usability, uptime, and measurement fidelity

Skills

CAD proficiency

Dynamometer design

Mechanical testing

Structural analysis

Lab troubleshooting

Tolerance and alignment

Safety systems

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or related field

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Creo

Job description

• Design, build, and own the mechanical side of robotic actuator dynamometer and test infrastructure
• Create test stands, couplings, fixtures, load paths, guarding, and serviceable lab hardware
• Take actuator test infrastructure from requirements and analysis through CAD, fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and iteration
• Own the mechanical architecture of dynamometer and actuator test cells, including frames, bases, load paths, alignment, guarding, and serviceability
• Design dynamometer structures, robotic actuator fixtures, load-motor mounts, couplings, shafts, bearings, adapters, and torque-reaction hardware
• Translate actuator test requirements into systems for torque, speed, thermal, durability, backdrive, efficiency, and failure testing
• Perform first-principles analysis and simulation for stiffness, strength, fatigue, vibration, thermal growth, critical speed, and safety factors
• Create precise, repeatable alignment strategies
• Design modular fixturing for rapid changeover across actuator and motor variants
• Partner with electrical engineers on cable routing, enclosures, cooling, sensor packaging, and test-cell safety interfaces
• Partner with software and controls engineers to define mechanical limits, safe operating envelopes, and automated-test constraints
• Build, assemble, debug, and improve test stands in the lab
• Develop guarding, containment, pinch-point mitigation, hard stops, and other mechanical safety systems
• Manage fabrication partners and vendors
• Establish drawings, tolerance stacks, assembly procedures, inspection plans, and preventive-maintenance practices
• Use test observations and failure analysis to improve durability, usability, uptime, and measurement fidelity

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field (preferred qualification)
• Experience designing mechanical systems for robotic actuator dynamometers, robotics, automation, rotating machinery, aerospace, automotive, or similar high-performance hardware
• Strong understanding of structures, load paths, shafts, bearings, couplings, fasteners, tolerances, alignment, and vibration
• Experience designing fixtures, test stands, frames, guarding, and precision mechanical interfaces
• Proficiency with CAD and drawing release workflows; NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent experience
• Experience with structural, thermal, fatigue, or modal analysis and applying results to practical hardware decisions
• Hands-on experience with assembly, machining, metrology, alignment, and troubleshooting in a lab or prototype environment
• Familiarity with mechanical safety for rotating equipment, containment, interlocks, and safe operating envelopes
• Ability to work from the US office three days per week
• Authorization to work in the country where the job is located

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in designing and building mechanical systems for robotic actuator dynamometers, including proficiency in CAD software and hands-on experience in assembly and testing. Strong understanding of mechanical safety, structural analysis, and precision mechanical interfaces is essential.