Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team)

foundation-robotics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Job summary

Foundation is seeking engineers to advance humanoid robotics with a focus on extremely compact, tendon-driven hand mechanisms and high-performance actuation. The role emphasizes hands-on prototyping, rigorous testing, and iterative design to meet stringent strength and manufacturability criteria.

You will join a team focused on solving challenging manipulation problems in real-world environments, based in San Francisco.

Qualifications

• Shipped hard-to-build, hard-to-make-reliable products at industrial scale.
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and hands-on robotics experience.
• Experience with complex assemblies and kinematic systems under tight spatial constraints.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (CNC, injection molding, stamping, additive manufacturing).
• Familiarity with control systems and mechatronics; hands-on prototyping experience.

Responsibilities

• Tackle the hardest unsolved problems in robotics hardware, focusing on dexterous manipulation in real-world environments.
• Design and develop mechanical architectures for humanoid robotic hands, joints, structures, and tendon-driven systems.
• Select and integrate tendons, actuators, routing hardware, transmission mechanisms and electronics in space-constrained environments.
• Prototype, test, and iterate hand designs to meet strength, dexterity, durability, and manufacturability goals.
• Conduct stress, fatigue, and failure analyses; evaluate materials for strength, wear resistance, and flexibility.

Job description

About Us

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage. Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

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.

All positions are based in San Francisco.

Our Culture

We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

Why are We Hiring for this Role

• Tackle the hardest unsolved problem in robotics hardware: human-like dexterous manipulation in the real world
• Design and develop mechanical architectures for humanoid robotic hands, including joints, structures, and tendon-driven actuation systems.
• Design/select and integrate tendons, actuators, routing hardware, transmission mechanisms and electronics in extremely space-constrained environments
• Prototype, test, and iterate hand designs to meet strength, dexterity, durability, and manufacturability goals
• Conduct stress, fatigue, and failure analysis
• Select materials for tendons and structures (hard and soft) based on a variety of criteria: strength, friction, flexibility, wear resistance.
• Evaluate materials for flexibility, grip, and wear resistance, including soft materials where applicable

What Kind of Person are We Looking For

• Shipped hard-to-build, hard-to-make-reliable products at industrial scale
• Self starter, high accountability and high sense of ownership of their work
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and hands-on experience in robotics, automotive, or a related field
• Experience with complex assemblies and kinematic systems under tight spatial constraints
• Understanding of manufacturing processes (CNC machining, injection molding, stamping, additive manufacturing, etc.)
• Familiarity with control systems and mechatronics
• Hands-on prototyping experience
• Plus: Prior experience with tendon-driven systems and/or highly space-constrained moving mechanisms
• Plus: Experience integrating sensors (force, position, tactile) into mechanical systems

Benefits

• We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.) and equity. Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.

Salary

• The annual compensation is expected to be between $165,000 - $190,000+. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.