Mechanical Engineer, Robotic Actuator Test Systems

Precision Labs

San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY)

Hybrid

USD 110,000 - 160,000

Full time

11 days ago

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Job summary

OpenAI is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and own the mechanical side of our robotic actuator dynamometer and test infrastructure.

You will create test stands, fixtures, load paths, guarding, and serviceable lab hardware, taking the project from requirements through CAD, fabrication, and commissioning, partnering with electrical and software engineers to deliver safe, high-uptime test cells.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related field.
Experience designing mechanical systems for robotic actuator dynamometers or high-performance hardware.
Strong understanding of structures, load paths, shafts, bearings, fasteners, tolerances, alignment and vibration.
Experience designing fixtures, test stands, frames, guarding and precision interfaces.
Proficiency with CAD and drawing release workflows; NX, SolidWorks, Creo or equivalent.
Experience with structural/thermal/fatigue or modal analysis and applying results.
Hands-on assembly, machining, metrology, alignment, and troubleshooting in lab environments.
Familiarity with mechanical safety for rotating equipment, containment, interlocks, and safe operating envelopes.

Responsibilities

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 robotic actuator test requirements into robust mechanical 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 that protect test articles, load machines, sensors, and couplings.
Design modular fixturing that supports rapid changeover across actuator and motor variants without compromising measurement quality.
Work with electrical engineers on cable routing, enclosures, cooling, sensor packaging, and test-cell safety interfaces.
Work 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, using measurement and fabrication tools directly.
Develop guarding, containment, pinch-point mitigation, hard stops, and other mechanical safety systems for high-energy rotating equipment.
Manage fabrication partners and vendors for machined parts, weldments, bearings, couplings, sensors, and test-stand components.
Establish drawings, tolerance stacks, assembly procedures, inspection plans, and preventive-maintenance practices.
Use test observations and failure analysis to continuously improve durability, usability, uptime, and measurement fidelity.