Mechanical Engineering Co-op - Humanoid robotics

mundane; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

mundane in Palo Alto seeks a hands-on Mechanical Engineer co-op to design and build the physical hardware of our teleoperated humanoid robots. You'll own parts from CAD to machined prototypes and work with mechanical, controls, electrical and software teams.

You will prototype in-house, make manufacturing drawings, and test rigs, with real parts that ship with the robot. Enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program, you should have CAD skills and hands-on fabrication experience.

Qualifications

• Student in Bachelor's or Master's program in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering or Robotics.
• Strong CAD skills with designs that were actually built.
• Solid understanding of mechanisms, materials, fasteners and power transmission.
• Hands-on fabrication experience with mill, lathe, or 3D printer.
• Bias for action and ownership of work end to end.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and iterate robot components and sub-assemblies with ownership over parts.
• Support actuator and drivetrain development through design, assembly and testing.
• Prototype rapidly using in-house machining, 3D printing and fabrication.
• Create drawings and prepare parts for manufacturing (CNC, sheet metal, 3D printing).
• Run first-principles calculations to check and justify design decisions.
• Build test rigs and fixtures, then iterate and harden hardware.
• Collaborate with controls and electrical teams on sensor integration and routing.
• Assist with robot assembly, maintenance and field demos.

Skills

CAD design

Fabrication experience

Mechatronics

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Mechatronics/Aerospace/Robotics

Tools

SolidWorks

Onshape

NX

Job description

Start Date: Winter 2027 (January), or flexible

Duration: 4-8 months (one or two co-op terms)

About

You'll help design and build the physical hardware of our teleoperated humanoid robots: actuators, limbs, end effectors and the structures that hold them together. Few people have done this before, so you won't be doing make-work. You'll own real parts and subsystems that end up on the robot, and you'll work alongside the engineers making the calls on architecture, materials and manufacturing.

This is a hands-on role for someone who builds things because they can't help it. You'll go from napkin sketch to CAD to machined part to a working robot in days, not quarters. You'll work closely with the mechanical, controls, electrical and software teams, and you'll leave with hardware in the field that you designed.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and iterate on robot components and sub-assemblies (arms, hands, torso, actuators and end effectors), with real ownership over your parts
• Support actuator and drivetrain development (e.g., harmonic, cycloidal or planetary reducers, belt and cable drives) through design, assembly and testing
• Rapidly prototype using in-house machining, 3D printing and fabrication; you'll be in the shop turning CAD into real parts
• Make drawings and prepare parts for manufacturing (CNC, sheet metal, 3D printing), and work with vendors and machine shops on quotes and fabrication
• Run first-principles calculations (structural, thermal, kinematic) to check and justify design decisions
• Build test rigs and fixtures, then break, iterate and harden hardware based on what fails
• Work with controls and electrical teams on sensor integration, cable routing, thermal management and URDF/model accuracy
• Help with robot assembly, maintenance and repairs, including field testing and customer demos

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics or a related field
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, Onshape, NX or similar), with parts or assemblies you designed that were actually built
• Solid understanding of mechanisms, materials, fasteners, bearings and power transmission
• Familiarity with design for manufacturing, tolerancing and GD&T
• Hands-on fabrication experience: you've used a mill, lathe, 3D printer or similar yourself, not just sent files out
• Bias for action: comfortable moving fast, asking for help when you're stuck, and owning your work end to end

Bonus

• Serious personal hardware projects or design team experience (Formula SAE, rocketry, robotics competitions, built your own CNC or vehicle, etc.); please tell us about them
• Previous co-op or internship at a hardtech company (robotics, aerospace, defense, EV)
• Experience with robotic actuators, legged robots, humanoids or dexterous hands
• Exposure to designing for harsh or hazardous environments (high voltage, outdoor, field-deployed)
• FEA or thermal simulation experience (ANSYS, Abaqus or similar)