Member of Technical Staff, Robotics Hardware

Darwin (YC F25); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin is building general-purpose robot technicians for data centers, focusing on assembly, commissioning, and maintenance with dexterity and precision. The team develops robots learned from demonstrations, creating hardware, software, and control systems to operate in real-world industrial environments.

The role targets exceptional engineers who can span mechanical, electrical, embedded, and controls, delivering production-ready robots with a strong bias toward reliability and deployment in

Qualifications

• You're an exceptional mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, or robotics engineer who loves building physical systems.
• Deep expertise in at least one hardware discipline and the ability to work across mechanical design, electronics, embedded systems, and controls.
• You're proficient in CAD, mechanical design, and rapid prototyping, with the ability to take hardware from concept through fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• You have high agency, move quickly, and take ownership from design through deployment.

Responsibilities

• Robot Design: Design and build robotic mechanisms, manipulators, and mobile systems.
• Dexterous Manipulation: Develop dexterous hands and end effectors for precise manipulation and tool use.
• Mechatronics: Design and integrate actuators, sensors, electronics, and embedded systems.
• Sensing & Control: Develop sensing and feedback systems for reliable physical interaction.
• Rapid Prototyping: Take hardware from concept through fabrication, assembly, testing, and iteration.
• Reliability & Deployment: Engineer robust robotic systems for real-world industrial environments.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Mechatronics

Robotics

Tools

CAD software

Job description

The Mission

Every machine is built and repaired by skilled hands. The world needs more of them. At Darwin, we're building general-purpose robot technicians that assemble and maintain the machines civilization runs on.

We're starting with data centers, where assembly, commissioning, and maintenance require dexterity, precision, and tool use.

Our robots learn these tasks from demonstrations rather than being explicitly programmed for each workflow. We're a small team building the intelligence, hardware, and company to bring these robots into the real world.

What You'll Work On

• Robot Design: Design and build robotic mechanisms, manipulators, and mobile systems.
• Dexterous Manipulation: Develop dexterous hands and end effectors for precise manipulation and tool use.
• Mechatronics: Design and integrate actuators, sensors, electronics, and embedded systems.
• Sensing & Control: Develop sensing and feedback systems for reliable physical interaction.
• Rapid Prototyping: Take hardware from concept through fabrication, assembly, testing, and iteration.
• Reliability & Deployment: Engineer robust robotic systems for real-world industrial environments.

Who You Are

You're an exceptional mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, or robotics engineer who loves building physical systems.

You have deep expertise in at least one hardware discipline and the ability to work across mechanical design, electronics, embedded systems, and controls.

You're proficient in CAD, mechanical design, and rapid prototyping, with the ability to take hardware from concept through fabrication, assembly, and testing.

You have high agency, move quickly, and take ownership from design through deployment. You care deeply about precision, reliability, and building production-ready robots.

Work Eligibility

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. We do not currently sponsor work visas.