Member of Technical Staff, Robotics Hardware

present of AI; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin is seeking a Member of Technical Staff, Robotics Hardware to design and build robot hardware end to end—from mechanisms and hands to actuators, sensors and embedded electronics.

The role emphasizes first principles design, fast iteration and bringing a system from concept to reliable use in industrial settings. Darwin develops general-purpose humanoid robots designed to learn physical manipulation tasks through real-world experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in hardware design from mechanisms to electronics.
• Ability to prototype and debug physical systems.
• Strong understanding of first principles design.

Responsibilities

• Design and build robot hardware end to end.
• Prototype fabrication and testing.
• Integrate actuators and sensors.
• Collaborate with AI learning teams.

Skills

Mechanisms design

End effectors

Actuator integration

Sensor integration

Embedded controls

Prototyping

Hands-on hardware

Tools

CAD - SolidWorks

PCB design

Embedded electronics

Job description

Member of Technical Staff, Robotics Hardware

The role asks for an engineer who can design and build robot hardware end to end, from mechanisms and hands to actuators, sensors and embedded electronics. A strong candidate has deep skill in one hardware area but can also work across mechanical design, electronics and controls, and is hands on with prototyping, assembly and debugging. The posting stresses first principles design, fast iteration and taking a system from concept into reliable use in industrial settings.

How it fits the AI era

The robots learn manipulation tasks from demonstrations rather than being programmed task by task, so the hardware must support learning and feedback in the physical world. AI shapes how these machines are trained and improved, but the hands, actuators and sensing that make precise tool use possible remain physical engineering work. The role sits at that meeting point, building bodies that can carry learned skills reliably.

How it builds AI experience

Work here would build familiarity with hardware that supports learning from demonstration, including sensing and feedback systems for dexterous manipulation. A candidate can prepare by getting hands on with robot arms, end effectors and embedded control, and by understanding how demonstration data feeds into robot behavior. Experience with reliable physical interaction in real environments is the most direct grounding.

Worth showing

• Mechanical design from first principles
• Dexterous hands and end effectors
• Actuator and sensor integration
• Embedded systems and controls
• Prototype fabrication and debugging

This is our own read, written from the employer's posting and the company's Spotlight. The employer's posting is the source of truth for the role.

About Darwin

Darwin develops general-purpose humanoid robots designed to learn physical manipulation tasks through real-world experience, per the company.