Principal Mechatronics Engineer

Outrider; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Parental Leave

401(K) Retirement

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Life insurance

Pet insurance

Mental health benefits

Professional Development Benefits

Relocation assistance offered

Job summary

Outrider in Denver, CO seeks a Principal Mechatronics Engineer to own the full lifecycle—from concept to production—of our robotic arm and end effectors. You will shape mechanical architecture, drive reliability, and set design standards for scalable, field-ready hardware.

You will mentor a team of mechanical engineers, work cross-functionally with software and electrical teams, and ensure the hardware meets safety and performance goals for enterprise automation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in integrated hardware/software systems such as robotics or industrial automation.
• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience owning mechanical system architecture end-to-end.
• Expertise in machined parts, weldments, sheet metal, assemblies with full GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Experience applying DFM to cost-effective, scalable hardware.
• Experience leading reliability programs (FMEA/FTA) on fielded hardware.
• Proficiency with FEA and guiding design decisions using simulations.
• Experience with PDM systems and formal part release processes.
• Experience designing and integrating sensors into electromechanical systems.
• Track record mentoring engineers and raising team technical quality.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of advanced robotic manipulation from requirements to field release.
• Define and maintain engineering standards for CAD, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and documentation.
• Apply DFM throughout design, collaborating with vendors and contract manufacturers.
• Lead design reviews and provide technical mentorship to Mechanical Engineer I/II.
• Partner with software, electrical, and systems teams to define HW/SW interface requirements.
• Evaluate and select vendors; lead supplier development for critical hardware.
• Lead reliability initiatives, including FMEA/DFMEA, design for reliability, and corrective actions.
• Identify and resolve mechanical risks before field failure.

Skills

Hardware design

GD&T

DFM (design for manufacturing)

FMEA

FEA

PDM systems

Sensor integration

Mentoring

Python/C++ basics

Safety standards (IEC 61508/ISO 26262)

Education

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

FEA tools

PDM systems

Python

C++

Job description

The Company

Outrider, the pioneer in autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, helps large enterprises improve safety and increase efficiency. The only company exclusively focused on automating all aspects of yard operations, Outrider eliminates manual tasks that are hazardous and repetitive. Outrider’s mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation by deploying zero‑emission systems. Outrider is a private company backed by NEA, 8VC, Koch Disruptive Technologies, and other top‑tier investors. For more information, visit www.outrider.ai

The Company

Outrider, the pioneer in autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, helps large enterprises improve safety and increase efficiency. The only company exclusively focused on automating all aspects of yard operations, Outrider eliminates manual tasks that are hazardous and repetitive. Outrider’s mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation by deploying zero‑emission systems. Outrider is a private company backed by NEA, 8VC, Koch Disruptive Technologies, and other top‑tier investors. For more information, visit www.outrider.ai

The Role

The Principal Mechatronics Engineer will report to the Senior Manager of Hardware Engineering and will own the full lifecycle—design, prototyping, DFX, and production—of our next‑generation robotic arm and end effectors for advanced manipulation. This role owns mechanical architecture from concept through field deployment, setting engineering standards and driving design decisions that shape the reliability and scalability of the product.

This is a high-impact, hands-on technical leadership role for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of rigorous analysis and practical field reality. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in electromechanical systems, a strong reliability and durability mindset, and the ability to mentor and elevate a team of mechanical engineers.

This role is mission‑critical for helping deliver a safety‑critical system for industrial automation. The opportunity offers a technical, hands‑on team member the chance to help develop a market‑defining enterprise product that combines autonomous vehicle technology with a software‑as‑a‑service (SaaS) business model.

The ideal candidate will embrace our goal to drive zero‑emission, self-driving vehicle adoption, and help us realize our potential to define, build, and lead a new category of robotic automation for the enterprise.

This role is based in Denver, CO. Hybrid/remote candidates will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of advanced robotic manipulation, including end effector, actuation, and hardware systems, from requirements definition through design, validation, and field release
• Define and maintain engineering standards for CAD, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and documentation across the mechanical team
• Apply design for manufacturability (DFM) principles throughout the design process, collaborating with vendors and contract manufacturers to ensure designs are producible, cost-effective, and scalable from prototype to production volumes
• Lead design reviews and provide technical mentorship to Mechanical Engineer I/II team members
• Partner with software, electrical, and systems engineering teams to define HW/SW interface requirements and ensure integrated system performance
• Evaluate and select vendors and components; lead supplier development efforts for critical or custom hardware
• Lead reliability initiatives, including failure mode analysis (FMEA/FTA), design for reliability, and systematic corrective action to improve durability, safety, and lifecycle cost across the fleet
• Identify and resolve systemic mechanical risks across the product line before they reach the field

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience with integrated hardware/software systems such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other industrial automation products
• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated experience owning mechanical system architecture end‑to‑end, including requirements, design, analysis, and validation
• Deep expertise in designing and documenting machined parts, weldments, sheet metal, and assemblies with full GD&T and tolerance stack‑up analysis
• Experience applying DFM principles to machined parts, sheet metal, weldments, and molded or cast components, with demonstrated ability to reduce part complexity and manufacturing cost without compromising performance
• Experience leading reliability programs — FMEA, root cause analysis, corrective action — on fielded hardware systems
• Proficiency with FEA and the ability to guide others in applying simulation to design decisions
• Experience with PDM systems and formal part release processes
• Experience designing and integrating sensors into electromechanical systems
• Track record of mentoring engineers and raising the technical quality of a team

Ideal Qualifications

• Experience with robotic manipulator design, including joint design, linkage synthesis, and actuation selection
• Experience designing hardware for hardened outdoor environments (ingress protection, thermal cycling, vibration, shock)
• Familiarity with cable harness design and sensor wiring in integrated systems
• Working knowledge of Python and/or C++ for test automation or hardware‑in‑the‑loop validation
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or similar) in the context of safety‑critical hardware design

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $170,000 - $200,000
• Actual compensation is based on several factors, including but not limited to job‑related skills, qualifications, experience, and specific work location due to differences in the cost of labor
• Relocation assistance offered
• Equity: equity package commensurate on experience and skills
• Health Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Parental Leave
• 401(K) Retirement
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Mental health benefits
• Professional Development Benefits

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.