Robotics Hardware Engineer

Socket.dev; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultra is seeking a Robotics Hardware Engineer to join our NYC team and take ownership of mechanical and electrical development needed to build, manufacture, and improve industrial robots.

You will design, prototype, test, and document hardware, collaborate with manufacturing, and help scale our systems from prototype to repeatable production in Brooklyn labs.

Qualifications

• Hands-on engineer with ability to take a problem from concept to repeatable hardware.
• Experience designing, building, and debugging electromechanical systems.
• Proficient with CAD and lab equipment to diagnose issues.

Responsibilities

• Own hardware projects from problem definition to release.
• Design mechanical components and assemblies for robots and supporting hardware.
• Create and maintain CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and build docs.
• Design, assemble, and debug electrical systems.
• Develop fixtures and test equipment for manufacturing and QA.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and operations to reduce recurring problems.
• Support robot builds and hardware bring-up in Brooklyn lab.
• Help establish hardware-development practices and release processes.

Skills

Hands-on engineer

CAD design

Electrical debugging

Prototyping

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Onshape

Fusion 360

Job description

About Ultra

Ultra builds industrial AI robots that are working in the real world today. Our robots automate mission-critical warehouse labor end-to-end, starting with e-commerce order packaging. We deploy fast, learn from real production data, and iterate aggressively. We already have a quickly growing number of revenue-generating robots operating in U.S. warehouses, and are now scaling towards thousands of deployments over the next few years. Our mission is simple: build the world's most useful and deployable robot.

WARNING: Robotics is not for the faint of heart. There are no silver bullets here. It is tiresome, unglamorous, and at times brutal work. The only way out is through, and the only way through is treacherous and unknown. **Success will require teamwork** - so we are building a world-class team to tackle some of the most exciting problems out there. We hope you join us.

Overview

We’re seeking a Robotics Hardware Engineer to join our NYC-based team and take ownership of the wide range of mechanical and electrical development projects required to build, manufacture, and continuously improve reliable industrial robots.

This is a broad, highly hands‑on engineering role. One week, you might redesign a compute enclosure or communications junction box; the next, you might build an electrical test device for our manufacturing team, improve a cable assembly, troubleshoot a hardware failure, or prototype a new robot subsystem. You’ll be responsible for understanding what is needed, developing a practical solution, building and testing it, and carrying it through to a documented and repeatable result.

We are an early‑stage company moving quickly in a rapidly growing space. We welcome people from any background as long as you’re excited to join our mission, make an immediate impact, and help create a future where automation is accessible to all.

Who You Are

• You’re a hands‑on engineer who enjoys making physical systems work. You’re equally comfortable designing a part in CAD, assembling a wiring harness, using lab equipment to diagnose an electrical issue, and taking a prototype apart to understand why it failed.
• You have a strong foundation in either mechanical or electrical engineering and enough curiosity about the other discipline to work effectively across both. You don’t throw problems over the wall—you follow them through the complete system until you understand what is happening.
• You’re comfortable starting with an imperfect problem statement. You ask the right questions, identify the real constraints, and find the simplest robust solution rather than waiting for someone else to write a complete specification.
• You move quickly without losing attention to detail. You know when a fast prototype is appropriate and when a design needs proper drawings, documentation, validation, and manufacturing discipline.
• You thrive in a high‑trust, high‑autonomy environment. You manage your own priorities, communicate proactively, and take responsibility for getting projects across the finish line.

What You’ll Do

• Own small and medium‑sized hardware projects from initial problem definition through design, prototyping, testing, documentation, and release.
• Design and improve mechanical components and assemblies for our robots and supporting hardware, including enclosures, brackets, mounts, junction boxes, cable‑management components, and manufacturing tools.
• Create and maintain CAD models, engineering drawings, BOMs, assembly instructions, and other documentation needed to turn prototypes into repeatable builds.
• Design, assemble, and debug electrical systems such as wiring harnesses, power and communications assemblies, breakout boxes, interface boards, and diagnostic tools.
• Develop fixtures and test equipment for manufacturing, incoming inspection, quality control, hardware validation, and troubleshooting.
• Work closely with our manufacturing and operations teams to identify recurring problems and develop tools, design changes, and processes that make our robots easier to build and test.
• Support robot builds and hardware bring‑up in our Brooklyn lab, particularly when new designs or unexpected issues require engineering judgment.
• Help establish lightweight but effective hardware‑development practices, including design reviews, revision control, test procedures, build documentation, and release processes.

What You Bring

• A degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or a related discipline—or equivalent experience demonstrated through things you have designed and built.
• Experience designing, building, and debugging electromechanical systems through internships, project teams, research, professional work, or substantial personal projects.
• Proficiency with a mechanical CAD package such as SolidWorks, Onshape, Fusion 360, or a similar tool.
• Experience creating physical prototypes using techniques such as 3D printing, machining, sheet‑metal fabrication, laser cutting, or basic shop tools.
• Comfort working with electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, connectors, sensors, power distribution, and low‑voltage electrical systems.
• Hands‑on experience using common lab and shop equipment, such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, bench power supplies, soldering tools, crimpers, and basic fabrication equipment.
• A systematic approach to testing and troubleshooting, with the ability to move from symptoms to root cause rather than relying on trial and error alone.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when documenting designs, explaining tradeoffs, or coordinating work across teams.

Bonus Skills

• Experience with robots, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, manufacturing equipment, or other complex electromechanical products.
• Experience designing wiring harnesses, cable assemblies, electrical enclosures, or industrial control panels.
• Familiarity with industrial communications and interfaces, particularly Ethernet, CAN, and USB.
• Experience designing simple PCBs, interface boards, or microcontroller‑based test devices.
• Familiarity with Python, embedded programming, Linux, or scripting for test automation and hardware diagnostics.
• Experience with design for manufacturing and assembly, tolerance analysis, sheet‑metal design, environmental sealing, thermal management, or ruggedized hardware.
• Experience working with machine shops, contract manufacturers, fabrication vendors, or component suppliers.
• A portfolio, project page, or collection of photographs showing hardware you have personally designed, built, tested, or repaired.

Expected Compensation

$110,000 - $150,000/annual salary + equity + benefits

This compensation range may be inclusive of several career levels at Ultra and will be narrowed during the interview process based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Adjustments outside of this range may be considered for candidates whose qualifications significantly differ from those outlined in the job description.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.