Robotics Hardware Engineer — AI-Driven Manufacturing

Formulate Robotics; Mountain View, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Autonomy

Lab access

Job summary

Formulate Robotics is seeking a Hardware Engineer to design and build the physical systems powering our Gen 3 manufacturing platform. You will prototype mechanical and electromechanical systems, select components, and collaborate with controls, firmware, and software teams to ensure robust, manufacturable hardware.

Based in California with in-person collaboration in Mountain View, this role emphasizes hands-on prototyping, fast iteration, and creating hardware that integrates tightly with

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in robotics, automation, or electromechanical system design.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical engineering and/or electrical integration.
• Experience with motors, actuators, motion control, sensors, or industrial automation components.
• Comfortable working hands-on in a lab or shop environment.
• High agency mindset and problem-solving without waiting for instruction.
• Strong first-principles thinking and comfort operating in ambiguity.
• Experience using modern AI tools to accelerate design, debugging, and documentation workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype mechanical and electromechanical systems for robotics-driven manufacturing.
• Develop automation assemblies including motion systems, dispensing mechanisms, structural frames, and tooling.
• Select and integrate motors, actuators, sensors, load cells, controllers, and safety components.
• Collaborate with controls, firmware, and software engineers to define hardware/software interfaces.
• Run testing and validation cycles to ensure reliability, repeatability, and safety.
• Design for manufacturability, serviceability, and cost reduction.
• Create documentation, BOMs, assembly instructions, and test protocols.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues in prototype and production systems.
• Continuously improve system robustness based on real-world performance data.

Skills

Robotics

Mechanical engineering

Electrical integration

Motors & actuators

Motion control

Sensors

Lab hands-on

First-principles thinking

AI tools in design

Tools

CAD/CAE

Job description

Formulate Robotics is seeking a Hardware Engineer to design and build the physical systems powering our Gen 3 manufacturing platform. You will prototype mechanical and electromechanical systems, select components, and collaborate with controls, firmware, and software teams to ensure robust, manufacturable hardware.

Based in California with in-person collaboration in Mountain View, this role emphasizes hands-on prototyping, fast iteration, and creating hardware that integrates tightly with