Senior Mechanical Engineer ($130k-$170k + Equity) at Cargo Robotics

Jack & Jill; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cargo Robotics is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Menlo Park to own the development of core robotic subsystems for the X1 platform, from design to volume production.

You will work with a high-caliber hardware team to design transmissions, actuated structures, and end effectors, tackling logistics challenges for international carriers and scaling hardware to thousands of units.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience with at least one full cycle from prototype to volume production.
• Expertise in SolidWorks for complex assemblies and drivetrain/sensor integration.
• Production mindset with deep expertise in DFM/A, overseas manufacturing partners, and driving down BOM costs.

Responsibilities

• Design and iterate core mechanical subsystems including transmissions and actuated structures using SolidWorks and rapid prototyping.
• Lead system pilot builds and transition to volume production, qualifying international suppliers and refining designs.
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis (FEA, tolerance analysis, fatigue testing) to eliminate failure modes before hardware reaches the field.

Skills

SolidWorks

Mechanical design

DFM/A

Tools

FEA

Tolerance analysis

Fatigue testing

Job description

Job Title

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Salary

$130k-$170k + Equity

Company Description

Cargo Robotics is a pre-seed Silicon Valley startup backed by top robotics investors, building containerized physical AI to automate the entire delivery chain. Founded by alumni from Tesla, NASA JPL, and Stanford, the company’s first product—the X1 Robotic Cargo Bay—reimagines delivery van interiors to save hours of labor and reduce carbon emissions.

Job Description

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will own the development of core robotic subsystems for the X1 platform, from initial design through to volume production. Working alongside a high-caliber hardware team, you will design transmissions, actuated structures, and end effectors that solve massive logistics challenges for international carriers while scaling hardware to thousands of units.

Location

Menlo Park, USA

Why this role is remarkable

• Join an elite founding team with pedigree from NASA JPL, Tesla, and Lockheed, building at the intersection of physical AI and logistics.
• Take true ownership of a product that addresses a 5x explosion in delivery volumes, directly reducing industry injuries, attrition, and carbon emissions.
• Work in a fast-paced, high-ownership environment where your mechanical designs will move from whiteboard to real-world pilot deployments in record time.

What You Will Do

• Design and iterate on core mechanical subsystems including transmissions, actuated structures, and user-facing systems using SolidWorks and rapid prototyping.
• Lead system pilot builds and manage the transition to volume production, including qualifying international suppliers and refining designs for high reliability.
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis, including FEA, tolerance analysis, and fatigue testing, to eliminate failure modes before hardware reaches the field.

The ideal candidate

• Has 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience, with at least one full cycle taking a complex mechanism from prototype to volume production.
• Is an expert in SolidWorks for complex assemblies and possesses strong mechanical intuition for drivetrain specification and sensor integration.
• Demonstrates a production mindset with deep expertise in DFM/A, sourcing overseas manufacturing partners, and driving down BOM costs through clever design.