Senior Mechanical Engineer San Francisco, CA

Nimble; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited Flexible Time Off

Health Insurance

Referral Bonus

401k

Equity

Job summary

Nimble is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical design of robotic subsystems, from structures to precision assemblies, partnering with controls, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated systems.

You will drive design for manufacturability, perform FEA and tolerance analyses, and lead prototype builds and supplier collaboration as we scale to high-volume production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 7+ years developing complex mechanical or electromechanical hardware.
• Strong GD&T fluency (ASME Y14.5) and release-ready drawings.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design and architecture of robotic subsystems from concept through production deployment.
• Produce production-grade drawings with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis for supplier use.
• Develop 3D CAD models and drive system-level mechanical decisions.
• Perform structural/stress analyses and FEA to ensure reliability and manufacturability.
• Design for manufacturability, assembly, reliability, and cost.
• Partner with controls, software, electrical, embedded, perception, and manufacturing teams.
• Lead prototype builds, debugging, and field performance improvements.
• Establish validation plans and qualification procedures.
• Support supply chain through sourcing, supplier development, and second-sourcing.

Skills

Machine design

Structural analysis

GD&T

3D CAD

Manufacturing know-how

Cost reduction

Supplier interaction

Cross-functional collaboration

Prototype testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

FEA software

Job description

Nimble is an AI robotics company building the autonomous supply chain to power fast, efficient and economical commerce. We’re training robot AGI to power a proprietary generalist supply chain superhumanoid, the first robot in the world capable of performing thousands of tasks across the supply chain. We’ve raised over $220M at over $1B valuation and formed a strategic alliance with FedEx to build a national network of autonomous warehouses capable of generating many billions in annual revenue. We are a hardcore and obsessed team of the world’s best engineers and operators. If you are obsessed with your craft, enjoy a high-intensity and fast moving high impact environment, are super high agency in getting hard things done and want to be part of building the world’s most legendary robotics company at the most pivotal moment in history, we want to work with you.

We are on a mission to empower and inspire mankind to accomplish legendary feats by inventing robots that liberate us from the menial. We will accomplish this by training robot AGI to invent and build the Autonomous Supply Chain – everything from the inside of factories and warehouses to your front door – powered by generalist superhumanoids.

Our founding team comes from the AI labs at Stanford and Carnegie Mellon and our board of directors include famed robotics and AI legends including Fei-Fei Li (Chief Scientist of AI at Google and Director of Stanford’s AI Lab), Marc Raibert (founder of Boston Dynamics), and Sebastian Thrun (founder of GoogleX, Waymo; Stanford Professor and considered the father of autonomous vehicles).

At Nimble, we are committed to building legendary products, a legendary team, and a legendary legacy. Join us and become part of an ambitious, humble, and resourceful culture where your work will leave a lasting impact on the future of robotics and commerce.

Nimble's Core Values

Be relentlessly resourceful

Challenge conventions and overcome obstacles.

Be legendary

Be the very best and do work that inspires.

Be humble

Prioritize growth, learning, and doing whatever is needed to further the mission.

Be dependable

Take ownership and deliver with high agency.

Position Overview

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will own the mechanical design of the systems that power Nimble's robotic platforms — from structures and mechanisms through precision assemblies and production-ready hardware. You'll work at the core of the mechanical discipline: machine design, structural and stress analysis, GD&T and tolerancing, materials, and design for manufacturing — and you'll partner closely with controls, electrical, embedded, and perception teams to integrate your designs into complete robotic systems. You'll own your parts well beyond the design itself — driving part quality, supporting the supply chain, and relentlessly taking cost out as we scale from prototype to high-volume production.
This is a role for a hardcore mechanical engineer. We're looking for someone whose craft is mechanical engineering itself — who cares about datum schemes, tolerance stacks, load paths, and manufacturability — and who is comfortable interfacing with electromechanical systems without needing to own the controls or firmware. If you love turning hard mechanical problems into robust, manufacturable hardware, we want to talk.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design and architecture of robotic subsystems — structures, mechanisms, frames, housings, and precision assemblies — from concept through production deployment. This engineer will own the frame design, new warehouse layout design, and automation equipment integration
• Produce production-grade engineering drawings with GD&T (ASME Y14.5): sound datum schemes, functional tolerancing, and tolerance stack-up analysis that suppliers can build from without guessing
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies, and drive system-level mechanical design decisions
• Perform engineering calculations, hand calcs, structural/stress analysis, and FEA to ensure performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Design for manufacturability (DFM), assembly (DFA), reliability, serviceability, and cost
• Select and integrate mechanical and electromechanical components — bearings, gears, transmissions, and fasteners, along with the motors, gearboxes, and sensors your designs interface with
• Partner with controls, software, electrical, embedded, perception, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated robotic systems
• Lead prototype builds, debugging, root-cause investigations, and field performance improvements
• Establish and execute validation plans, reliability testing, and qualification procedures
• Support the supply chain across the product lifecycle — support sourcing and supplier selection, drive supplier development and second-sourcing, and resolve component and manufacturability issues fast to keep builds on schedule
• Own part quality for the components you design — define inspection and measurement requirements on your drawings, lead first-article inspection, and drive root-cause and corrective action on nonconformances alongside suppliers and the quality team
• Drive cost reduction across new and existing parts — through tolerancing, material, and process choices, value engineering (VA/VE), and design-to-cost — to hit unit-cost targets as we scale
• Support the transition from prototype to production, including documentation, manufacturing support, and quality improvements
• Mentor engineers and contribute to mechanical engineering best practices, drawing standards, and design reviews

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 7+ years developing complex mechanical or electromechanical hardware
• Deep mechanical engineering expertise: machine design, mechanisms, structural and stress analysis, solid mechanics, materials, and product development
• Strong, demonstrable GD&T fluency (ASME Y14.5) — you can define a datum scheme, defend a tolerance stack, and produce release-ready drawings
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes — machining, sheet metal, injection molding, weldments, and assembly methods — and how design choices drive cost and yield
• Track record of driving part quality and cost reduction with suppliers — first-article inspection, supplier development, root-cause/corrective action, and tolerance, material, and process trade-offs made with cost and quality in mind
• Comfortable interfacing with electrical, controls, and embedded systems: you design mechanical systems that integrate cleanly with motors, sensors, and electronics, without needing to own circuit design or control loops
• Experience with prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, and system integration
• Ability to interpret test data and drive engineering decisions through quantitative analysis
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Experience with industrial robotics, warehouse automation, or autonomous systems
• Experience with FEA, dynamic simulations, and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Familiarity with model-based definition (MBD)
• Experience scaling products from prototype to high-volume manufacturing
• Experience with value analysis / value engineering (VA/VE), design-to-cost, or supplier-quality programs
• Familiarity with reliability engineering and field-deployed hardware
• Experience leading technical projects and mentoring engineers

In this role, you will:

• Deliver robust mechanical subsystems that meet performance, reliability, and cost targets..
• Improve system throughput, uptime, and operational efficiency..
• Accelerate product development through effective cross-functional collaboration..
• Drive engineering excellence across design, analysis, testing, and deployment activities..
• Contribute to Nimble's long-term robotics platform strategy and innovation roadmap..

What's exciting about this role?

• Build industry-leading robotic systems solving complex real-world challenges
• Work alongside world-class engineers in robotics, AI, software, and automation
• Directly influence products deployed in large-scale fulfillment operations
• Take ownership of critical mechanical systems from concept through production
• Competitive compensation, equity participation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth

Compensation

The pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $150,000 and $220,000/year. Your exact offer may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to cash compensation, this position will also receive generous equity for this position.

Culture

We embrace challenges and strive to make the impossible possible each day. We’re not in this to do what’s easy or to be mediocre. We want to create something legendary and leave our mark on the world. We’re ambitious, we’re gritty, we’re humble and we’re relentlessly resourceful in pursuit of our goals. If this sounds like you then you might be a great fit!

Nimble Robotics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions based solely on merit. We provide equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state, federal or local laws.

Nimble's Benefits

Unlimited Flexible Time Off

Enjoy the time you need to travel, rejuvenate, and connect with friends and family.

Health Insurance

Nimble provides medical, dental, and vision insurance through several premier plans and options to support you and your family.

Enjoy paid bonding time following a birth.

Take the stress out of commuting with access to fully-paid parking spots.

Referral Bonus

Get a cash bonus for any friend or colleagues that you refer to us that we end up hiring.

401k

Contribute towards a 401k for retirement planning.

Equity

Be an owner in Nimble through our equity program

Do you require sponsorship to work in the United States now or in the future? If so, what is the status and expiration of your visa?