Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer, Robotics

Capstan Medical Inc.; Santa Cruz (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible time off

Bike-friendly & team outings

Job summary

Capstan Medical Inc. is building a novel robotic platform for minimally invasive heart valve treatment in Santa Cruz.

The role focuses on taking a mechanical system from concept to product, with hybrid on-site responsibilities and collaboration across manufacturing and clinical teams. The ideal candidate has a BS in mechanical engineering or related field and 5+ years of experience in medical devices, capable of operating in ambiguity and delivering tangible design outcomes within a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 5+ years of relevant experience in medical device or similar complex systems.
• Experience with design control, design verification, and regulatory processes.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with manufacturing and clinical to incorporate feedback into rapid design iterations.
• On-site participation in assembling and bringing up prototype robotic systems; support in pre-clinical lab use.
• Document learnings on design manufacturability and reliability to the hardware team.
• Lead design reviews and release appropriate documentation as part of product development.
• Identify gaps and propose solutions to help the team meet goals.

Skills

Mechanical design

Design for manufacturability

Prototype build & test

Cross-functional collaboration

Ambiguity to tangible outcomes

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

Reports to:Managing Principle Mechanical Engineer, R&D

Workplace Type:Hybrid, on-site in Santa Cruz an average of 4-days per week

At Capstan Medical, we’re building one of the most exciting and innovative companies in medtech—developing a first-of-its-kind robotic platform for minimally invasive heart valve treatment. Our team combines surgical robotics, catheter-based delivery, and next-generation implants to transform complex procedures into safer, lower-stress solutions for patients and clinicians alike. As a highly collaborative, hands-on team, we move fast, wear multiple hats, and believe the best ideas can come from anyone.

Based in Santa Cruz, our unique workspace blends cutting-edge Bay Area innovation with a lifestyle-driven environment near trails, beaches, and open space—creating the perfect place to do meaningful, career-defining work.

The Opportunity:

We are building a novel medical robotic application, bringing together an exciting set of hardware and software into an elegant product. We are looking for someone who can take a mechanical system of the robot design from initial concept all the way to product.

What You’ll Do:

• Collaborate with manufacturing and clinical for feedback on designs, incorporating this feedback into quick and effective design iterations. Be responsible for all things mechanical, owning all deliverables and milestones
• On-site participation in building and bringing up prototype robotic systems and support in their pre-clinical lab use, supporting all things mechanical
• Align individual work to best support company goals. Identifying high risk items and being part of developing solutions
• Document and communicate learnings on design manufacturability and reliability to the broader hardware team
• Document and communicate your work through design reviews and as appropriate released documents as part of the product development process
• Identify gaps and pitch in as needed to ensure that the team meets their goals and objectives

What You’ll Need:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline, or equivalent work experience
• Expecting 5+ years of relevant experience (medical device experience preferred)
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity and an ability to convert that into tangible outcomes
• Experience with designing, manufacturing transfer, and shipping of medical device capital equipment or equivalent complexity systems
• Experience with medical device (or equivalent) development process, design control, design verification, and regulatory processes
• Ability to work in a hybrid work environment, working onsite in Santa Cruz on average 4 days a week

Why Join Us:

• We offer a fun, fast-paced, collaborative environment where you will be working on transformational technologies in the cardiac healthcare space.
• We offer outstanding benefits with medical, dental, and vision covered at 100% for you and your family, as well as flex time off.
• We thrive in our work-hard, play-hard environment. Bring your bike or running shoes if you’d like or just be ready to enjoy a fun office outing. We enjoy time inside the office and out!

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, and disability, or other legally protected status.