Softgoods Product Design Engineer

present of AI; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Present AI is seeking a materials and softgoods designer to shape the tactile heart of our home humanoid robot. You will take fabric, foam and elastomer parts from sketches to prototypes and onward to volume production, balancing feel, durability and manufacturability.

The role emphasizes hands-on craft, CAD and simulation, and close collaboration with suppliers and robotics teams. A strong portfolio of built work is required to prove your ability to translate vague goals into concrete, testable

Qualifications

• Hands-on softgoods crafting with textiles, foams and elastomer prototypes.
• Strong CAD and simulation skills to verify fit and durability.
• Experience moving handmade designs to high-volume production.
• Portfolio of built work required.

Responsibilities

• Own the softgoods portion from concept through prototypes to mass production.
• Select materials, test durability and qualify suppliers.
• Collaborate with CAD/FEA teams to optimize fit and feel.
• Support testing, fixtures design and tooling handoffs.

Skills

Softgoods craftsmanship

CAD

FEA / Simulation

Prototyping

Materials testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

3D CAD

FEA software

Prototype tools

Job description

This role covers the soft, touchable parts of a home humanoid robot: fabrics, foams and rubber-like materials. The owner takes each part from early sketch through prototypes to full production, and also handles testing, fixtures, cost and supplier selection. A strong candidate has hands-on softgoods craft, solid CAD and simulation skills, and real experience getting a handmade design to hold its quality in volume. A portfolio of built work is required.

How it fits the AI era

AI is unlikely to replace the hands-on judgment of how a material feels, wears and survives daily use around a family. Simulation and data tools can help check fit and durability earlier and cut down trial-and-error before tooling is committed. The human work stays central: turning a vague goal like soft and welcoming into specs, choosing materials, and working with suppliers.

How it builds AI experience

The work sits right next to a robot that is meant to learn and operate in homes, so a person here sees how physical design choices shape a machine people live with. Direct AI exposure is likely to be indirect, mostly through simulation-driven design checks and working with robotics and materials colleagues. Building comfort with FEA and data-based testing of how parts hold up would make a candidate stronger.

Worth showing

• Textile, foam and elastomer prototypes
• CAD and FEA examples
• Prototype to mass production story
• Testing and fixture design
• Supplier and material qualification

This is our own read, written from the employer's posting and the company's Spotlight. The employer's posting is the source of truth for the role.

About 1X

1X designs and manufactures bipedal humanoid robots engineered to execute household chores and personal assistance tasks safely, according to company statements.