Sr. Mechatronics Engineer

Planted Solar; Oakland, Northern (CA, KY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

In-office lunches

Stock options

Benefits package

401(k)

Climate impact role

Job summary

Planted Solar is building next‑gen hardware for autonomous solar robotics in a fast‑growing climate tech startup. You will join the Hardware Engineering team to design and bring up machines, robots, and complex systems from concept to production.

You will collaborate with engineers on system architecture, power/control electronics, and robot software, delivering robust, scalable hardware solutions with hands‑on testing and calibration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electrical, robotics, mechanical engineering or similar.
• Experience in industry with building robotics, machines, or vehicles.
• Hands on aptitude – able to dive in and troubleshoot issues.
• Desire to work in a startup environment.
• Experience in robotics, embedded systems, or hardware/software integration.
• Ability to design and interpret electronics hardware wiring schematics.
• Knowledge of advanced electronics, including power and control systems.
• Hands-on experience with new hardware bring-up and embedded system debugging.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (CANOpen, EtherCAT, etc)
• Strong Python programming skills for data analysis and automation.
• Experience with robot bring-up, calibration, and verification.
• Experience with manufacturing handoff and design-for-production principles.
• Strong systems-level troubleshooting ability.

Responsibilities

• Ideate novel solutions to challenging problems — from system architecture down to individual component selection and design.
• Design and develop automated equipment and robotic systems integrating mechanical, electrical, sensing, and control components.
• Own challenging design projects from conception through development, integration, and into production.
• Design, test, and integrate electronics hardware, wiring schematics, and power/control systems.
• Work directly with the robot software team to design a robust and scalable integrated system.
• Write software to perform system level sizing, data analysis, and automation.
• Develop and execute robot bring-up, calibration, and testing procedures.
• Perform system-level troubleshooting, identifying and resolving issues across electrical, mechanical, and software domains.

Skills

Robotics

Embedded systems

Python programming

Troubleshooting

System design

Data analysis

Industrial protocols

Hardware bring-up

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics or related

Tools

CANOpen

EtherCAT

ROS2

TwinCAT

CODESYS

Job description

First, the good news: The world now has over 1.7 terawatts of cumulative solar capacity and solar PV is the lowest-cost source of energy generation worldwide.

The challenge: The world must build 3 terawatts of new solar capacity every year for the next 25 years.

Planted is creating new technology to overhaul how the industry develops and builds solar power resources. And we need help. We're expanding our team of ambitious, curious, and hands-on engineers and operators. Come own large parts of product, company, or business development and help power the world with 100% clean energy.

About The Role

As an integral part of the Hardware Engineering team you will develop machines, robots, and complex systems. Lead the development design cycle from concept ideation through production. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with a cross-functional engineering team with a highly talented group of engineers from varied backgrounds.

The salary range for this full-time position is $125,000 - $175,000 plus stock and benefits. Pay within the range is based on candidate experience, job-specific skills, education, and work location. The target experience for the position is 3-10 years

Responsibilities

• Ideate novel solutions to challenging problems — from system architecture down to individual component selection and design.
• Design and develop automated equipment and robotic systems integrating mechanical, electrical, sensing, and control components.
• Own challenging design projects from conception through development, integration, and into production.
• Design, test, and integrate electronics hardware, wiring schematics, and power/control systems.
• Work directly with the robot software team to design a robust and scalable integrated system.
• Write software to perform system level sizing, data analysis, and automation.
• Develop and execute robot bring-up, calibration, and testing procedures.
• Perform system-level troubleshooting, identifying and resolving issues across electrical, mechanical, and software domains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electrical, robotics, mechanical engineering or similar
• Experience in industry with building robotics, machines, or vehicles.
• Hands on aptitude – able to dive in and troubleshoot issues
• Desire to work in a startup environment
• Experience in robotics, embedded systems, or hardware/software integration.
• Ability to design and interpret electronics hardware wiring schematics.
• Knowledge of advanced electronics, including power and control systems.
• Hands-on experience with new hardware bring-up and embedded system debugging.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (CANOpen, EtherCAT, etc)
• Strong Python programming skills for data analysis and automation.
• Experience with robot bring-up, calibration, and verification.
• Experience with manufacturing handoff and design-for-production principles.
• Strong systems-level troubleshooting ability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Python programming for ROS2 nodes.
• Experience with TwinCAT and CODESYS.
• Familiarity with control algorithms and real-time control systems.
• Experience with autonomous vehicles in unstructured environments.
• Experience working with robotics in harsh environments (construction, ag-tech, industrial).

What We Offer

• 11 paid company holidays and flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company-paid in-office lunches
• Stock options
• Medical, vision, dental, and other benefits
• 401(k)
• A chance to have an empowered, meaningful, and early role in climate

This will be a great fit if:

• You want to solve challenging problems
• You are biased toward action and focus on the vital work that drives the most impact
• You prioritize the physical and psychological safety of yourself and those around you
• You are humble, embrace change, and deliver and receive candid feedback
• You are optimistic about the future and can make tough decisions to help get there
• You have high expectations and coach, develop, and make time to help others

Planted Solar is an equal opportunity employer committed to growing inclusively, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, medical condition, age, or veteran status. However you identify, or whatever background you bring with you, please apply. We look forward to hearing from you.