Staff Mechanical Engineer - Mobile Bot

Exol; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Symbotic is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer for the Mobile Robotics Engineering team to design, develop and validate mechanical subsystems powering autonomous mobile robots. You will own subsystems from concept to production, collaborating with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver high-performance robotic solutions.

The role emphasizes mechanical design leadership, validation testing, and Design for Manufacturing & Assembly, with up to 50% travel to support deployments

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of mechanical design experience including mobile robots/AMRs.
• Experience with design for harsh environments (deep freeze/condensing).
• Expertise with SolidWorks or similar CAD software including GD&T and BOM management.
• Strong background in machine design, structural analysis, FEA, and drivetrain design.
• Hands-on prototype development, test planning, and iterative design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of mobile robot mechanical systems: chassis, drivetrains, suspension, actuation, payload handling, structural components.
• Select motors, gearboxes, bearings, wheels; perform torque, speed, durability, lifecycle analysis.
• Develop mechanisms and structures meeting performance, reliability, manufacturability targets.
• Conduct FEA, kinematic studies, tolerance stackups, validation testing.
• Drive DFMA with manufacturing partners to optimize cost, quality, scalability.
• Collaborate with electrical, firmware, software, systems, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Mechanical design

DFM/DFA

FEA

SolidWorks

Drivetrain design

Prototype development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

GD&T

PLM/PDM

3D CAD

BOM management

Job description

Who we are

With its A.I.-powered robotic technology platform, Symbotic is changing the way consumer goods move through the supply chain. Intelligent software orchestrates advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system – reinventing warehouse automation for increased efficiency, speed and flexibility.

What we need

We are looking for a Staff Mechanical Engineer to join our Mobile Robotics Engineering team within our Core Hardware Engineering organization. Your job will be to design, develop, and validate the mechanical systems that power our next-generation autonomous mobile robots. You’ll own critical mechanical subsystems from concept through production while partnering closely with electrical, software, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to deliver reliable, high-performance robotic solutions.

What we do

The Mobile Robotics Engineering team is part of our Core Hardware Engineering organization, which is responsible for designing and developing the autonomous mobile robots that power Symbotic’s warehouse automation platform. The team combines mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineering to create scalable robotic systems capable of operating reliably in demanding customer environments.

What you’ll do

• Lead the design and development of critical mobile robot mechanical systems, including chassis, drivetrains, suspension, actuation systems, payload handling mechanisms, and structural components.

• Design and integrate motion systems by selecting motors, gearboxes, bearings, wheels, and other drivetrain components while performing torque, speed, durability, and lifecycle analysis.

• Develop innovative mechanical mechanisms and structures that meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.

• Perform engineering analysis including FEA, kinematic studies, tolerance stack-ups, and validation testing to ensure robust product performance.

• Drive Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) by partnering with manufacturing, suppliers, and contract manufacturers to optimize cost, quality, and scalability.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, firmware, software, systems, manufacturing, and service teams to integrate mechanical designs into complete robotic systems.

• Mentor junior engineers and support design reviews, engineering documentation, product releases, and field validation activities.

• Travel up to 50% as needed to support product development, integration, testing, and customer deployments.

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline required. Master’s degree or other advanced engineering degree strongly preferred.

• Minimum of 8 years of mechanical design experience, including at least 3 years developing mobile robots, AGVs/AMRs, automation equipment, autonomous vehicles, drones, or similar electromechanical systems.

• Experience designing electromechanical systems for deep freeze and condensing operating environments.

• Expertise with SolidWorks (preferred) or similar 3D CAD software, including GD&T, drawing release, BOM management, and PLM/PDM systems.

• Strong background in machine design, structural analysis, FEA, kinematics, tolerance analysis, and drivetrain design.

• Hands-on experience developing and validating prototypes, creating test plans, and iterating designs based on test results.

• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA).

• Familiarity with mobile robotics safety standards (such as ISO 3691 or ANSI/ITSDF) and excellent communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts and design tradeoffs to cross-functional stakeholders.

Our environment

• Up to50%of travel may berequired. Employees must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations.

• The employee is responsible for owning a credit card and managing expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis.

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About Symbotic

Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-gen technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today’s complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.

We are a community of innovators, collaborators and pioneers who embrace our differences, because we know unique perspectives make us stronger and smarter. Every perspective matters. We depend on the collective voices of our employees, customers and community to help guide us as we build a better place to work – for you and the world. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.

The base range for this position in the posted location is $143,750.00 - $195,000.00 however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, 401K, PTO and/or other benefits.