Staff Mechanical Engineer - Mobile Bot

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

Job summary

Symbotic in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer for the Mobile Robotics Engineering team. You will design, develop, and validate mechanical systems powering next‑gen autonomous mobile robots, owning subsystems from concept through production and collaborating with electrical, software, manufacturing, and systems teams.

You will mentor junior engineers, lead DT/DFM efforts, and support validation activities, with travel up to 50% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of mechanical design experience, including 3+ years mobile robots/AMRs.
• Experience designing electromechanical systems for harsh environments.
• Proficient in SolidWorks with GD&T and BOM/PLM familiarity.
• Strong machine design, structural analysis, FEA, kinematics, and drivetrain design.
• Hands-on prototype development and testing experience.
• Experience with manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, injection molding) and DFM/DFA.
• Knowledge of mobile robotics safety standards (ISO 3691/ANSI/ITSDF) and good communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of mobile robot mechanical systems (chassis, drivetrains, suspension).
• Select motors, gearboxes, bearings, wheels; perform torque and durability analyses.
• Develop mechanical mechanisms meeting performance and manufacturability requirements.
• Conduct FEA, kinematic studies, tolerance analysis, and validation testing.
• Drive DFM/DFA with manufacturing partners to optimize cost and quality.
• Collaborate with electrical, firmware, software, systems, and service teams to integrate designs.
• Mentor junior engineers and support design reviews and product releases.
• Travel up to 50% to support development and field validation.

Skills

Mechanical design

FEA

Drivetrain design

DFM/DFA

Prototype testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Motion systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

PLM/PDM systems

GD&T

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 to 50% of travel may be required. 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.

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.