Staff Mechanical Engineer (Phantom)

Foundation Robotics Lab; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health benefits

401(k)

Dental

Vision

Job summary

Foundation Robotics Lab in San Francisco seeks an experienced mechanical engineering leader to own hardware for our humanoid platform. You’ll drive architecture, design for mass manufacturing, and coordinate actuators, batteries, electronics, and structures.

You will mentor engineers, set high engineering standards, and collaborate with AI, software, manufacturing, and electrical teams to deliver reliable, high-performance robotics.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in robotics/automation/aerospace or similar design spaces.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Proven track record designing for mass manufacturing and scaling suppliers to volume.
• Expert in CAD and proficient in CAE tools like FEA, CFD, thermal analysis.
• Motivated to coach peers and juniors through best engineering practices.
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis for high-precision assemblies.
• Excited to implement continual improvements for metrics like cost, mass, performance.

Responsibilities

• Own hardware for our humanoid platform and drive key technical decisions surrounding performance, cost, production and reliability.
• Collaborate with AI, software, manufacturing and electrical teams to develop tightly integrated hardware.
• Establish the mechanical engineering discipline, mentor engineers, define architecture and shape the future of the humanoid robotics platform.

Skills

Robotics experience

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

CAD

CAE tools (FEA/CFD)

Job description

Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Our Culture:

We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

Who Should Join:

• You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
• You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
• You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
• You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it.
• You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

Why are We Hiring for this Role:

• At Foundation, we are designing a humanoid optimized to operate in rugged conditions to push the bounds of potential robotic applications.
• You’ll be one of the core owners of the hardware for our humanoid platform and get to drive key technical decisions surrounding performance, cost, production, and reliability.
• This role touches all of the humanoid hardware including actuators, battery, embedded electronics, structures, harnessing,
• Working alongside AI, software, manufacturing, and electrical teams, you'll develop tightly integrated hardware that enables the next generation of intelligent robotic systems.
• As a technical leader, you'll help establish the mechanical engineering discipline, mentor engineers, define architecture, and shape the future of one of the most advanced humanoid robotics platforms in the world.

What Kind of Person We are Looking for:

• 8+ years experience in robotics, automation, aerospace, or similar design spaces.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Proven track record designing for mass manufacturing and scaling suppliers to volume.
• Expert in common tools like CAD, and proficient in CAE tools like FEA, CFD, thermal analysis, etc.
• Motivated to coach peers and juniors through best engineering practices and drive rigorous technical decision making.
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis for high-precision assemblies and the associated high-volume manufacturing processes.
• Excited to implement continual improvements for various metrics like cost, mass, performance supporting production.
• We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.) and equity. Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.
• The annual compensation is expected to be between $180,000 - $300,000. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.