Staff Mechatronics Engineer

Rhoda AI; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhoda AI in Mountain View is seeking a staff‑level hardware engineer to own the mechatronic architecture of the UMI device, from prototype to mass production. You will define gripper geometry, sensor placement, and structural interfaces, while guiding cross‑subsystem tradeoffs and supplier qualification.

You’ll drive reliability targets, DVT/PVT plans, and cross‑functional design reviews to ensure scalable, fail‑safe operations across global operator sites.

Qualifications

• Track record taking mechatronic products from prototype through mass production.
• Fluency across mechanism design, sensor integration, DFM, tolerance analysis.
• Hands-on DFM/DFA for molded, die-cast and machined parts; factory conversations owned.
• Experience integrating sensors (cameras, IMUs, encoders) into mechanical structures.
• Experience setting up DVT/PVT programs and design iterations under production constraints.
• Staff-level engineering judgment with fast iteration and decisive lock-down when needed.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechatronic architecture of the UMI device — mechanical structure, gripper kinematics, sensor integration.
• Drive full hardware lifecycle from concept to mass production; support transitions between stages.
• Define mechanical specifications: gripper geometry, wrist kinematics, weight, balance, stiffness.
• Oversee sensor integration at hardware level and ensure data pipeline accuracy via mounting.
• Lead DFM/DFA from prototypes through production parts; manage BOM and supplier qualification.
• Set reliability and durability targets for fleet deployment across global sites.
• Create and run DVT/PVT test plans: cycle, thermal, abuse, calibration stability.
• Collaborate with EE on PCB envelopes, connector placement, and cable routing.

Skills

Prototype to MP

Systems-level design

DFM/DFA

Sensor integration

Reliability engineering

Supplier management

Tolerance analysis

Tools

Solidworks

CATIA

Job description

At Rhoda AI, we’re building the next generation of generalist intelligent robots. We own the full robotics stack from high-performance hardware and robot systems to the infrastructure and state-of-the-art foundation world models that control our robots. Our robots are designed to be generalists capable of operating in complex, real-world environments and handling long-tail edge cases, made possible by our cutting edge research and end-to-end system design. We've raised over $450M and are investing aggressively in model research, infrastructure, hardware development, and manufacturing scale-up to make generalist robotics a reality.

You will own the full mechatronic architecture of our UMI (Universal Manipulation Interface) data collection platform — from first prototype to mass-produced fleet hardware. This is a staff-level role with end-to-end ownership: you define the architecture, make the hard cross-subsystem tradeoffs, drive the transition from lab prototype to manufacturable product, and ensure the device performs reliably at scale across global operator sites. Motor control and firmware are owned separately; everything else is yours.

What You’ll Do

• Own the mechatronic architecture of the UMI device — mechanical structure, gripper kinematics, sensor integration, and all physical subsystem interfaces
• Drive the full hardware lifecycle: concept → prototype → DVT → mass production; own the design decisions that make each transition possible
• Define and hold mechanical specifications across the program: 2‑finger gripper geometry, wrist kinematics, operator ergonomics, weight, balance, and stiffness targets
• Own sensor integration at the hardware level — camera mount geometry, IMU placement, Aruco marker systems, and calibration fixture design; the spatial accuracy of the data pipeline starts with how well sensors are mounted and held
• Lead DFM/DFA from 3D‑printed prototype through injection‑molded and die‑cast production parts; own the BOM, part‑level traceability, and supplier qualification process
• Define reliability and durability requirements for fleet deployment; the device ships to dozens of operator sites globally and failure directly cuts data output — you design so it doesn't fail
• Set up and drive DVT/PVT test plans: cycle testing, abuse testing, thermal, and calibration stability across device lifetime
• Interface with the EE team on PCB envelopes, connector placement, and cable routing accommodations — you own the structures and interfaces, they own what's inside
• Lead design reviews, define subsystem requirements, and set the technical bar for the broader hardware team

What You Bring

• Track record taking mechatronic products from prototype through mass production — consumer electronics, robotics, medical devices, wearables, or comparable high‑volume precision hardware
• Systems‑level fluency across the full stack: mechanism design, sensor integration, DFM, tolerance analysis, supplier management, and reliability engineering
• Deep hands‑on experience with DFM/DFA for molded, die‑cast, and machined parts; you've owned the factory conversation, not just handed off drawings
• Proven experience integrating sensors — cameras, IMUs, encoders — into precision mechanical structures where mounting geometry and compliance directly affect measurement quality
• Experience setting up and running DVT/PVT programs: test plan definition, failure analysis, design iteration under production constraints
• Staff‑level engineering judgment: you know when to iterate fast and when to lock down, and you've made that call under real program pressure

Nice to Have

• Experience with UMI‑style, teleoperation, or robot data‑capture hardware
• Familiarity with camera calibration pipelines, fiducial marker systems, or 6‑DoF spatial tracking
• Experience scaling a device from a handful of lab units to a global deployed fleet
• Prior technical lead or program ownership experience on a hardware product that shipped
• CAD skills and experience with Solidworks or CATIA.