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Mechanical Design Engineer, Hands

Mind Robotics

Palo Alto, CAFull-time$95–160K/yrPosted 1mo agoVerified open 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$95–160K/yr
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Job overview

Mind Robotics is hiring a Mechanical Design Engineer, Hands. Mind Robotics seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer for its Hands team to design, prototype, and scale dexterous robotic hands. The role involves high‑precision mechanics, tactile sensing integration, and advanced manufacturing to create reliable, durable hardware that operates in space‑constrained environments.

Key focus areas include Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for dexterous hands, Own designs from concept through production meeting load, durability, and packaging constraints, and Rapidly build, test, and break prototypes to validate motion and performance.

Successful candidates bring 3+ Years Of Experience Building Complex, Miniaturized Electromechanical Systems. Important skills include Mechanical Intuition, SolidWorks, Catia, Electromechanical Integration, Hands-on Problem-Solving, and Designing For Volume Processes. Preferred (not required): Design And Development Of Mechanical Components, Prototyping, 3D Printing, and CNC Machining.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Mechanical IntuitionSolidWorksCatiaElectromechanical IntegrationHands-on Problem-SolvingDesigning for Volume ProcessesWorking With Contract ManufacturersComfort With AmbiguityEngineering CuriosityDesign and Development of Mechanical ComponentsPrototyping3D PrintingCNC MachiningManual FabricationIntegrating Tactile SensorsGenerating 2D DrawingsGD&T (ASME Y14.5)Supplier SelectionFirst Article InspectionProduction RampDeveloping SpecificationsAccelerated Life Test PlansTolerance AnalysisStructural AnalysisThermal AnalysisCollaboration

Qualifications

3+ Years of Experience Building Complex, Miniaturized Electromechanical Systems

Full job description

About Mind

Mind Robotics is building Physical AI for real-world industrial deployment, starting with the factory floor. We believe the hardest problems in AI are solved when researchers and engineers are hands-on with the physical world every day - and we're looking for people who are passionate about robotics, value ownership, and are excited to tackle difficult problems. Join us if you want to move beyond digital intelligence and put intelligence into motion.

About the Role Human-like dexterity is one of the final frontiers in robotics. As a Mechanical Engineer on our Hands team, you will be responsible for designing, prototyping, and scaling the mechanical architecture of our dexterous hands and fingers. You will work at the intersection of high-precision mechanics, tactile sensing, and advanced manufacturing to build reliable, high-durability hardware that interacts directly with the physical world.

Responsibilities

  • Design and development of mechanical components and assemblies for dexterous hands — fingers, linkages, transmissions, and palm structures

  • Own designs from concept through production: parts that satisfy load conditions, durability, form factor, and packaging constraints in an extremely space-constrained envelope

  • Rapidly build, test, and break prototypes to validate assembly, range of motion, grasp performance, and wire routing. You'll use 3D printing, CNC machining, and manual fabrication

  • Integrate tactile sensors, actuators, motors, and wire harnesses into compact fingertip and palm geometries, working closely with the tactile sensing and actuation teams

  • Generate accurate 2D drawings using GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and drive parts through supplier selection, first article inspection, and production ramp

  • Develop specifications and accelerated life test plans (grasp cycles, impact, wear) to validate the hand for its lifetime

  • Perform basic analyses (tolerance, structural, thermal) to validate design decisions

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (electrical, firmware, controls, industrial design) to consolidate requirements and integrate the hand into the full robot system

Qualifications

  • Exceptional mechanical intuition. You understand how forces, materials, and mechanisms behave instinctively — especially small, high-cycle mechanisms

  • 3+ years of experience (or equivalent "hard tech" projects) building complex, miniaturized electromechanical systems — robotic hands, grippers, surgical robotics, prosthetics, precision mechanisms, or consumer wearables

  • High proficiency in SolidWorks, Catia, or similar tools; comfortable designing complex geometry in tight packaging

  • Experience with electromechanical integration — sensors, small motors, flex circuits, and wire harnesses in constrained volumes

  • Hands-on problem-solving approach with the ability to iterate quickly

  • Experience designing for volume processes (MIM, injection molding, micro-machining, CNC) and working with contract manufacturers

  • You are comfortable with ambiguity, move fast, and have an "engineering curiosity" that drives you to understand how the entire hand-arm system works, not just your part

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.