Mechatronics Engineer, Robotics (Mechanical)

At Reality Labs Research our goal is to develop the next generation of hardware systems. We are looking for a Principal Mechatronics Engineer whose technical specialty is mechanical systems to lead the system architecture, detailed design, integration, and measured characterization of complex robotic hardware.

The ideal candidate combines deep first-principles mechanical engineering with working fluency at the interfaces to actuation, sensing, electronics, firmware, controls, calibration, thermal engineering, safety, and validation. They will own the system implementation and contribute the data and interfaces needed by adjacent teams.

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture and detailed design of robotic systems from early concepts through integrated prototypes, repeatable builds, and technology transfer
Design mechanisms, joints, transmissions, structures, bearings, routing, and precision assemblies, including actuator and sensor integration
Translate research goals into measurable requirements and make tradeoffs across force, speed, range, accuracy, mass, thermal performance, durability, safety, and serviceability
Model and measure kinematics, loads, inertia, compliance, friction, backlash, and vibration, and use the results to improve hardware
Build instrumented prototypes and run experiments that explain integrated-system failures and validate design decisions
Define the mechanical data and interfaces needed by controls, electrical, firmware, simulation, thermal, safety, and validation partners
Set technical direction across programs, resolve cross-organizational decisions under ambiguity, mentor other engineers, and guide suppliers and research partners toward manufacturable, serviceable, and repeatable hardware

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
12+ years of experience developing complex mechanical, robotic, or electromechanical systems, including setting technical direction across multiple teams or programs from architecture through hardware validation
Experience owning a dynamic hardware system through architecture, detailed design, build, integration, test, and design iteration
Expertise in 3D CAD, load paths, structures, joints, bearings, fits, tolerance analysis, materials, manufacturing processes, released drawings, and assembly
Experience applying kinematics, statics, dynamics, structural analysis, and first-principles calculations to mechanisms, transmissions, and actuator sizing
Experience integrating motors, transmissions, position or force sensors, wiring, and electronics into compact mechanisms
Working knowledge of feedback-controlled systems, sensors, timing, and operating limits, with experience characterizing dynamic hardware well enough to make sound mechanical decisions and debug integrated systems Experience integrating tactile, force/torque, position, current, temperature, or other sensing into tightly packaged mechanisms
Experience designing for rapid research iteration, manufacturability, serviceability, and repeatable assembly
Experience designing flex and harness routing, calibration features, and durable sensor integration
Experience using Python, MATLAB/Simulink, or equivalent tools for modeling and experimental analysis
Experience correlating multibody, structural, or simplified dynamic models with physical measurements
Experience identifying inertia, friction, compliance, backlash, resonance, or temperature-dependent behavior from test data