Senior Mechanical Engineer - Actuation
Apptronik
Salary undisclosed
Need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview? Contact us.
JobMinglr uses automated technology to recommend jobs based on profile information and job preferences. Match Score does not determine eligibility for a position, prevent a user from viewing or applying to a job, or make hiring decisions on behalf of an employer.
Description
Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
We're looking for highly motivated and talented engineers with hands-on experience and a passion for robotics to join our team. Specifically, we seek a Mechanical Engineer with proven capabilities in electric actuation design – electric motors, drivetrains, electromechanical packaging, joint/mechanism design, and testing to support the development of our next-generation humanoid robotics system.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Lead detailed design and analysis of actuators (rotary and linear)
- Guide junior engineers to improve their designs
- Collaborate with a small cross-disciplinary team of engineers
- Participate in creative brainstorming for concept generation
- Conduct engineering analysis to drive design decisions
- Compare concepts via iterative design, prototype, assembly, and test
- Perform analysis (FEA, etc.) to optimize and validate design
- Create GD&T-informed drawings, a Bill of Material, and procurement documentation
- Produce assembly instructions and finalize project documentation
- Participate in pilot build of your designs
- Perform DVP&R to ensure design meets requirements
- Iterate on design to harden for scalability and DFMA
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Mastery of engineering fundamentals / first principles
- High proficiency in CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar)
- Demonstrated hands-on experience prototyping and testing mechanical components.
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent teamwork and collaboration
- Outstanding organizational and time management skills
- The ability to multi-task and manage conflicting deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Great team player able to perform within a dynamic start-up environment
- Knowledge of kinematics, structures (statics), dynamics, joints/mechanisms, and electromechanical packaging optimization
- Experience in designing with planetary gears and linear transmissions is preferred
- Experience in humanoid/legged robotics is preferred
- Understanding of motor control systems and PCB layout principles is preferred
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- 6+ years in development of actuation and/or robotic systems or similar
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
- Hearing and speech to communicate
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
About this role
Apptronik is building humanoid robots designed to work alongside people in manufacturing, logistics, and beyond, and this role sits at the heart of making that possible. As Senior Mechanical Engineer for Actuation, you'll lead the design and optimization of the motors, drivetrains, and joints that give Apollo its capability to move and interact with the physical world. This means owning detailed actuator design from concept through production—running FEA analysis, building prototypes, testing in the field, and iterating toward designs that can scale. You'll mentor junior engineers, collaborate across a small cross-disciplinary team, and move quickly from brainstorm to pilot build.
The role demands deep hands-on experience in electric actuation systems and a track record shipping mechanical designs. You should be fluent in CAD, comfortable with kinematic and dynamic analysis, and skilled at translating requirements into GD&T drawings and assembly documentation. Experience with planetary gears, linear transmissions, or humanoid robotics is valuable; familiarity with motor control and PCB layout is a plus. This is a startup environment where you'll wear multiple hats, manage competing priorities, and see your work directly influence a product heading to market.
You'll need at least six years developing actuation or robotic systems, a degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent, and the ability to thrive in a hands-on, fast-moving team. The role is full-time and in-office in Austin.
How this employer is doing
solid
- H1B: Sponsors Visas
- Recently Raised Funding
- Sponsors Visas
In the news
Humanoid robot startup Apptronik has now raised $935M at a $5B+ valuation, TechCrunch
This role's local market on JobMinglr
Pay for this role
The employer didn't post a pay range for this role. That usually means pay is set in negotiation, which favors whoever arrives with numbers. Check ranges on comparable Senior Mechanical Engineer - Actuation postings in Austin, and analyze any offer before you accept it.
Before you apply, worth reading
How JobMinglr reads this job
Every listing here is scored against your profile before you apply: skills overlap, experience level, location and work arrangement, each weighted and explained. You see the score and the reasons, not just a list. How the matching works.