OpenAI

Mechanical Engineer, Dynamometer and Actuator Testing Infrastructure

OpenAI$110K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related field
  • Experience designing mechanical systems for robotic actuator dynamometers and high-performance hardware
  • Strong understanding of load paths, shafts, bearings, and tolerances
  • Proficiency in CAD tools like NX, SolidWorks, or Creo
  • Familiarity with structural and thermal analysis methods
  • Hands-on experience in machine assembly and lab prototyping
  • Knowledge of mechanical safety protocols for rotating equipment

Responsibilities

  • Own the mechanical architecture for test cells including frames and alignment
  • Design robotic actuator fixtures and dynamometer structures
  • Translate testing requirements into mechanical systems for various performance metrics
  • Perform analysis and simulations for safety and strength
  • Create strategies for precise alignment and protection of testing equipment
  • Design modular fixtures for quick adaptation to different actuators
  • Collaborate with electrical and software engineers to define operational limits

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
  • Opportunity to design and iterate on advanced test equipment
  • Hands-on lab involvement and direct impact on product development
  • Focus on safety and innovative engineering solutions
  • Strong emphasis on personal ownership of projects and responsibilities
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and own the mechanical side of our robotic actuator dynamometer and test infrastructure. You will create the test stands, couplings, fixtures, load paths, guarding, and serviceable lab hardware that enable rigorous characterization of robotic actuators. This role combines precision mechanical design with hands-on lab work. You will take robotic actuator test infrastructure from requirements and analysis through CAD, fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and iteration, partnering closely with electrical and software engineers to deliver safe, flexible, high-uptime test cells. In this role, you will - Own the mechanical architecture of dynamometer and actuator test cells, including frames, bases, load paths, alignment, guarding, and serviceability. - Design dynamometer structures, robotic actuator fixtures, load-motor mounts, couplings, shafts, bearings, adapters, and torque-reaction hardware. - Translate robotic actuator test requirements into robust mechanical systems for torque, speed, thermal, durability, backdrive, efficiency, and failure testing. - Perform first-principles analysis and simulation for stiffness, strength, fatigue, vibration, thermal growth, critical speed, and safety factors. - Create precise, repeatable alignment strategies that protect test articles, load machines, sensors, and couplings. - Design modular fixturing that supports rapid changeover across actuator and motor variants without compromising measurement quality. - Work closely with electrical engineers on cable routing, enclosures, cooling, sensor packaging, and test-cell safety interfaces. - Work closely with software and controls engineers to define mechanical limits, safe operating envelopes, and automated-test constraints. - Build, assemble, debug, and improve test stands in the lab, using measurement and fabrication tools directly. - Develop guarding, containment, pinch-point mitigation, hard stops, and other mechanical safety systems for high-energy rotating equipment. - Manage fabrication partners and vendors for machined parts, weldments, bearings, couplings, sensors, and test-stand components. - Establish drawings, tolerance stacks, assembly procedures, inspection plans, and preventive-maintenance practices. - Use test observations and failure analysis to continuously improve durability, usability, uptime, and measurement fidelity. You might thrive in this role if you - Have strong intuition for load paths, stiffness, alignment, rotating machinery, and the practical behavior of real hardware. - Enjoy designing fixtures and structures that are precise, robust, safe, and easy for others to use. - Are highly hands-on and comfortable assembling, aligning, instrumenting, and debugging test equipment. - Can move fluidly between first-principles analysis, CAD, vendor collaboration, and lab iteration. - Care about details such as tolerances, runout, resonance, thermal growth, guarding, and serviceability. - Are comfortable working in fast-moving environments with evolving test needs and aggressive technical goals. - Take ownership of the full test-stand lifecycle, from concept through reliable daily operation. - Communicate clearly across mechanical, electrical, controls, software, safety, and operations teams. - Are motivated by building infrastructure that reveals how advanced robotic actuators really perform. - Are excited to build mechanical test infrastructure that accelerates robotic actuator development. Preferred qualifications - Preferred qualifications - Bachelor's or graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field. - Experience designing mechanical systems for robotic actuator dynamometers, robotics, automation, rotating machinery, aerospace, automotive, or similar high-performance hardware. - Strong understanding of structures, load paths, shafts, bearings, couplings, fasteners, tolerances, alignment, and vibration. - Experience designing fixtures, test stands, frames, guarding, and precision mechanical interfaces. - Proficiency with CAD and drawing release workflows; NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent experience is welcome. - Experience with structural, thermal, fatigue, or modal analysis and applying results to practical hardware decisions. - Hands-on experience with assembly, machining, metrology, alignment, and troubleshooting in a lab or prototype environment. - Familiarity with mechanical safety for rotating equipment, containment, interlocks, and safe operating envelopes.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory consisting of the for-profit corporation OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc. The company was founded in 2015 by a group of technology leaders, including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, and John Schulman. OpenAI's mission is to develop and promote friendly AI for the betterment of humanity. The company has developed a number of cutting-edge AI technologies, including GPT-3, a language processing system that can generate human-like text. OpenAI has received funding from a number of high-profile investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and venture capitalist Peter Thiel.
Learn more about OpenAI
Size
100 employees
Industry
Founded
2015

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