Job SummaryApptronik is seeking a
Staff Mechanical Engineer to serve as the technical lead for Apollo's upper body. This is a high-visibility leadership role responsible for the torso, head, and arm assemblies.
You will own the complete lifecycle-architecture, design, integration, and verification-of the upper body stack. This position requires a rare blend of deep kinematic expertise and the ability to solve extreme "packaging" challenges, where high-performance compute, high-density batteries, and sensitive perception sensors must coexist within a compact, dynamic, and thermally-constrained frame. Finally, you will be responsible for translating visionary industrial design into high-fidelity, functional A-surfaces.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIESSystem Architecture & Industrial Design Integration- Upper Body Ownership: Define the mechanical architecture for the torso, head, and arms. Lead the trade-off studies between mass distribution, range of motion (ROM), and structural rigidity.
- ID Intent & A-Surfaces: Serve as the primary bridge between Industrial Design (ID) and Engineering. Responsible for incorporating ID intent into final A-surfaces, ensuring that mechanical constraints (draft, wall thickness, cooling vents) do not compromise the iconic Apollo head design language and brand identity.
- Aesthetic & Functional Synthesis: Manage the complex surfacing of the robot's "skin," ensuring seamless transitions between structural elements and aesthetic covers while maintaining IP (Ingress Protection) and thermal venting requirements.
Complex Mechanism Design- Kinematic Structures: Drive the development of high-performance robotic limbs. Design innovative mechanisms that manage extreme dynamic loads while maintaining the precision required for human-like manipulation.
- Structural Integrity: Lead the design of the primary "chassis" (torso) to protect internal electronics from high-energy impact events (e.g., falls) using advanced materials and topology optimization.
High-Density Integration- Subsystem Packaging: Lead the tight-space integration of the compute cluster (NVIDIA Jetson/SoMs), battery modules, and perception sensors (LiDAR, Depth Cameras) within the torso and head.
- Interconnect & Cable Management: Architect the routing strategy for complex wire harnesses through high-flex joints (shoulders, neck, elbows), ensuring multi-million cycle reliability and signal integrity.
Verification & Leadership- DVT Ownership: Define and execute the Design Verification Test (DVT) plan for the upper body stack, including environmental, vibration, and lifecycle testing.
- Technical Mentorship: Conduct deep-dive design reviews and establish company-wide standards for high-performance robotic design, mentoring senior and junior engineers.
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS- Experience: B.S in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of 8 years of experience in mechanical design of complex robotic systems
- Drive Through Influence: A proven ability to lead technical initiatives and align cross-functional stakeholders without direct reporting authority. You must be able to build consensus on complex architectural trade-offs.
- Surfacing Expertise: Proven ability to work with Class-A surfaces and complex geometries; expert-level proficiency in surfacing tools within SolidWorks, NX, Catia...
- Subject Matter Expertise: Proven track record of designing multi-axis robotic arms or high-DOF dynamic mechanisms.
- Packaging Mastery: Exceptional skills in "tight-space" integration; experience with ruggedized electronics packaging or automotive/aerospace interiors is a plus.
- Education: BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
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.
