Mechanical Engineer, Soft Goods Design
Core
Lead engineering, characterization, and productionization of flexible and compliant components in robotic platforms, translating material concepts into engineered subsystems that meet functional, durability, and manufacturing requirements.
Role type
Mechanical Engineer (Soft Goods Design)
Builds
Robotic platforms integrating flexible materials with rigid hardware, sensors, and actuators
Domain
Robotics / Soft Goods / Materials Science
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | infrastructure
Required skills
Mechanical engineering fundamentals, FEA analysis, material characterization (elastomers, foams, textiles), test method development, supply chain collaboration, contract manufacturing coordination, system-level tradeoff analysis, documentation
Preferred skills
A-surface and cosmetic component development, integrating soft components into robotic/wearable/medical/automotive systems, environmental/durability testing, transitioning prototypes to production designs
Technologies
FEA tools, bonding, molding, lamination, sewn assemblies, composite layups
Responsibilities
Design and integrate compliant or flexible materials into mechanical subsystems and rigid hardware interfaces; Leverage FEA tools to characterize material behavior under operational loads; Develop test methods and validation protocols to evaluate durability, performance, and failure modes; Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transition early prototypes into manufacturable designs; Source and evaluate materials in collaboration with supply chain partners and specialty fabricators; Work with contract manufacturers on fabrication methods; Analyze system-level tradeoffs between compliance, durability, manufacturability, and integration constraints; Document material specifications, test data, and mechanical performance; Investigate field failures and iterate designs based on observed wear patterns and performance degradation
Seniority
Mid-Senior, hands-on IC