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Principal Mechanical Engineer

Aescape· Hardware Engineering
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NYC/Metro Area, Boston$250k - $280k + equity + bonusFull-timePosted 3w ago

About the role

Technical lead for the mechanical engineering domain at a robotics/physical AI company, owning the mechanical master model and driving system-level integration across actuators, drivetrain, structure, and adjacent mechanisms. Hands-on role focused on design, analysis, prototyping, validation, cost reduction, and production transfer, with cross-functional collaboration and leadership.

Responsibilities

  • Mechanical Architecture & System Integration: Own the mechanical master model and drive system-level integration across the platform, ensuring actuators, drivetrain, structure, and adjacent mechanisms come together as one coherent machine. Make the architecture-level tradeoffs: cost, weight, acoustics, reliability, and perceived quality.
  • Design, Analysis & Validation: Lead design, analysis, prototyping, and validation of mechanical subsystems across deployed fleet and next-generation platforms. Build and test prototypes, drive decisions from test data and physics.
  • Design Methodology & Technical Leadership: Set CAD standards, FEA and tolerance rigor; lead CAD reviews, design reviews, architectural guidance, and mentor engineers and contractors.
  • Cost Engineering & DFM: Identify and engineer out hidden costs, refine manufacturability, create tooling/fixtures, analyze and improve assembly processes for cost and quality.
  • Manufacturing & Supplier Partnership: Collaborate with supply chain, contract manufacturer, and suppliers; lead prototype builds through NPI to production; produce docs for production transfer (CAD, BOMs, drawings, cost reports).
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Work with Electrical, Firmware, Controls, Operations, and Quality on motor selection, drivers, sensors, reliability, and production readiness.
  • Technology Roadmap: Contribute mechanical perspective to technology roadmap; evaluate actuation, transmissions, sensing, and structure options for future cost/performance improvements.
  • Travel: As needed for supplier and CM engagements, including international travel.

Qualifications

  • BS in Mechanical Engineering (MS preferred) with 10+ years of mechanical engineering experience, including work on actuators, drivetrains, or complex motorized mechanical assemblies for human-interaction or safety-relevant products (robotics, medical devices, industrial automation, automotive, or similar).
  • System-Level Ownership: Track record of owning mechanical architecture and system-level integration; senior technical authority for a mechanical domain.
  • CAD & Analysis Depth: Expert in SolidWorks with strong FEA, kinematics, dynamics, GD&T, and tolerance analysis.
  • Manufacturing Knowledge: Deep knowledge of sheet metal, welding, casting, CNC machining, injection molding; experience with contract manufacturers through EVT/DVT/PVT to mass production.
  • Cost Engineering: Proven history of cost-down initiatives and should-cost modeling.
  • Hands-On Builder: Prototyping, instrumentation, testing; comfortable in lab and factory.
  • Cross-Disciplinary Fluency: Able to collaborate with Electrical, Firmware, and Controls as part of an electromechanical system.
  • Technical Leadership: Ability to raise team standards via reviews and architectural guidance.
  • Pragmatic Judgment: Able to make calls on tradeoffs with limited data; know when to test vs decide.
  • Craftsmanship & Taste: High standards for machine aesthetics and user experience.
  • Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity and fast-moving startup environment; willing to take on additional work when required.

Benefits

  • 100% employer-paid healthcare coverage for employees with generous coverage for eligible dependents
  • Flexible time off
  • Quarterly Wellness Days - everyone fully unplugs
  • Generous parental leave
  • Complimentary OneMedical membership
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Home office budget
  • Annual stipend for professional development
  • Dinner provided when working late
  • Complimentary Aescape recovery sessions for you, friends & family
Last updated Oct 1, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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