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Staff Drivetrain Engineer

Apptronik· Hardware
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Austin, TXfull-timePosted 3w ago

About the role

Staff Drivetrain Engineer responsible for drivetrain design, gear design, gearbox architectures, testing, and bringing Apollo drivetrain concepts to market at scale within a robotics startup.

Responsibilities

  • Conceptualize, design, build, and test drivetrain technologies for use in electric actuators
  • Design drivetrains to optimize for mass, volume, inertia, efficiency, torques, and speeds
  • Design gear tooth profiles to optimize for backlash, efficiency, strength, and lifetime
  • Select layout and type of bearings based on performance characteristics, loads, and packaging
  • Select lubrication strategy with maintenance, performance, and lifetime in mind
  • Perform analysis (FEA, gear analysis software, static analysis, etc) to optimize and validate design
  • Select materials and manufacturing methods to optimize for actuation performance and cost
  • 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 design
  • Perform DVP&R to ensure design meets requirements
  • Iterate on design to harden for scalability and DFMA
  • Collaborate with a small cross-disciplinary team of engineers

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • 8+ years of experience in development of drivetrains, gearboxes, actuators, or similar, specifically within the robotics, automotive, or aerospace industries
  • High proficiency in gear design software (KISSsoft, Romax, or similar) and CAD (NX, Solidworks, Onshape, etc)
  • Strong understanding of gear manufacturing technologies, gear analysis, and tribology
  • Extensive knowledge of types of gearboxes (planetary, spur gear, etc) and relevant industry standards (AGMA, SAE, ISO, etc)
  • Mastery of engineering fundamentals / first principles
  • 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

Skills

Required:Gear design softwareCAD softwareGearbox knowledgeEngineering fundamentalsTeamwork and communication
Last updated Oct 4, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Apptronik

One Platform for the Future of Work

Apptronik designs humanoid robotics platforms with mobility, manipulation, and human-centered interaction to support people in the workplace.

3PLApolloApollo for ManufacturingApollo for RetailApollo for WarehouseBuilt for the Real WorldForm That Fits the WorkGoods-to-Person
Company profileWebsite

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