Hardware Engineering Team Lead – Dexterous Hand

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $250,000–$270,000 

About the Role

We are looking for a Hardware Engineering Team Lead to lead the design and development of advanced dexterous hands for humanoid robots. You will own the hardware architecture from concept to production, including actuators, joints, structures, sensing, transmissions, and system integration.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong expertise in mechatronics, precision mechanical design, and robotics. You will work closely with Controls, Firmware, ML, Manufacturing, and Product teams to deliver reliable, high-performance robotic manipulation systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of hardware engineers, setting technical direction and engineering standards.
• Own the design and architecture of robotic hands, wrists, and end-effectors.
• Drive development from concept, prototyping, and testing through production release.
• Design and integrate actuators, transmissions, structures, sensing systems, and cabling.
• Define and execute validation plans for performance, reliability, durability, thermal behavior, and field robustness.
• Partner closely with Controls, Firmware, ML, and Manufacturing teams to optimize system performance.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) best practices.
• Work with suppliers and internal fabrication teams to support development and production.
• Take ownership of subsystem performance and real-world manipulation capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor''s or Master''s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex mechatronic systems in robotics, aerospace, automotive, surgical devices, or similar industries.
• Proven experience leading engineers and delivering products from concept to production.
• Strong knowledge of machine design, dynamics, mechanics of materials, GD&T, and precision mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience with BLDC motors, planetary, harmonic, or cycloidal drive systems.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent.
• Experience with engineering analysis, testing, troubleshooting, and hardware validation.
• Strong hands-on prototyping and cross-functional problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with humanoid robots, robotic arms, dexterous hands, or end-effectors.
• Knowledge of tactile, force, or torque sensing systems.
• Experience with low-volume manufacturing and product scaling.
• Python or similar scripting experience for test automation and data analysis.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off and parental leave.
• Commuter benefits and access to a state-of-the-art robotics lab.