About the role
You will play a key role in the technical development of high-performance gearboxes and compact actuation systems for humanoid robots, cobots, and wearable devices. You will combine innovative mechanical engineering with practical execution, turning novel concepts into industry-grade products from initial requirement definition through to 3D designs and detailed manufacturing drawings.
You will take end-to-end ownership of gearbox and actuation projects, balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and safety trade-offs. Working closely with external suppliers, prototype workshops, and cross-functional partners, you will oversee component procurement, coordinate assembly and validation, and rapidly iterate designs toward full industrial production.
This position is in the early-stage startup environment. You should be ready for ambiguity, tight schedules, shifting priorities, rapid iteration, close collaboration with the CEO/CTO, and wider responsibility for decisions that shape the final product.
Responsibilities
Own end-to-end development for new gearbox/actuation projects: requirements, design, prototyping, verification, and industrialization.
Make technical decisions based on the trade-offs, communicate rationale, and drive prototype/product delivery with minimal supervision.
Manage external suppliers and prototype workshops: oversee parts design, parts procurement/manufacturing with external partners, validation, and assembly.
Optimize designs for performance, manufacturability, cost, reliability, serviceability, and safety.
Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation to stakeholders.
Main requirements
Proven experience with small gearboxes, transmissions, and compact actuators.
Other requirements
Several years of industrial mechanical design and prototype experience.
Demonstrated product or design ownership: examples of projects you drove end-to-end, including decisions made and outcomes delivered.
Ability to operate autonomously: identify problems, propose concrete solutions, prioritize actions, execute without step-by-step instructions, and escalate appropriately.
Experience in 3D CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent) from concept models to detailed drawings suitable for manufacturing.
Solid understanding of relevant mechanical components: gears, shafts, bearings, seals, couplings, housings, fasteners, preloads, and fits.
Practical experience applying geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T) for precision assemblies.
Knowledge of material selection for drivetrain components: material trade-offs for strength, wear, weight, and manufacturability.
Solid understanding of constraints of manufacturing methods for small gearbox components: CNC turning/milling, hobbing/gear cutting, broaching, gear grinding, EDM, heat treatment, surface finishing, injection molding, die casting, and additive manufacturing.
Fluent English.
Nice to have, but not mandatory
Leadership or mentoring experience.
Experience with backdrivable, low-inertia, high-efficiency transmissions.
