Deft AI

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

San Francisco · Senior

Sponsorship not specified$120k-$250kDetected 97 days ago

PythonMATLABData StructuresSolidWorksCATIAFEAGD&TMechanical DesignElectrical EngineeringCommunicationProblem SolvingTolerance AnalysisActuators

About the role

Design, prototype, and iterate on multi-DOF hand mechanisms including finger linkages, joint assemblies, and palm structures, optimizing for compactness, weight, payload, and cost.
Perform structural FEA, tolerance stack-ups, and GD&T for all hand components, and release detailed drawings for machining, 3D printing, and injection molding.
Drive rapid design-build-test cycles - you'll be in the lab as much as at your desk, assembling prototypes, running tests, and feeding results back into the next revision.
Collaborate closely with electrical engineering on sensor placement, cable management, and thermal constraints, and with the software team on joint kinematics and control interfaces.
Manage suppliers to execute projects according to the design specifications and tight timelines.
You will own the end-to-end mechanical design of new robotic humanoid hand/end-effector designs for Deft's next generation wheeled humanoid robot, cooperating with and reporting directly to the CEO.
Basic understanding of electrical and thermal design fundamentals.

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or equivalent degree.
3+ years of experience designing complex electromechanical assemblies, with at least some work on robotic actuators, mechanisms, or precision mechanisms.
Track record of taking a complex electromechanical product from concept to production
High proficiency in designing parts and assemblies using 3D modeling software (CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Onshape).
High proficiency in GD&T engineering drawings and conducting tolerance stack-up analysis.
Experience with designing for fabrication methods of low volume manufacturing and high volume manufacturing.
Familiarity with PCBAs and electronics packaging.
Familiarity with the interdependencies between electronics, mechanics and embedded software.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work in unstructured and high-pressure environments.

Proficiency in heat transfer and experience in transient thermal analysis.
Python/Matlab knowledge, both in data structure management, UI development, symbolic equations, and iterative solvers.

Medical, dental & vision plans ($0 payroll deduction)
Daily meals stipend
$120,000 - $250,000 annually + equity + benefits
The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role.

This listing is sourced directly from Deft AI's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.