R&D Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer Mid to Senior, research and productization 4-7 years

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The job description

Tech stack. Rapid prototyping, novel mechanism design, advanced materials evaluation, FEA for exploratory design, patent drafting support, technology de-risking, custom test method development, soft materials

About the role

You will invent the mechanical core of future products at a research-driven company developing soft robotic grippers for delicate food handling where bruised produce is rejected product. Your work begins before a product exists and before specifications are written: exploring new mechanism concepts, proving them with fast prototypes, and de-risking the physics so product teams can commercialize with confidence instead of hope. You will explore widely, measure honestly including negative results, and hand off technology that is proven and characterized, not just promising in a demo video.

What you will achieve

Demonstrate at least one novel gripper concept per year with measured grasp performance (grip force, gentleness via pressure mapping, cycle life) that beats the current approach by a documented margin.
De-risk key technologies through targeted experiments with clear success criteria, delivering design rules, characterization data, and known-limitation documents that product teams build on directly.
File patent applications on novel mechanisms, materials approaches, and control-relevant mechanical innovations, building the company's IP moat in strategically important areas.
Evaluate emerging materials and manufacturing methods (soft elastomers, compliant mechanisms, multi-material additive processes) and recommend adoption or rejection with quantified benefit and risk analysis.
Support the first product integration of your technology through EVT, staying engaged until the research transfers cleanly and the product team can evolve it independently.

What you will bring

Must-haves

4 to 7 years of experience with a strong record of novel mechanical design, ideally in R&D or advanced development roles with tangible outcomes.
Strong mechanics fundamentals combined with creativity in mechanism synthesis, compliant design, and materials-aware thinking.
Demonstrated ability to go from idea to working prototype independently and quickly, building your own fixtures and test setups.
Comfort defining your own experiments, metrics, and success criteria under genuine ambiguity.
Excellent documentation habits so research results, including failures and dead ends, transfer intact to product teams.
BS in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent; MS or PhD valued.

Nice-to-haves

Patents filed or peer-reviewed publications in mechanisms, robotics, or soft materials.
Experience with soft robotics, compliant mechanisms, or bio-inspired design approaches.
Familiarity with food-safe materials, hygienic design principles, and washdown requirements.
Knowledge of pneumatic or tendon-driven actuation for soft systems.