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Actuator Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Robotics Mechanical Eng Rotary Actuator Systems

Reading, MA · On-site

$110K - $145K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Sr. Robotics Mechanical Engineer for Rotary Actuator Systems at Amazon Robotics, you will be a subject matter expert that owns the design, development, architecture testing and delivery of next ...

JOB SUMMARY We are seeking a Firmware Engineer to help develop actuation and motor control firmware for humanoid robots. You will collaborate with our existing actuation firmware team to design ...

Mechanical Engineer - Actuators

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$107K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You will contribute to actuator development from early concepts and technical viability decisions ... Deliver accurate CAD models, engineering drawings, BOMs, tolerance definitions, and interface ...

JOB SUMMARY We are seeking a Firmware Engineer to help develop actuation and motor control firmware for humanoid robots. You will collaborate with our existing actuation firmware team to design ...

Operator (Actuator Assembly)

Houston, TX · On-site

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

Assemble actuator components according to technical specifications and engineering drawings * Operate assembly equipment and tools safely and efficiently * Perform quality inspections and ...

Operator (Actuator Assembly)

Houston, TX · On-site

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

Assemble actuator components according to technical specifications and engineering drawings * Operate assembly equipment and tools safely and efficiently * Perform quality inspections and ...

Showing results 21-40

Actuator Engineer information

What does an actuator engineer do?

An Actuator Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing actuators, which are devices that convert energy into motion in mechanical systems. They work on selecting appropriate actuator types (such as electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic), ensuring the devices meet technical requirements, and integrating them into larger systems. Actuator Engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize performance, reliability, and efficiency of the actuators in applications like robotics, automotive, aerospace, and industrial automation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an actuator engineer?

To thrive as an Actuator Engineer, you generally need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, with expertise in electromechanical systems and motion control. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools (such as MATLAB/Simulink), and industry certifications in automation or mechatronics is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help an actuator engineer excel in both design and troubleshooting contexts. These competencies ensure the reliable development and integration of actuators, which are critical for the performance and safety of automated systems.

What are the typical challenges actuator engineers face when integrating actuators into complex systems?

Actuator Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring compatibility between actuators and the mechanical, electrical, or control systems they interact with. Common issues include managing space constraints, meeting strict performance requirements, mitigating unwanted vibrations, and ensuring reliable communication with control units. Successful Actuator Engineers collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical designers, software developers, and system integrators, to address these challenges and optimize actuator performance within the overall system.

What is the difference between Actuator Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectActuator EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering; often certifications in control systemsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; may include certifications in CAD or project management
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing actuators, working in R&D labs or manufacturing facilitiesDesigning mechanical systems, working in design offices, manufacturing plants, or field sites
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, robotics, industrial automationAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing, product design

While both roles involve engineering principles, Actuator Engineers focus specifically on designing and developing actuators used in automation and robotics, whereas Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working on various mechanical systems and components across industries.

More about Actuator Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Actuator Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Actuator Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Actuator Engineer jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Actuator Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Actuator Engineer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Actuator Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Sr. Robotics Mechanical Eng Rotary Actuator Systems

Amazon

North Reading, MA • On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,096 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Shape the future of robotic actuation. As a Sr. Robotics Mechanical Engineer for Rotary Actuator Systems at Amazon Robotics, you will be a subject matter expert that owns the design, development, architecture testing and delivery of next generation rotary actuator systems for our advanced robotic platforms.

Innovate on actuation hardware that operates at unprecedented scale across hundreds of fulfillment sites worldwide, pushing the boundaries of what robotics can achieve. You'll own the full actuator design lifecycle from concept through scaled deployment, combining deep fundamentals in mechanism design with innovation to shape the future of robotics.
As a Robotics Actuation technical guide, you will use your expertise specializing in rotary actuators focused on high torque density, precision gear trains, motor integration, and lifecycle validation for high performance robotics. You will create detailed motor architectures, conduct FEA simulation, prototype testing and production validation, and drive end to end actuator system delivery

The ideal candidate has expertise in Brushless DC (BLDC) motor design, Quasi Direct Drive (QDD) and Strain Wave Gearing architectures, enjoys fundamental concepts, analytical problem solving, possesses practical knowledge of high volume manufacturing methods for precision rotating machinery and is a role model for engineering best practices in actuation and robotics.
Key job responsibilities
-Serve as the machine design expert and authority for robotic rotary actuator programs, delivering quality documentation to meet product requirements
-Own electromagnetic and mechanical design of actuators that includes custom motors and gear boxes (may consist of Strain Wave Gearing or Quasi Direct Drive systems) including topology, permanent magnet selection, FEA and thermal modeling
-Drive the technical roadmap for next generation rotary actuator systems, executing architectural breakthroughs
-Steer electronics packaging, mechanical transmission design, ICDs, spec sheets and assembly sequences
-Own vendor interactions while embedding Design for Excellence fundamentals across manufacturability, reliability, testability and serviceability
-Write functional specifications, design verification plans and test procedures ensuring engineering best practices
-Conduct simulation, evaluation, testing and validation of actuator and electromechanical systems against performance and safety standards
-Perform structural and bolted joint evaluations, preload calculations and fatigue life assessment
-Provide engineering guidance on brake integration, grease selection and environmental sealing
-Drive continuous improvement and design for manufacturability across high volume production environments
-Collaborate with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Quality to ensure smooth product launch and sustaining
-Mentor junior engineers and model thorough engineering analysis and cradle to grave ownership
A day in the life
Amazon offers a full range of benefits that support you and eligible family members, including domestic partners. Benefits can vary by location, the number of regularly scheduled hours you work, length of employment, and job status such as seasonal or temporary employment.

The benefits that generally apply to regular, full-time employees include:
1. Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
2. Maternity and Parental Leave Options
3.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
4. 401(k) Plan
If you are not sure that every qualification on the list above describes you exactly, we'd still love to hear from you. At Amazon, we value people with unique backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets.

If you're passionate about this role and want to make an impact on a global scale, please apply.


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About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US