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Robot Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Design Engineer

San Mateo, CA

$86K - $117K/yr

Position Overview We are looking for Mechanical Design Engineers to create and fabricate robotic systems for teleoperation, human-robot interaction and data collection. You will be responsible for ...

At Matrix Design, we are committed to Developing Great People , Building a Great Company , and ... SUMMARY The Robot Programmer plays a critical role in supporting the programming, installation ...

Robot Programmer

Bartlett, IL · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

At Matrix Design, we are committed to Developing Great People , Building a Great Company , and ... Install, configure, and test robotic and automated systems based on engineering specifications.

At Matrix Design, we are committed to Developing Great People , Building a Great Company , and ... Install, configure, and test robotic and automated systems based on engineering specifications.

Coach - First Robotics

Monticello, MN · On-site

$17.25 - $22.50/hr

Oversee robot design, build, and competition preparation during the season * Organize and coordinate off-season training, fundraising, and outreach initiatives * Manage team logistics, schedules, and ...

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Robot Design information

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How much do robot design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for robot design in the United States is $36.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.53 and $43.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for someone working in Robot Design?

Professionals in Robot Design typically spend their days developing detailed schematics, modeling components in CAD software, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and refine robotic systems. Their work involves testing prototypes, troubleshooting technical issues, and iterating designs based on performance data and project feedback. They also often participate in interdisciplinary meetings with software engineers, project managers, and clients to align project goals and timelines. Staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends is also an important part of their routine.

What is a Robot Design job?

A Robot Design job involves creating and developing robots for various applications, including industrial automation, healthcare, and consumer products. Designers work on the mechanical structure, electrical components, and software integration to ensure functionality and efficiency. They collaborate with engineers and researchers to prototype, test, and refine robotic systems. The role requires knowledge of engineering principles, programming, and AI to build intelligent and adaptable machines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Robot Design position, and why are they important?

To excel in Robot Design, you typically need expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, often supported by a related degree or industry certification. Familiarity with CAD software, robotics simulation tools, programming languages (such as Python or C++), and rapid prototyping equipment is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective teamwork skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure the successful creation, testing, and integration of robotic systems while meeting both technical and user requirements.

More about Robot Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Robot Design jobs? Cities with the most Robot Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Robot Design jobs? The most popular types of Robot Design jobs are:
What states have the most Robot Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Robot Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Robot Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,712 per year, or $36.9 per hour.
Mechanical Design Engineer: Robotics Hardware Engineering, Robot Design

Mechanical Design Engineer: Robotics Hardware Engineering, Robot Design

Meta

Redmond, WA

$173K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 245 rated software companies


Job description

At Meta, we're building the future of human connection and the technology that enables it. This means continuously inventing and developing technologies for the next generation of experiences.To continue our efforts in the path to AGI, and as we move closer to a future with intelligent robots and advanced AI models, we're hiring talent across a broad range of disciplines from robotics hardware to system software, machine perception, and artificial intelligence. These crucial projects and initiatives taken on by this team have never been done before, so you have a rare opportunity to help us create new ways people connect around the world.The Meta Robotics Hardware team is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer focused on Robot Design with expertise in both advanced complex surface modeling and design for safety to exist between mechanical and industrial design teams. You will own the mechanical design of structural components, impact-attenuating structures, and human-contact surfaces — ensuring every external element of the product is both aesthetically refined and engineered to protect people during interaction. This role requires someone equally comfortable running crush-force calculations and building Class-A surfacing in CAD. This role will be part of a ME team responsible for concept development, analytical modeling, prototype design, first article build, fabrication, vendor management, and testing. Candidates should be comfortable working in a high ambiguity, fast paced environment where full system requirements are seldom known. This team is dedicated to building hardware that enables learning through data collection and system testing.
Mechanical Design Engineer: Robotics Hardware Engineering, Robot Design Responsibilities:
  • Translate industrial design intent (from ID models, renderings, and printed busts) into CAD geometry with complex, multi-patch surface construction
  • Build and maintain Class-A and high-quality B-surface models for exterior robot panels, covers, and housings using advanced surfacing techniques (G2/G3 continuity, multi-span lofts, curvature-matched blends)
  • Manage the tension between aesthetic design intent, safety, structural, thermal, and manufacturing feasibility — negotiate changes that satisfy all three
  • Develop parametric surfacing strategies that allow rapid iteration on form while preserving engineering constraints (wall thickness, draft, undercut limits, parting lines)
  • Define and enforce safe-by-design guidelines: minimum edge radii, maximum surface hardness, breakaway/compliant panel strategies, and finger/limb entrapment gap standards
  • Design protective structures that limit contact force and pressure to safe thresholds during intended and unintended human-robot interaction
  • Own the mechanical safety architecture of the humanoid platform — exterior shells, padding systems, compliant covers, pinch-point elimination, and edge-radius standards
  • Conduct and maintain risk assessments (per ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066, and emerging collaborative/humanoid robot safety standards) to identify hazards from moving parts, contact forces, and entrapment geometries
  • Perform hand calculations and FEA for impact, crush, and pinch scenarios
  • define material and geometry requirements that bound contact forces within safety limits
  • Collaborate with controls and firmware teams to ensure mechanical safety features complement electronic safety systems (force limiting, collision detection, safe stop)
  • Support safety certification efforts — prepare design evidence packages, test plans, and compliance documentation for regulatory submissions
  • Investigate and resolve safety-related findings from testing, user studies, and hazard reviews
  • Define and enforce surface quality standards: curvature continuity specs, reflection line criteria, and acceptable deviation from design intent
  • Work closely with DFMA engineers and molding vendors to ensure complex surfaces are manufacturable via injection molding, thermoforming, or composite layup — resolving draft, undercut, and flow challenges
  • Generate and manage scan-to-CAD workflows when iterating from physical models or prototypes
  • Produce rendered visualizations and surface analysis outputs (zebra stripes, curvature combs, deviation maps) to communicate design quality to stakeholders
  • Partner with industrial designers to jointly develop forms that are safe, beautiful, and buildable
  • Collaborate with mechanical design engineers on structural integration — mounting, sealing, cable routing, and serviceability behind exterior panels
  • Work with materials engineers on surface material selection: soft-touch elastomers, impact-absorbing foams, rigid plastics, and fabric/textile outers
  • Support user research and human factors teams with physical mock-ups and rapid prototypes for ergonomic and safety validation

Minimum Qualifications:
  • BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant field
  • 8+ years of mechanical design experience with significant work in complex surface modeling
  • Strong CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, NX, or CREO, Rhino)
  • Working knowledge of CNC machining processes — understanding of fixturing, tool access, setup minimization, and achievable tolerances
  • Experience with rapid prototyping manufacturing processes and materials
  • Experience designing exterior enclosures or covers for electromechanical products with high aesthetic standards
  • Working knowledge of mechanical safety principles — contact force limits, entrapment hazards, edge/radius requirements, and energy-absorbing material systems
  • Familiarity with injection molding, thermoforming, or composite manufacturing as it relates to complex-geometry parts
  • Ability to interpret and apply GD&T for sculptural parts with compound curvature
  • Strong collaboration skills — comfortable working at the intersection of industrial design, mechanical engineering, and safety
  • Experience managing time-sensitive projects through to completion while balancing evolving priorities and a broad range of stakeholders
  • Experience in tolerance analysis, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T per ASME Y14.5)
  • Experience in Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence design decisions across multidisciplinary teams
  • Background in high-mix/low-volume transitioning to mid-volume production environments

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Direct experience with robotic systems — BLDC motors, actuators, gearboxes, linkage mechanisms
  • MS in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or related discipline
  • Background in impact biomechanics or human injury tolerance thresholds (e.g., pain onset, bruising limits per ISO/TS 15066 body model)
  • Experience with Autodesk Alias or ICEM Surf for Class-A surface development
  • Familiarity with soft robotics materials — silicone skins, TPU, EVA foams, viscoelastic padding
  • Experience with physical prototyping methods for form validation: CNC foam milling, 3D printing, vacuum forming
  • Background in consumer electronics, automotive interiors, medical devices, or wearables where safety and surface quality are co-equal requirements
  • Knowledge of FEA for non-linear contact and soft material deformation (Abaqus, LS-DYNA, or similar)
  • Experience in thermal management
  • Familiarity with statistical tolerance analysis and process capability (Cp/Cpk)
  • Experience with additional manufacturing processes: sheet metal, additive manufacturing, anodizing, and plating
  • Experience with PLM/PDM systems (Teamcenter, Solidworks PDM, Windchill, or similar)
  • Experience writing a clear failure report that a cross-functional team can act on

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$173,000/year to $245,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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