Engineering Manager, Hardware Design (Robotics)

Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States. The role may involve U.S. Government contract work, export-controlled information, ITAR/EAR, and Controlled Unclassified Information; candidates must be able to comply with applicable U.S. export-control regulations, which may include meeting the definition of a U.S. Person where required.

Company

hirify.global develops AI-driven robotic systems for embodied intelligence, factory automation, and real-world skilled-labor applications.

What you will do

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical engineers while providing technical guidance, feedback, and career development.
• Own engineering priorities, resource planning, and execution for mechanical hardware development initiatives.
• Oversee sensing end-of-arm tooling, robotic components, fixtures, electromechanical systems, and physical interfaces between robots, sensors, tools, and workpieces.
• Drive integration of cameras, 3D, force/torque, and tactile sensors into robotic hardware and support fixtures and environments for robotic manipulation training data.
• Lead design reviews and establish standards for reliability, manufacturability, serviceability, and performance.
• Manage the hardware lifecycle from requirements and prototyping through testing, validation, production release, deployment, vendor coordination, and field issue resolution.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, robotics, automation, or industrial hardware development, including 2+ years leading or managing engineering teams.
• Strong background in mechanical design, electromechanical systems, robotic hardware, end-of-arm tooling, grippers, fixtures, or sensor-integrated robotic systems.
• Understanding of sensor integration, calibration, mechanical tolerances, hardware reliability, and mechanical and electrical interfaces for complex robotic systems.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software and PDM-based design workflows.
• Demonstrated success bringing complex hardware products from concept through production and deployment.
• Strong technical judgment, project management skills, and ability to balance competing engineering priorities.
• Ability to collaborate across Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Software, and ML Engineering teams and develop high-performing teams.
• Ability to comply with applicable U.S. export-control regulations and related confidentiality and data-protection requirements; a background check may be required.

Nice to have

• Experience with robotic manipulation, industrial automation, advanced manufacturing, or scaling hardware products in a high-growth robotics or technology environment.
• Familiarity with imitation learning, demonstration-based learning, or robotic data-collection systems.
• Experience integrating force/torque, tactile, vision, or 3D sensing technologies.
• Knowledge of design for manufacturing and assembly, GD&T, and mechanical reliability testing.

Culture & Benefits

• Hands-on, execution-focused engineering environment balancing innovation with reliable, production-ready hardware.
• Collaborative and adaptable culture with cross-functional work across Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Software, and ML teams.
• Daily free lunch and flexible PTO.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave, plus an additional 6–8 weeks for birthing parents.
• 401(k) retirement plan through Empower and employee referral bonuses.