Actuator Design Engineer (Robotics)

TL;DR

Actuator Design Engineer (Robotics): Leading the development of custom electromechanical actuators for advanced robotic systems with an accent on precision mechatronics and system integration. Focus on designing high-performance motors and transmissions, validating prototypes, and scaling hardware from concept to production.

Location: San Francisco, CA (In-person presence required 4 days a week)

Salary: $342,000 – $445,000 + Equity

Company

hirify.global is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity.

What you will do

• Lead the architecture and design of custom robotic actuators, including motors, transmissions, sensing, and thermal systems.
• Define system-level requirements for torque density, bandwidth, efficiency, and reliability.
• Design precision electromechanical assemblies with strict attention to tolerances, load paths, and serviceability.
• Integrate actuators into robotic systems, partnering with controls, firmware, and software teams to optimize performance.
• Build and validate prototypes through hands-on debugging, characterization, and iterative refinement.
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners to transition designs from prototypes to scalable production (DFM, DFA).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience designing electromechanical systems or robotic actuators.
• Strong understanding of motors, transmissions, bearings, encoders, and thermal management.
• Proficiency with CAD and PLM tools such as NX and Teamcenter.
• Experience scaling hardware systems through EVT/DVT/PVT and into production.
• Must be based in San Francisco, CA, and available for in-person work 4 days a week.

Culture & Benefits

• Focus on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence.
• Work across the entire model stack, blending high-level AI capabilities with physical system constraints.
• Collaborative environment working alongside research, controls, and operations teams.
• Opportunity to shape the next generation of intelligent robotic systems.