Tactile Sensing Researcher / Engineer (Robotics)

Location: San Carlos, California, United States; on-site

Salary: $200,000–$250,000 per year plus equity

Company

hirify.global develops general-purpose humanoid robots and the sensing, actuation, control, and integration technologies required for real-world human-robot interaction.

What you will do

• Develop successive generations of tactile sensing systems for humanoid robots.
• Design, fabricate, test, and refine sensing technologies across spatial resolution, temporal response, dynamic range, robustness, and durability.
• Establish benchmarking methodologies against human tactile capabilities and state-of-the-art sensing technologies.
• Identify and overcome fundamental limitations in sensing architectures, materials, and transduction approaches.
• Generate experimental evidence for research decisions and technology down-selection.
• Transition promising tactile sensing concepts into robotic manipulation systems.

Requirements

• Deep expertise in tactile sensing, sensing systems, or a closely related research domain.
• PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated high-impact contributions through publications, patents, deployed systems, or equivalent technical achievements.
• Experience developing sensing technologies through multiple generations of design, fabrication, and validation.
• Strong hands-on skills in prototyping, fabrication, testing, and physical sensor system development.
• Ability to work across materials, mechanics, electronics, and system integration.

Nice to have

• Experience with soft, compliant, or bio-inspired materials for sensing.
• Experience designing experimental setups for sensor characterization and benchmarking.
• Familiarity with robotic manipulation, dexterous hands, or human-machine interaction systems.
• Experience with custom electronics, transduction systems, or signal-processing pipelines.
• Background in biomechanics, neuroscience, haptics, or biologically inspired sensing.

Culture & Benefits

• Research-driven environment focused on rigorous experimentation, rapid iteration, and measurable improvements.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave.
• 401(k) plan with company match, plus FSA and HSA options.
• Disability, life insurance, commuter benefits, and employee assistance programs.
• On-site snacks and catered lunches.