Senior to Staff Mechanical Engnieer

1X·Ashby
San Carlos, CAFullTimeUSD 175950-253000 per yearPosted Jun 30, 2026
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About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.

About the Team

The Hardware Engineering team designs and delivers the electromechanical systems that allow NEO to move, manipulate, and interact safely with the world. From structural components and precision mechanisms to complete robotic subsystems, the team owns hardware development from concept through production.

Working closely with electrical, controls, firmware, manufacturing, and robotics engineers, you'll help transform ambitious ideas into robust, manufacturable products that operate reliably in real-world environments.

Your Charter

Design and deliver the mechanical systems that power humanoid motion.

You will own mechanical subsystems from concept through production, developing high-performance electromechanical hardware that balances strength, weight, durability, manufacturability, and cost. Through rapid prototyping, rigorous testing, and close cross-functional collaboration, you'll help build robots capable of operating reliably in homes around the world.

Key Outcomes

  • Design and release mechanical components and electromechanical subsystems that meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements

  • Deliver lightweight, high-strength designs through structural analysis, FEA, and rapid design iteration

  • Integrate motors, sensors, PCBAs, cabling, bearings, and power transmission systems into robust robotic assemblies

  • Improve product quality through Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), serviceability, and cost optimization

  • Drive hardware from concept through prototype validation, design refinement, and successful production release

Key Competencies

  • Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with exceptional structural and mechanism design capability

  • Hands-on builder who enjoys designing, prototyping, testing, and refining hardware

  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to balance engineering trade-offs across performance, reliability, weight, and manufacturability

  • Excellent collaboration across electrical, firmware, controls, manufacturing, and robotics disciplines

  • Ownership mindset with the ability to independently drive complex hardware development efforts

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline

  • 5+ years of experience designing mechanical systems or electromechanical products

  • Strong proficiency with professional 3D CAD software

  • Excellent understanding of structural mechanics, machine design, and mechanical engineering fundamentals

  • Experience performing structural FEA and engineering validation to support design decisions

  • Hands-on prototyping and laboratory experience

  • Experience with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and production-ready engineering documentation

  • Successfully shipped at least one production hardware product

  • Extensive experience selecting and integrating bearings into precision mechanical systems

Preferred Skills

  • Experience developing robotic or consumer electronics hardware at production scale

  • Experience with ANSYS or equivalent structural simulation tools

  • Knowledge of injection molding, die casting, machining, and other high-volume manufacturing processes

  • Experience designing power transmission systems, robotic joints, or actuator assemblies

  • Familiarity with reliability testing, failure analysis, and design optimization for production hardware

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like?

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

Successful Mechanical Engineers at 1X combine deep technical expertise with a bias toward execution. They enjoy solving difficult multidisciplinary problems, rapidly iterating on hardware, and taking full ownership from initial concepts through production. They understand that exceptional robots are built through rigorous engineering, constant experimentation, and relentless attention to detail.

Compensation Range

$175,950 - $253,000 + Equity

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave

  • 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options

  • Commuter benefits (transit and parking)

  • Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support

  • Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

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