Senior Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

Responsible for leading the design, development, and validation of payloads and enhancements for the Spot robotic platform. This role independently owns substantial portions of robotic subsystem design, driving technical decisions, cross-functional integration, and continuous improvement. The engineer applies deep technical expertise to resolve challenging design problems, ensures the reliability and manufacturability of mechanical solutions, and mentors junior engineers. This role demands strong technical leadership, deep domain expertise and a focus on quality, scalability, and innovation in robotics hardware design.

Boston Dynamics is a world leader in mobile robots, tackling some of the toughest robotics challenges. For years, our awe-inspiring viral videos on YouTube have shown the world what remarkably capable robots can do. Now we are quickly becoming a recognized leader in automation solutions for industrial applications and warehouse logistics.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and analysis of complex mechanical assemblies for the Spot robotic platform. These assemblies can include payloads and robotic subsystems to enhance the platform’s functional capabilities.
• Author and release production and support documentation including bills of material (BOMs), part / assembly drawings, and maintenance instructions.
• Troubleshoot issues, root cause failure analysis, design and implement corrective and preventative solutions
• Collaborate with suppliers, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure designs meet cost, performance, and producibility goals.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to early-career engineers, fostering engineering best practices and design excellence.
• Participate in and often lead design reviews and risk assessments.
• Perform system design analyses, including reliability, design-for-manufacture, design-for-assembly, cost-takeout, etc.
  
  

Core Competencies

• Execution:
• Analyzes and prioritizes the varying aspects of the role, knows and/or follows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, and consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.
• Collaboration:
• Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives through effective communication that understands the unique needs of different audiences.
• Innovation:
• Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful, anticipates and adopts innovations in business, operations, and technology applications.
• Adaptability:
• Adapts and pivots in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations, and moves forward productively and optimistically under conditions of change and ambiguity.
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep expertise in mechanical design for robotic applications, including mechanisms, actuation systems, and high-performance structures.
• Advanced CATIA user or equivalent (NX, Solidworks, etc.), including finite element analysis, 2D drawings, simulations
• Familiarity with PLM systems, (Arena preferred), and engineering change processes
• Demonstrated experience in taking designs from concept through production, including test planning, validation, and NPI.
• Extensive experience with low- to high-volume manufacturing processes suitable for robotics, including but not limited to CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, die casting, and other precision fabrication methods.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and troubleshooting skills, especially under ambiguous or fast-changing conditions.
• Effective communicator in both technical and cross-functional contexts, with strong presentation and technical writing skills.
• Proven ability to mentor others and provide technical direction on large-scale projects.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field required
• 7 years of experience in mechanical design, including significant work in robotics, automation, or complex electromechanical systems.
• Demonstrated leadership of major subsystem or full mechanical product designs
  
  

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas for this position.

The base pay range for this position is between $131,763 to $182,492 annually. Base pay will depend on multiple individualized factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This range represents a good-faith estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Boston Dynamics offers a generous Benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401(k), paid time off and a annual bonus structure. Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer for employment.