senior mechanical design engineer (robotics DfX)

Start Date: ASAP

About Us

Mundane is a seed-stage robot learning startup founded by Stanford roboticists and builders. We’re deploying a fleet of humanoid robots to perform real-world tasks in commercial environments, collecting the data required to train the next generation of embodied intelligence.

We move fast, prototype aggressively, test in the real world, and iterate based on reality—not simulations. You can read more at https://mundane.bot.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to own the design and execution of complex robotic systems, with a strong emphasis on design for excellence (DfX), manufacturability, reliability, and performance.

This is a highly hands-on, execution-focused role. You’ll take concepts from early architecture through detailed design, analysis, and production-ready hardware. You’ll work on high-performance moving systems—actuated joints, transmissions, structures—and ensure they meet real-world demands through rigorous engineering and iteration.

You should be equally comfortable doing topology optimization in ANSYS, refining assemblies in SolidWorks, and standing on the shop floor debugging hardware.

What You’ll Do

• Own mechanical design of robotic subsystems: actuators, linkages, structures, enclosures, and motion systems
• Drive DfX (Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, Reliability, Cost, Serviceability) across all designs
• Perform topology optimization and FEA (ANSYS) to reduce weight, improve stiffness, and optimize performance
• Develop and maintain production-quality CAD (SolidWorks) for complex assemblies and mechanisms
• Design for high-cycle, high-load dynamic systems with tight tolerances and reliability requirements
• Lead design reviews, tolerance stack-ups, and failure mode analysis (FMEA)
• Work with vendors and internal teams to transition designs from prototype to scalable production
• Debug and iterate on hardware through hands-on testing, root cause analysis, and redesign
• Collaborate cross-functionally with controls, electronics, and robotics teams to integrate full systems
• Define and build test rigs and validation plans for moving mechanical systems

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in mechanical design of complex systems, preferably robotics or electromechanical products
• Expert proficiency in SolidWorks (or equivalent parametric CAD)
• Strong experience with ANSYS (or similar) for FEA and topology optimization
• Deep understanding of DfX principles (DFM, DFA, DFR, etc.)
• Proven track record designing moving mechanical systems (linkages, gear trains, actuators, transmissions)
• Experience taking designs from concept → prototype → production
• Strong fundamentals in materials, tolerancing (GD&T), and manufacturing processes
• Hands-on builder mindset: comfortable assembling, testing, and debugging hardware

Bonus Experience

• Experience designing robotic arms, humanoids, or dynamic motion systems
• Knowledge of actuator design (motors, gearboxes, harmonic drives, belt systems)
• Experience with fatigue analysis, vibration, and dynamic loading
• Familiarity with robotics systems integration (sensors, embedded systems, controls)
• Background in high-performance or lightweight structures (topology-optimized parts, composites, etc.)

What You’ll Get

• Ownership over critical mechanical systems deployed in real-world robotic fleets
• Direct impact on the performance, reliability, and scalability of humanoid robots
• Tight collaboration with a small, high-caliber, multidisciplinary team
• Fast iteration cycles with real hardware feedback loops
• Competitive compensation, equity, and leadership growth opportunities

Perks

Competitive salary equity, flexible PTO, coffee, robots, sauna & cold plunge (pending)