Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer I / II

Robotics R&D and Product Design

Trossen Robotics

Location: Downers Grove, IL — On-site

Employment Type: Full-time

Website: www.trossenrobotics.com

About the Opportunity

Help build the next generation of robotics for Physical AI.

Trossen Robotics develops robotic manipulators, mobile platforms, and teleoperation systems used by leading research institutions and technology companies. As we expand our product lineup, we’re looking for mechanical design engineers who enjoy building hardware, solving practical problems, and seeing their designs become real products.

This position is suited to early-career engineers with strong design fundamentals and hands-on experience. You’ll work alongside experienced engineers while taking ownership of parts, assemblies, and progressively larger portions of our robotic systems.

We are hiring at both Engineer I and Engineer II levels. Placement will reflect your demonstrated design ability, practical experience, and readiness to work independently.

What You’ll Do

• Design mechanical parts and assemblies for robotic manipulators, mobile platforms, and related products.
• Integrate motors, actuators, bearings, cameras, sensors, electronics, and other electromechanical components.
• Develop brackets, enclosures, mounting systems, structural components, and access panels.
• Design for manufacturability, assembly, serviceability, reliability, and cost.
• Plan cable routing, connector access, strain relief, and protection around moving mechanisms.
• Build, assemble, and test prototypes; identify problems and improve designs through hands-on iteration.
• Create production drawings, bills of materials, and supporting engineering documentation.
• Select materials, hardware, and manufacturing processes appropriate to each application.
• Work with suppliers to evaluate components, obtain quotes, and resolve manufacturing questions.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, production, and procurement teams to move designs from concept into production.

What We’re Looking For

• A degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficiency in parametric 3D CAD, including well-structured parts, assemblies, and drawings. We use Autodesk Fusion and SolidWorks.
• Strong mechanical fundamentals and the ability to explain your design decisions.
• Hands-on experience building and troubleshooting physical hardware through employment, internships, engineering teams, or substantial personal projects.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, and 3D printing.
• Understanding of tolerances, fits, fasteners, material selection, and basic mechanical calculations.
• Ability to turn a defined task into a practical design, recognize missing requirements, and ask useful questions.
• Attention to detail, clear communication, and a strong desire to improve your engineering skills.

Position Levels

Mechanical Design Engineer I

Typically suited to candidates with approximately 0–2 years of relevant professional experience and a strong portfolio. You’ll own defined parts and assemblies with guidance from senior engineers, participate in design reviews, and build your skills in prototyping, drawings, manufacturing, and product development.

Mechanical Design Engineer II

Typically suited to candidates with approximately 2–4 years of relevant professional experience. You should be comfortable taking a component or smaller subsystem from requirements through design, prototyping, testing, and production documentation, with periodic design reviews and support on more complex engineering decisions.

Relevant experience and demonstrated ability matter more than a specific number of years.

Helpful Experience

• Robotics, automation, manipulators, or mobile robotic systems.
• Motion systems involving motors, gearboxes, bearings, belts, or other power transmission components.
• Designing parts that have been manufactured and assembled.
• Tolerance analysis, GD&T, and basic structural analysis.
• Cable management in moving assemblies.
• Working directly with machine shops or other manufacturing suppliers.
• Supporting assembly teams and resolving issues during production.

Portfolio Strongly Helpful

Please include a link to your engineering portfolio on your resume. We want to see how you approach design problems, develop solutions, and turn ideas into working hardware. Professional, academic, and personal projects are welcome.

Tips for building a strong portfolio:

https://www.trossenrobotics.com/careers/junior-mechanical-engineer

Why Trossen Robotics?

You’ll work on real robotic products in a hands-on engineering environment where your contributions are visible. You’ll have opportunities to build prototypes, learn from experienced engineers, work directly with manufacturing, and take on greater responsibility as your skills develop.

Our platforms support research and development at universities, startups, and major technology companies advancing Physical AI. This is an opportunity to help build the hardware that makes that work possible.

This is a full-time, on-site position in Downers Grove, Illinois.