Build AI is the data hyperscaler for Physical AI. We're vertically integrated across hardware, manufacturing, logistics, collection, and model training to scale the physical labor dataset orders of magnitude faster than anyone in the world.
Job SummaryWe're hiring mechanical design in Shenzhen for the structures that make collection hardware real: enclosures, mounts, wearability, thermal, drop, and the parts a factory can tool. A generalist who can also do industrial design is strongly preferred.
Key ResponsibilitiesOwn mechanical design of collection devices: enclosure, mount, stackup, fasteners, gaskets, how it survives a job site
CAD through DFM/DFA, drawings, tooling, and incoming quality with Shenzhen vendors
Apply DFM so designs scale from prototype to volume; own soft and hard tooling conversations with vendors
Work with PCB on keepouts, connectors, and how the board lives in the object; work with ID on form
Design for wear: a device that is uncomfortable does not get hours of data. Validate with drop, shock, and field failures
Iterate in the factory. Close loops on yield, rework, and field returns
Translate industrial design into manufacturable parts (plastics, sheet metal, as needed)
You've shipped mechanical parts into manufacturing: CAD (SolidWorks, Onshape, or equivalent), drawings, vendors, revisions
Understanding of DFM/DFA and of plastics and/or sheet metal at cheap, high-volume hardware
Fine in Shenzhen and in factories. You measure success in devices that stay on people and keep recording
You resist overbuilt mechanisms that cut how many units we can field
Industrial design skill (form, CMF, wearability). We would rather hire a generalist than a CAD-only specialist
GD&T, injection molding, or experience with wearables / compact consumer hardware
Tolerance, structural, or thermal analysis when it actually changes the design
Experience working with ID on appearance surfaces
Competitive pay
Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage
$500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits
Housing subsidy of $2k per month for those living within walking distance of the office
Relocation support for those moving to San Francisco (Financial District) or Shenzhen (Nanshan)
Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more
Daily lunch and dinner in our office
Unlimited compute budget subject to ROI justification
Unlimited Codex and Claude credits
Travel
Build believes in the Bitter Lesson. By taking a general approach of learning from humans, our addressable market is all physical labor.
We are a fully in-person team in San Francisco (Financial District) and Shenzhen (Nanshan), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both and work across disciplines as needed.
Build AI is an equal opportunity employer. We review every application. If you do not meet every bullet, still apply. Questions: [email protected]
Skills Required
- Experience shipping mechanical parts into manufacturing
- Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Onshape, or equivalent
- Ability to create mechanical drawings and manage vendor revisions
- Understanding of design for manufacturing and assembly (DFM/DFA)
- Understanding of plastics and/or sheet metal for low-cost, high-volume hardware
- Comfort working in Shenzhen factories and manufacturing environments
- Industrial design skill, including form, CMF, or wearability
- Experience with GD&T, injection molding, wearables, or compact consumer hardware
- Tolerance, structural, or thermal analysis experience
- Experience collaborating with industrial design on appearance surfaces
What We Do
Build AI is a public benefit corporation and data hyperscaler for Physical AI. It integrates hardware manufacturing, logistics, data collection, and model training to scale egocentric physical-labor datasets for researchers and labs. Its mission is to solve physical labor and unlock human potential, advancing robotics and physical superintelligence. The company operates in San Francisco and Shenzhen and develops economically useful human-data infrastructure.









