The Role
Design and prototype core mechanical systems and precision mechanisms for a consumer robotics platform. Create fabrication-ready drawings, iterate rapidly with hands-on testing, collaborate with robotics/software/product teams, analyze noisy data, and drive decisions on manufacturability, materials, and mechanical architecture.
Summary Generated by Built In
About Overlay
What You’ll Do
What We’re Looking For
Bonus Points
Benefits
The Team
Culture & Values
Overlay is building the world’s first intelligent makeup robot—reimagining beauty application through robotics, perception, and design. As a venture-backed, pre-launch startup, we’re defining a new category of personal robotics at the intersection of self-expression and engineering. Our system operates directly on the human face, requiring an unprecedented level of precision, safety, and real-world robustness.
We’re a small, highly technical team working in person in Oakland—building something that does not yet exist, and making it real.
- Design and prototype core mechanical systems for our novel robotic platform
- Develop custom mechanisms for motion, positioning, and precision actuation
- Collaborate with robotics, software, and product teams to ensure seamless integration across disciplines
- Create assembly and fabrication-ready part drawings
- Rapidly iterate concepts using hands-on testing, user feedback, and research data
- Noisy data analysis / reduction
- Contribute to decisions around manufacturability, materials, and mechanical architecture
- Form and justify opinions based on limited data in a congenial manner
- Juggle several projects, knowing dynamic prioritization is critical at this stage
- Embody our company values of ownership, velocity and craft
At least 5 of the following things:
- 3+ years of experience in machine design, robotics, or consumer hardware
- Strong hands-on experience
- Proficiency in Solidworks; other CAD experience is acceptable
- CFD, bonus for mixed fluid analysis
- Microfluidics
- High precision mechanism design, preferably polymer based
- Test fixture design
- Working knowledge of ASME 14.5
- Mechatronics experience
- An optimized blend of speed and quality.
- You are energized by collaborating in-office with your peers.
- 3D printing, machining, rapid prototyping
- Passion for human-centered hardware and creative applications of engineering
- Experience working with contract manufacturers
- Injection molding
- Process experience
- Design of Experiments
- Interesting side projects
- Highly competitive salary & generous early-stage equity
- Best-in-class medical, dental & vision insurance
- 401(k) matching program
- Flexible Time Off with 10 paid holidays
- Commuter benefits
- Office in downtown Oakland near 19th Street BART station
- Small, fast-moving team with high ownership and low process
- Strong bias toward shipping, learning, and iterating quickly
- In-person collaboration in our Oakland office
- Move Fast, Move Smart: Act quickly, but with clear thinking and good judgment.
- Extreme Ownership: Own outcomes fully from idea to execution to results.
- Disagree Boldly, Then Commit Fully: Challenge ideas openly, then align and execute without hesitation.
- Intellectual Honesty Above All: Prioritize truth over ego. Be candid, admit mistakes, and follow the evidence.
- Live Demos: Show real, working results instead of talking about ideas.
Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is $150,000–$250,000 annually based on level in addition to equity & benefits.
Skills Required
- 3+ years of experience in machine design, robotics, or consumer hardware
- Strong hands-on experience
- Proficiency in Solidworks
- Other CAD experience acceptable
- CFD (computational fluid dynamics)
- Microfluidics
- High precision mechanism design, preferably polymer based
- Test fixture design
- Working knowledge of ASME 14.5
- Mechatronics experience
- An optimized blend of speed and quality
- In-office collaboration (willingness to work in-office in Oakland)
- 3D printing, machining, rapid prototyping
- Passion for human-centered hardware and creative engineering
- Experience working with contract manufacturers
- Injection molding
- Process experience
- Design of Experiments
- Interesting side projects
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The Company
What We Do
Overlay is building the world’s first intelligent makeup robot—reimagining beauty application through robotics, perception, and design.
