Robotics Mechanical Engineer

SRI International's Robotics Laboratory develops first-of-a-kind robotic systems for government and commercial customers. Our work spans robotic surgery and teleoperation, humanoid and wearable robotics, underwater and field systems, autonomous platforms, novel mechanisms and actuators, advanced sensing, and laboratory automation.

The lab has contributed to systems and technologies including early robotic surgery platforms, Taurus telemanipulation systems, wearable robotics, novel transmissions and actuators, and automated scientific systems. We work across a broad range of applications, but the common thread is turning difficult ideas into working hardware.

We are looking for a Robotics Mechanical Engineer who likes to design, build, test, and iterate. 

You will work at our office in Menlo Park, CA, with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and research engineers to develop robotic systems from early concepts through fabrication, integration, and test. Projects vary widely, so we value strong engineering fundamentals, hands-on ability, curiosity, and comfort working on problems where the requirements are still evolving.

What You'll Do

• Design mechanisms, structures, fixtures, and robotic assemblies in SolidWorks.
• Take concepts from sketches through CAD, drawings, fabrication, assembly, and test.
• Build and debug electromechanical systems in the lab.
• Use rapid prototyping and fabrication methods including 3D printing, machining, laser cutting, and related processes.
• Develop drawings, tolerances, and basic GD&T.
• Select and integrate motors, actuators, transmissions, bearings, sensors, and other robotic hardware.
• Develop test fixtures, make measurements, diagnose failures, and improve designs based on what you learn.
• Work closely with software, controls, electrical, and systems engineers during integration.
• Maintain CAD, drawings, revisions, and engineering data using SolidWorks PDM.

What We're Looking For

• BS or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and machine-design intuition.
• Experience with 3D CAD; SolidWorks strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience building and testing physical hardware.
• Must understand engineering drawings, tolerances, fits, and basic GD&T.
• Ability to take an open-ended problem, develop practical concepts, and iterate quickly.
• Comfortable troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, sensing, and software boundaries.
• Clear communication and the ability to work on multidisciplinary teams.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Helpful Experience – some, not all

• Robotics or electromechanical systems
• Mechanisms, actuators, transmissions, or end effectors
• Rapid prototyping and machine-shop experience
• DFM/DFA and working with fabrication vendors
• Mechanical testing, instrumentation, metrology, or calibration
• FEA or other engineering analysis tools
• Python, MATLAB, ROS/ROS 2
• Medical, wearable, underwater, field, or autonomous robotic systems
• Hands-on engineering projects through internships, research labs, student teams, competitions, or personal builds

The best aligned candidates will be mechanically grounded, curious, and comfortable learning new things. This is a hands-on engineering role: we expect you to make good engineering decisions, build things, test them, learn from failures, and improve the design.

The salary range is: $90,580-$134,740. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.