About the Role at RobCo
At RobCo, we develop AI-powered robotic systems that make industrial processes more autonomous, efficient, and scalable. Our Autonomous Manufacturing Platform combines modular industrial hardware with physical AI, enabling rapid deployment and continuous optimization in real production environments.
With locations in Munich, San Francisco, and Austin, and backed by leading investors such as Lightspeed, Lingotto Innovation, and Sequoia, we are working to redefine industrial automation.
We are now building the next generation of our robotic platform - including new actuator technologies, grippers, and human-to-robot teaching interfaces.
To drive this, we are looking for a Senior Robotics Hardware Engineer who will take end-to-end ownership of key subsystems and help translate high-level product concepts into robust, manufacturable hardware.
This role goes beyond prototyping: you will architect, build, and steer core hardware components of the next RobCo robot in close collaboration with software, autonomy, and external engineering partners.
Your Responsibilities
Own core robotic subsystems - Take full ownership of the design, development, and validation of critical hardware components of the next-generation robot platform - such as grippers, teaching devices, and actuator modules.
Design next-generation actuators - Design, prototype, and evaluate new actuator concepts (e.g., QDD-based systems) to replace existing solutions. Balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and robustness.
Drive product-level mechanical design - Lead the development of robot subsystems from concept to production-ready design, including detailed CAD, tolerancing, and material selection.
Interface with external engineering partners - Act as the technical liaison with design agencies and DFM partners (e.g., Busse Design), ensuring designs are manufacturable, robust, and aligned with product goals.
System architecture & integration - Define subsystem architecture and ensure seamless integration with control, perception, and autonomy systems.
Prototype and validate - Build and test prototypes to validate design assumptions, performance, and reliability - using hands-on lab work when needed.
Make and drive technical decisions - Own key hardware decisions and represent your subsystem in cross-functional discussions with robotics, controls, and product teams.
Bridge concept to production - Guide designs through the transition from prototype to manufacturable product, including supplier interaction and iteration based on real-world constraints.
We're looking for someone who has:
Strong robotics hardware background - Degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or similar, with substantial experience designing electromechanical systems.
Experience owning complex hardware systems - Proven track record of owning and delivering hardware subsystems or products - from concept through validation (and ideally into production).
Actuator design experience (strong plus) - Experience with robotic actuators (e.g., BLDC motors, gear systems, QDD, torque sensing, or backdrivable systems), including performance trade-offs and control implications.
Deep mechanical design expertise - Advanced CAD skills (e.g., SolidWorks), including designing for CNC, tolerancing, and structural/mechanical analysis.
DFM and supplier experience - Experience working with external partners and preparing designs for manufacturing (DFM, tolerancing, supplier discussions).
System-level thinking - Strong intuition for how mechanics, electronics, and control systems interact in real robotic systems.
Hands-on mindset - Comfortable building, testing, and debugging hardware directly when needed.
Cross-functional collaboration - Ability to work closely with software, autonomy, and product teams and translate requirements into robust hardware solutions.
Why join RobCo?
Develop modular, software-defined robotics solutions with us that set new standards in automation.
Help us build robots equipped with state-of-the-art AI that perceive their environment, analyze data, and make intelligent decisions in real time.
As part of a very dynamic and fast-growing scale-up, you will take on responsibility from day one, drive your own projects, and see the direct impact of your work.
Flat hierarchies, open communication, and regular 360° feedback enable fast decisions and support your professional and personal development.
Work out across Germany in over 7,200 studios with our subsidized Wellpass membership.
Flexible working hours, a modern office, and—depending on the role—the option to work from home.
Regular team events—from relaxed beer & pizza nights on the rooftop terrace to shared experiences on ski trips or at Oktoberfest.
About RobCo
RobCo was founded in late 2020 in Munich and develops AI-powered robotic systems that bring learning and autonomy to industrial processes. The Autonomous Manufacturing Platform combines modular industrial hardware with a software architecture for physical AI, enabling rapid implementation, continuous optimization, and application-specific performance.
Through a Robotics-as-a-Service model, RobCo helps industrial companies automate manual tasks while reducing operational complexity and risk. The company covers a wide range of industrial applications, including machine tending, palletizing, dispensing, and welding.
RobCo operates in Europe and the USA, with locations in Munich, San Francisco, and Austin. The company is backed by leading global investors, including Lightspeed, Lingotto Innovation, and Sequoia.
Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
At RobCo, applicants are selected regardless of ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. All decisions throughout the recruitment process are based solely on applicants’ qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as relevant business requirements.
Skills Required
- Degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or similar
- Substantial experience designing electromechanical systems
- Proven track record of owning hardware subsystems or products from concept through validation
- Experience with robotic actuators including performance trade-offs and control implications
- Advanced CAD skills including designing for CNC, tolerancing, and structural/mechanical analysis
- Experience working with external partners and preparing designs for manufacturing
- Comfortable building, testing, and debugging hardware directly
- Ability to work closely with software, autonomy, and product teams
What We Do
RobCo's mission is to automate the ordinary, so humans can do the extraodinary. Founded in 2020 out of the Technical University of Munich, RobCo is on a mission to make industrial automation more accessible, affordable, and adaptable. Its patented modular hardware kit, combined with the RobCo Studio no-code software platform, allows industrial companies of all sizes to automate repetitive and dangerous tasks quickly and with unmatched flexibility. Whether it’s machine tending, palletizing, dispensing, or welding, RobCo’s modular robot kits provide versatile end-to-end solutions that are simple to deploy and manage remotely — without heavy upfront investment or specialist expertise. With offices in Munich and San Francisco and robots already in operation worldwide, RobCo is supercharging a new generation of industrial companies to reduce costs, boost productivity, and compete on a global stage. RobCo’s modular robot kits provide versatile end-to-end solutions that are simple to deploy and manage remotely — without heavy upfront investment or specialist expertise. With offices in Munich and San Francisco and robots already in operation worldwide, RobCo is supercharging a new generation of industrial companies to reduce costs, boost productivity, and compete on a global stage.
