The Role
Lead mechanical design and industrialization of high-performance electromechanical actuators from architecture to mass production. Provide technical leadership, CAD and drawing completion, GD&T and tolerance analysis, supplier/manufacturing collaboration, FMEAs and validation planning, and mentor design engineers to meet performance and reliability targets.
Summary Generated by Built In
Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer - Atlas Actuation Technology
We are looking for a Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the transition of high-performance Actuator Products from architecture to robust, mass-production hardware on next-generation humanoid robotic platforms. This role sits at the intersection of complex mechanical design and industrialization, shaping how high-torque-density electromechanical systems are matured, integrated, and brought to life at scale. The actuators enable our robots to move and accomplish their complex work - this is a critical role on the Atlas team.You will be responsible for the technical leadership of specific actuator product lines, ensuring designs meet all performance and reliability targets while fostering the professional growth of a team of design engineers through the rigor of production release.
What You’ll Do:
The pay range for this position is between $135,000 - $180,000 annually. Base pay will depend on multiple individualized factors including, but not limited to internal equity, job related knowledge, skills and experience. This range represents a good faith estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Boston Dynamics offers a generous Benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401(k), paid time off and a annual bonus structure. Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer for employment.
We are looking for a Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the transition of high-performance Actuator Products from architecture to robust, mass-production hardware on next-generation humanoid robotic platforms. This role sits at the intersection of complex mechanical design and industrialization, shaping how high-torque-density electromechanical systems are matured, integrated, and brought to life at scale. The actuators enable our robots to move and accomplish their complex work - this is a critical role on the Atlas team.You will be responsible for the technical leadership of specific actuator product lines, ensuring designs meet all performance and reliability targets while fostering the professional growth of a team of design engineers through the rigor of production release.
What You’ll Do:
- Technical Leadership: Guide the mechanical design and release for actuator products, overseeing technical execution from initial architecture through to manufacturing.
- Production Excellence: Facilitate CAD completion and lead the generation of comprehensive drawing packages, utilizing advanced GD&T and 1D/3D tolerance analysis to ensure high-quality builds.
- Collaborative Design (DFx): Partner with suppliers and manufacturing teams to optimize designs for assembly, cost, and long-term reliability.
- Mentorship & Development: Support and mentor early-career and mid-level engineers, providing technical guidance, conducting thoughtful design reviews, and fostering an inclusive team environment.
- Risk Stewardship: Manage technical risk through FMEAs, validation planning, and detailed due diligence on moving assemblies (gears, bearings, seals, and shafts).
- Production Rigor: A track record of bringing complex electromechanical assemblies from architecture through production release in high-rigor environments (e.g., automotive, aerospace, or medical devices).
- Technical Stewardship: High proficiency in 3D CAD (CATIA preferred) and PLM, with a commitment to detailed documentation, GD&T, and tolerance stack analysis.
- Thoughtful Judgment: Ability to resolve ambiguous design challenges and balance innovation with practical manufacturing constraints.
- Interpersonal Influence: Experience leading cross-functional efforts and building alignment across technical teams through collaboration and clear communication.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- Professional experience in electromechanical product design and launch (typically 7+ years).
The pay range for this position is between $135,000 - $180,000 annually. Base pay will depend on multiple individualized factors including, but not limited to internal equity, job related knowledge, skills and experience. This range represents a good faith estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Boston Dynamics offers a generous Benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401(k), paid time off and a annual bonus structure. Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer for employment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Typically 7+ years professional experience in electromechanical product design and launch
- Proven track record bringing complex electromechanical assemblies from architecture through production release in high-rigor environments (automotive, aerospace, medical)
- High proficiency in 3D CAD
- Experience with CATIA
- Experience with PLM systems
- Strong knowledge and application of GD&T and tolerance stack analysis (1D/3D)
- Experience performing FMEAs, validation planning, and risk management for moving assemblies (gears, bearings, seals, shafts)
- Experience leading cross-functional technical efforts and mentoring early-career and mid-level engineers
- Ability to travel internationally ~10%-20% to support suppliers and partners
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The Company
What We Do
Boston Dynamics builds advanced mobile manipulation robots with remarkable mobility, dexterity perception and agility. We use sensor-based controls and computation to unlock the potential of complex mechanisms. Our world-class development teams develop prototypes for wild new concepts, do build-test-build engineering and field testing and transform successful designs into robot products. Our goal is to change your idea of what robots can do.
