Boston Dynamics is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Atlas team.
We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to set the architectural vision for high-performance Actuator Products on next-generation humanoid robotic platforms. This role sits at the intersection of complex mechanical design, technology strategy, and New Product Introduction (NPI). You will lead the development of high-torque-density electromechanical systems, including custom motors, precision gear trains, and tightly integrated sensors. Your work will ensure these complex assemblies transition smoothly into robust, mass-production hardware. The actuators enable our robots to move and accomplish their complex work—this is a critical, strategic role on the Atlas team.
You will be responsible for the technical strategy of actuator product lines, ensuring designs meet all performance, thermal, and reliability targets while establishing engineering standards and fostering the professional growth of a team of senior design engineers through the rigor of production release.
Boston Dynamics is a world leader in mobile robots, tackling some of the toughest robotics challenges. For years, our awe-inspiring viral videos on YouTube have shown the world what remarkably capable robots can do. Now we are quickly becoming a recognized leader in automation solutions for industrial applications and warehouse logistics.
What You’ll Do:
Technical Strategy & Leadership: Drive the mechanical architecture and technology roadmap for actuator products, overseeing technical execution from initial concept through to high-volume manufacturing.
Production Excellence: Establish organizational best practices for CAD completion and the generation of comprehensive drawing packages, setting the standard for advanced GD&T and 1D/3D tolerance analysis to ensure high-quality builds across teams.
Collaborative Design (DFx): Forge strategic partnerships with suppliers and manufacturing teams to optimize designs for assembly, cost, and long-term reliability on a global scale.
Mentorship & Development: Support and mentor staff and senior-level engineers, providing technical guidance, leading critical design reviews, and fostering an inclusive, collaborative team environment.
Risk Stewardship: Own and manage complex technical risk through advanced FMEAs, comprehensive validation planning, and detailed due diligence on critical moving assemblies (gears, bearings, seals, and shafts).
What You Bring:
Educational Background: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Extensive Experience: Demonstrated professional experience in electromechanical product design, architecture, and launch (typically 12+ years).
Actuation & Powertrain Expertise: Deep domain knowledge in the design of high-performance rotating machinery, including precision gear systems (e.g., planetary, harmonic, or cycloidal), bearing selection, sealing technologies, thermal management, and sensor packaging (e.g., encoders, torque sensors).
Production Rigor: A proven track record of architecting and bringing tightly packaged electromechanical assemblies through production release in high-rigor environments (e.g., automotive, aerospace, or medical devices).
Technical Stewardship: Advanced proficiency in 3D CAD (CATIA preferred) and PLM, with a commitment to setting department-wide standards for detailed documentation, GD&T, and tolerance stack analysis.
Strategic Judgment: Exceptional ability to resolve organization-level design challenges and balance innovation with practical manufacturing constraints.
Interpersonal Influence: Extensive experience leading cross-functional efforts, building alignment across multiple technical teams, and communicating effectively with both engineers and leadership.
5%-10% international travel required to support the global supplier and partner network for actuator products.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas for this position.
The salary range for this position will be clearly stated in the job posting as required by Massachusetts law. The base pay range for this position is between $155,000 - $193,000. 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 will never ask you to divulge your personal financial or account information as part of its recruiting process.
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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
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.
