Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
The Role
Apptronik is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer – Thermal Simulation & Analysis to lead the thermal architecture of our humanoid robot, Apollo. In a humanoid system, high-power
actuators, high-performance compute clusters, and dense battery packs are packed into tight, mobile volumes—creating one of the most challenging thermal environments in robotics.
As a Staff Engineer, you are the technical authority for the entire "thermal stack". You will move beyond simple steady-state analysis to model complex, transient thermal events during high-intensity robot maneuvers. You will influence the robot's physical architecture from the concept phase, ensuring that we maximize performance and duty cycle without compromising safety or hardware longevity.
Key Responsibilities
● Thermal Architecture Leadership: Own the thermal roadmap for the humanoid platform. Define the cooling strategies (passive, active, or phase-change) for high-torque actuators and high-density compute enclosures.
● High-Fidelity Simulation: Develop complex CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and heat transfer models using industry-standard tools (e.g., Ansys Icepak/Fluent, Simscale, or).
● Transient Duty Cycle Modeling: Predict thermal behavior during dynamic robot activities (walking, lifting..) where power consumption varies rapidly, necessitating complex transient thermal-fluid analysis.
● Multi-Physics Integration: Work closely with Structural Simulation engineers to perform Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) and thermal-stress analysis on critical components like motor housings and battery frames.
● Test & Correlation: Design and lead physical thermal validation experiments. Utilize IR thermography, thermocouples, and flow sensors to correlate real-world data with your simulation models.
● DfX & Manufacturing Support: Collaborate with the DfX team to select specialized materials (TIMs, heat spreaders, high-conductivity alloys) that balance thermal performance with weight and cost.
● Mentorship: Act as the subject matter expert (SME) for thermal issues company-wide, mentoring junior engineers and establishing standardized thermal design rules.
Qualifications
● Experience: 8+ years of experience in thermal design and simulation for high-performance electromechanical systems (Robotics, EV, Aerospace, or High-End Computing).
● Simulation Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in CFD software and a deep understanding of conduction, convection (natural and forced), and radiation in complex assemblies.
● Hardware Depth: Proven track record of designing and shipping hardware with challenging thermal constraints; experience with embedded compute thermal management or high-flux motor cooling is a significant plus.
● Analytical Skills: Ability to perform "back-of-the-envelope" thermal calculations to guide design decisions before full CFD results are available.
● Education: BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering (PhD preferred) with a focus on Heat Transfer or Fluid Dynamics.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
● Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
● Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
● Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
● Hearing and speech to communicate
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Skills Required
- 8+ years of experience in thermal design and simulation
- Expert-level proficiency in CFD software
- Proven track record of designing hardware with thermal constraints
- BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering
Apptronik Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Medical insurance through UnitedHealthcare includes multiple plan types with an employer-paid portion, alongside life and disability coverage. These core health benefits are presented as comprehensive for a fast-growing startup.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Company equity is explicitly included in total rewards, with performance bonuses and relocation assistance also listed. This ownership component adds longer-term upside beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Generous parental leave, family medical leave, and an onsite mother’s room are highlighted. These provisions indicate tangible support for caregiving needs.
Apptronik Insights
What We Do
Apptronik is building robots for the real world to improve human quality of life and to help solve the ever-increasing labor shortage problem. Our team has been building some of the most advanced robots on the planet for years, dating back to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. We apply our expertise across the full robotics stack to some of the most important and impactful problems our society faces, and expect our products and technology to change the world for the better. We value passion, creativity, and collaboration to help us overcome existing technological barriers in the industry to create truly innovative products.
Why Work With Us
At Apptronik, we don't see a future where man competes against machine. Instead, we envision a harmonious world where man and machine coexist. Our mission statement, "It is not Man vs. Machine, but Man + Machine," encapsulates our belief that the synergy between humans and robots will pave the way for a brighter, more advanced future.
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Apptronik Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
