Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team)
- Pay
- $165,000 – $190,000 per year
- Location
- San Francisco, CA · On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Mid-level
- Listed
- 30 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- mechanical design
- kinematics
- stress and fatigue analysis
Also useful
- CNC machining
- injection molding
- sensor integration
Stated benefits & perks
- Health
- Vision
- Dental
- 401k
Why are We Hiring for this Role
- Tackle the hardest unsolved problem in robotics hardware: human-like dexterous manipulation in the real world
- Design and develop mechanical architectures for humanoid robotic hands, including joints, structures, and tendon-driven actuation systems.
- Design/select and integrate tendons, actuators, routing hardware, transmission mechanisms and electronics in extremely space-constrained environments
- Prototype, test, and iterate hand designs to meet strength, dexterity, durability, and manufacturability goals
- Conduct stress, fatigue, and failure analysis
- Select materials for tendons and structures (hard and soft) based on a variety of criteria: strength, friction, flexibility, wear resistance.
- Evaluate materials for flexibility, grip, and wear resistance, including soft materials where applicable
What Kind of Person are We Looking For
- Shipped hard-to-build, hard-to-make-reliable products at industrial scale
- Self starter, high accountability and high sense of ownership of their work
- Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and hands-on experience in robotics, automotive, or a related field
- Experience with complex assemblies and kinematic systems under tight spatial constraints
- Understanding of manufacturing processes (CNC machining, injection molding, stamping, additive manufacturing, etc.)
- Familiarity with control systems and mechatronics
- Hands-on prototyping experience
- Plus: Prior experience with tendon-driven systems and/or highly space-constrained moving mechanisms
- Plus: Experience integrating sensors (force, position, tactile) into mechanical systems
Benefits
We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.) and equity. Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.
Salary
The annual compensation is expected to be between $165,000 - $190,000+. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.
- About Company ---
About Us
Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.
Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.
We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.
We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.
All positions are based in San Francisco.
Our Culture
We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with.
From Foundation's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 10, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) role at Foundation, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.
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Common questions
What is the salary for the Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) role at Foundation?
The Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) posting at Foundation states compensation of $165,000 – $190,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Foundation's official career site.
Where is the Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) job at Foundation located?
This Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) position at Foundation is located in San Francisco, CA (On-site). Always check Foundation's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) at Foundation?
For the Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) role, Foundation highlights experience with mechanical design, kinematics, stress and fatigue analysis. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Mechanical Engineer (Hands Team) position at Foundation?
This listing links directly to Foundation's Rippling application page. You can apply directly on Foundation's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Rippling application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.