Apprentice - Mechanical Design

About Origin

Origin (previously 10xConstruction) is building general-purpose autonomous robots for US construction to tackle rising costs, safety risks, and labor shortages. Our modular, multi-trade platform combines purpose-built hardware with real-time site intelligence to navigate complex environments and execute tasks with precision. Trained in high-fidelity simulation and already deployed on live sites, our robots deliver 5x faster execution, 250%+ margin expansion, and significant cost savings. Join India’s most talent-dense robotics team consisting of individuals from IITs, Stanford, UCLA, etc.

About the role

The Mechanical Design Apprentice role is for early-career mechanical engineers who want to build real robots. You own small, clear modules of the robot. Senior Engineers mentor you. You design parts in CAD, make prototypes, assemble the hardware in the lab and test it. Your work covers three areas: the mobile manipulator (chassis, drivetrain and arm), the robotic power tools, and the enclosures and wire harnesses.

Key Responsibilities

Sub-assembly design:

• Design sub-assemblies in Onshape or SolidWorks. Examples: a battery tray, a sensor shroud, a dust extraction nozzle, a motor controller bracket, a cable guide.
• Make 2D manufacturing drawings for prototype vendors.
• Keep the CAD vault and the Bills of Materials (BOMs) up to date.
• Give mass, inertia and center-of-gravity data from CAD to the controls team for the robot URDF.

Fabrication and assembly:

• Make form-and-fit prototypes on the lab 3D printers (FDM, SLA).
• Assemble drivetrains, manipulator joints, chassis and power tools. Torque fasteners to specification. Press-fit bearings and set belt tension.
• Build wire harnesses by hand to industrial crimp standards, with heat shrink and braided sleeve.
• Make test jigs, brackets and fixtures with shop tools (drill press, bandsaw, hand tools) and 80/20 extrusions.
• Write assembly procedures.

Test and validation:

• Set up and run load tests, cycle tests, thermal chamber tests, drop tests and vibration tests.
• Measure and log data: deflection, weight, motor temperature, enclosure temperature under compute load.
• Join field tests. Watch the mechanical systems under real construction loads. Find the cause of physical failures.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics or a related field.
• 0-2 years of experience. A strong portfolio of physical projects is mandatory (for example FSAE, Baja, Solar Car, Robocon, combat robots or complex personal builds).
• Good 3D CAD skills (Onshape or SolidWorks).
• Good knowledge of statics, dynamics, kinematics, mechanics of materials and basic thermodynamics.
• Good hands-on skills. You must be comfortable with hand tools, power tools and crimpers.

Preferred Experiences

• Robotics projects: AMRs, robot arms, quadrupeds, humanoids, drones.
• 3D printer or basic CNC operation.
• Basic GD&T and engineering drawing knowledge.
• Basic electrical wiring: strip, solder, crimp.

For apprentice/intern: This is a six-month contract-to-hire position. Longer-term roles are possible, based on your contribution and interest.

Benefits

• Gain experience in a dynamic startup environment at the forefront of robotics and AI innovation.
• Contribute to the development of technology that will revolutionize the construction industry.
• Work alongside a talented and passionate team committed to making a real-world impact.
• Learn from experienced professionals and gain valuable skills in robotics software engineering.
• Gain practical experience in a real-world engineering environment.
• Contribute to a project with the potential to make a significant impact on the construction industry.