Staff Mechatronics Engineer
At Rhoda AI, we’re building the next generation of generalist intelligent robots. We own the full robotics stack from high-performance hardware and robot systems to the infrastructure and state-of-the-art foundation world models that control our robots. Our robots are designed to be generalists capable of operating in complex, real-world environments and handling long-tail edge cases, made possible by our cutting edge research and end-to-end system design. We've raised over $450M and are investing aggressively in model research, infrastructure, hardware development, and manufacturing scale-up to make generalist robotics a reality.
You will own the full mechatronic architecture of our UMI (Universal Manipulation Interface) data collection platform - from first prototype to mass-produced fleet hardware. This is a staff-level role with end-to-end ownership: you define the architecture, make the hard cross-subsystem tradeoffs, drive the transition from lab prototype to manufacturable product, and ensure the device performs reliably at scale across global operator sites. Motor control and firmware are owned separately; everything else is yours.
What You'll Do
Own the mechatronic architecture of the UMI device - mechanical structure, gripper kinematics, sensor integration, and all physical subsystem interfaces
Drive the full hardware lifecycle: concept → prototype → DVT → mass production; own the design decisions that make each transition possible
Define and hold mechanical specifications across the program: 2-finger gripper geometry, wrist kinematics, operator ergonomics, weight, balance, and stiffness targets
Own sensor integration at the hardware level - camera mount geometry, IMU placement, Aruco marker systems, and calibration fixture design; the spatial accuracy of the data pipeline starts with how well sensors are mounted and held
Lead DFM/DFA from 3D-printed prototype through injection-molded and die-cast production parts; own the BOM, part-level traceability, and supplier qualification process
Define reliability and durability requirements for fleet deployment; the device ships to dozens of operator sites globally and failure directly cuts data output - you design so it doesn't fail
Set up and drive DVT/PVT test plans: cycle testing, abuse testing, thermal, and calibration stability across device lifetime
Interface with the EE team on PCB envelopes, connector placement, and cable routing accommodations - you own the structures and interfaces, they own what's inside
Lead design reviews, define subsystem requirements, and set the technical bar for the broader hardware team
What You Bring
Track record taking mechatronic products from prototype through mass production - consumer electronics, robotics, medical devices, wearables, or comparable high-volume precision hardware
Systems-level fluency across the full stack: mechanism design, sensor integration, DFM, tolerance analysis, supplier management, and reliability engineering
Deep hands-on experience with DFM/DFA for molded, die-cast, and machined parts; you've owned the factory conversation, not just handed off drawings
Proven experience integrating sensors - cameras, IMUs, encoders - into precision mechanical structures where mounting geometry and compliance directly affect measurement quality
Experience setting up and running DVT/PVT programs: test plan definition, failure analysis, design iteration under production constraints
Staff-level engineering judgment: you know when to iterate fast and when to lock down, and you've made that call under real program pressure
Nice to Have
Experience with UMI-style, teleoperation, or robot data-capture hardware
Familiarity with camera calibration pipelines, fiducial marker systems, or 6-DoF spatial tracking
Experience scaling a device from a handful of lab units to a global deployed fleet
Prior technical lead or program ownership experience on a hardware product that shipped
CAD skills and experience with Solidworks or CATIA.