Actuator Electromagnetic Design Engineer

Overview

Senior Actuator Electromagnetic Design Engineer to lead custom electromechanical actuator development for advanced robotic systems.

What you'll do

• Lead architecture, design, and integration of custom robotic actuators, including electromagnetic component simulation, design, and sourcing.
• Define actuator requirements and conduct system-level trade studies for torque density, bandwidth, efficiency, thermal performance, inertia, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
• Design precision electromechanical assemblies with focus on tolerances, alignment, load paths, thermal expansion, sealing, wear, and serviceability.
• Integrate actuators into robotic systems and partner with controls, firmware, electrical, and robotics software teams to optimize closed-loop performance.
• Develop and validate prototypes via hands-on bring-up, debugging, characterization, and iterative refinement.
• Develop test methodologies and infrastructure for actuator performance, reliability, durability, and failure analysis.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers to transition designs from prototype to production-ready assemblies.

What you'll need

• 5+ years of experience designing electromagnetic systems, robotic actuators, or precision mechatronic hardware.
• Strong understanding of motors, transmissions, bearings, encoders, structural design, thermal management, and precision mechanical integration.
• Experience developing validation plans, reliability testing, and failure analysis workflows.
• Proficiency with CAD and PLM tools such as NX and Teamcenter or equivalent systems.
• Have strong intuition for tradeoffs between performance, robustness, manufacturability, and cost in electromagnetic systems.
• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field.

Details

• Based in San Francisco, CA.
• Requires in-person presence 4 days a week.