Staff Drivetrain Engineer

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 Applied 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.

JOB SUMMARY

We're looking for highly motivated and talented engineers with hands-on experience and a passion for robotics to join our team. Specifically, we seek a Staff Drivetrain Engineer with proven capabilities in drivetrain design – gear design, gearbox architectures, and testing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Conceptualize, design, build, and test drivetrain technologies for use in electric actuators

Design drivetrains to optimize for mass, volume, inertia, efficiency, torques, and speeds

Design gear tooth profiles to optimize for backlash, efficiency, strength, and lifetime

Select layout and type of bearings based on performance characteristics, loads, and packaging

Select lubrication strategy with maintenance, performance, and lifetime in mind

Perform analysis (FEA, gear analysis software, static analysis, etc) to optimize and validate design

Select materials and manufacturing methods to optimize for actuation performance and cost

Create GD&T-informed drawings, a Bill of Material, and procurement documentation

Produce assembly instructions and finalize project documentation

Participate in pilot build of your design

Perform DVP&R to ensure design meets requirements

Iterate on design to harden for scalability and DFMA

Collaborate with a small cross-disciplinary team of engineers

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

High proficiency in gear design software (KISSsoft, Romax, or similar) and CAD (NX, Solidworks, Onshape, etc)

Strong understanding of gear manufacturing technologies, gear analysis, and tribology

Extensive knowledge of types of gearboxes (planetary, spur gear, etc) and relevant industry standards (AGMA, SAE, ISO, etc)

Mastery of engineering fundamentals / first principles

Exceptional attention to detail

Excellent teamwork and collaboration

Outstanding organizational and time management skills

The ability to multi-task and manage conflicting deadlines

Strong written and verbal communication

Great team player able to perform within a dynamic start-up environment

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or related field

8+ years of experience in development of drivetrains, gearboxes, actuators, or similar, specifically within the robotics, automotive, or aerospace industries

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.