Staff Mechanical Engineer — R&D

JOB SUMMARY

Apptronik is building Apollo — a general-purpose humanoid robot designed to work alongside humans. We are seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer to join our R&D team and lead rapid development of next-generation robotic systems. This is a prototype-first role: you will turn novel mechanical concepts into working hardware fast, learn from failure, and push the physical limits of what is mechanically possible — not sustain a production line.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead full-cycle prototype development — own mechanical assemblies from concept sketch through physical build, with a bias toward speed and iteration.
• Design and fabricate hardware in-house — operate machine shop equipment, 3D printers, and fabrication tools to rapidly validate design concepts.
• Plan and execute mechanical experiments — define test objectives, instrument prototypes with sensors, and run structured experiments to validate mechanical behavior.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines — work directly with controls, electrical, and systems engineers to integrate mechanical designs into full system prototypes.
• Conceive novel mechanism architectures — evaluate new actuation concepts, transmission designs, and structural approaches beyond iteration on existing hardware.
• Mentor junior engineers — guide team members through prototype development cycles, design reviews, and hands-on fabrication.
• Maintain design documentation — capture design intent clearly enough to enable replication and inform cross-functional teams, without bureaucratic overhead.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• 8+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience with a strong focus on R&D and prototype development
• Proven track record of taking novel mechanical concepts from sketch to functional hardware
• Deep proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Onshape, or equivalent)
• Shop-floor capability: comfortable with machining, 3D printing, sheet metal, and manual fabrication
• Experience with structural and dynamic analysis (FEA, hand calculations, or both)
• Comfort with ambiguity — energized by open-ended problems and fast-changing requirements
• Strong mechanical intuition developed through years of building and iterating on physical systems

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of experience in R&D-focused mechanical engineering roles
• Preferred: experience on advanced robotics, NASA/DARPA programs, or similar high-bar R&D environments

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
• Ability to work in a lab/machine shop environment, including standing for extended periods