Staff Mechanical Engineer – Structural Simulation & Analysis

JOB SUMMARY

Apptronik is seeking a Staff Mechanical Engineer – Structural Simulation to support the structural integrity, mass optimization, and dynamic performance of our humanoid robot, Apollo. In this role, you will contribute to simulation efforts that help move designs from concept to validated hardware while reducing the need for extensive physical prototyping.

As a staff engineer, you will work with FEA and related tools to address complex physics challenges such as impact dynamics, fatigue in high-DOF joints, and multi-body dynamics while contributing to the broader simulation approach. You’ll collaborate across teams to help connect system-level behaviors with the physical capabilities of the robot’s structure.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Simulation Roadmap: Support the definition of the workflows and methodologies across the team.
• Predictive Engineering: Help drive the shift to embedding simulation into early architectural decisions.
• Standardization: Establish and enforce company-wide standards for modeling (materials, boundary conditions, safety factors).
• Non-Linear & Dynamic FEA: Guide the complex non-linear and dynamic simulation challenges (e.g., robot falls, extreme events).
• Fatigue & Life Prediction: Validate fatigue life methodologies, including advanced fracture mechanics approaches.
• Mass Optimization: Drive mass optimization strategy across systems, balancing stiffness, durability, and weight targets.
• Test/Sim Correlation: Design and participate in the test/simulation correlation strategy, ensuring models are predictive and continuously improved.
• Material Characterization: Support material characterization strategy, especially for advanced materials.
• Mentorship: Mentor senior and junior level engineers and act as the technical escalation point for hardest problems.
• Cross-Disciplinary: Lead deep technical reviews and resolve cross-disciplinary physics bottlenecks and help to influence product architecture through simulation-informed trade studies.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Software Mastery: Proficiency in industry-standard simulation suites (e.g., Ansys, Abaqus, SimCenter).
• Physics Depth: Mastery of solid mechanics, vibration (vibration, shock, and modal analysis), heat transfer, and multi-body dynamics.
• Humanoid Context: Specific experience with high-speed moving mechanisms or "lightweighting" structures for mobile platforms is highly preferred.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• PhD or MS degree  in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with a focus on Computational Mechanics.
• At least 8 years of experience  in structural simulation and mechanical design, with a proven track record of shipping complex, high-performance electromechanical products (Robotics, Aerospace, or Automotive).
  

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]