Mechanical Design Engineer, Motor Design & Prototyping
About this role
The robotics team at OpenAI is developing hardware and software to unlock general-purpose robotics and push toward artificial intelligence capabilities in real-world settings. This mechanical design engineer role focuses on leading the development of motor mechanical designs and prototype hardware for advanced robotic systems, owning stator and rotor mechanical development from early concepts through hands-on builds. Candidates will manage components like laminations, stack assemblies, bobbins, and winding interfaces while partnering closely with electromagnetic, electrical, test, and manufacturing teams.
Someone who moves comfortably between computer-aided design, the machine shop, and hands-on builds will do well in this position. The person joining this team will establish low-volume prototype production and testing methods while resolving tradeoffs between motor performance, packaging, and buildability. Candidates should enjoy diagnosing failed builds through focused experiments and documenting processes so technicians can reproduce successful outcomes.
What you will do
- Manage stator and rotor mechanical designs along with released computer-aided design and drawings that cover geometry, tolerances, retention, and validation.
- Develop lamination methods, stack assembly processes, bobbins, and winding interfaces to control alignment, insulation, and conductor placement.
- Design, fabricate, and debug fixtures intended for winding, stacking, assembly, alignment, and inspection.
- Build and troubleshoot prototypes by utilizing measurements, defects, and assembly observations to refine designs and processes.
- Establish low-volume prototype production parameters including equipment, build sequences, work instructions, revision control, and acceptance checks.
- Test new manufacturing methods and winding approaches while balancing performance, repeatability, and implementation.
- Collaborate with electromagnetic, electrical, manufacturing, and test engineers to resolve tradeoffs regarding motor performance and packaging.
What you need
- Experience designing and building motors, actuators, or other precision electromechanical assemblies.
- Familiarity with lamination stacks, bobbins, winding, insulation interfaces, or small-component assembly.
- Proficiency in 3D computer-aided design, manufacturing drawings, tolerance analysis, and fixture design.
- Hands-on metrology and inspection experience involving critical mechanical interfaces.
- Background in prototype manufacturing processes such as machining, additive manufacturing, or bonding.
- Experience translating an initial build into a repeatable low-volume production process.
Nice to have
- Interest in using AI to reduce repetitive design and prototype work with careful engineering review
Benefits
- Offers Equity
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the remote work policy for this role?
This role is based in San Francisco, California, and requires an in-person presence four days a week.
What is the compensation range for this position?
The salary ranges from $225K to $318K and includes offers of equity.
What kind of team will I be working with?
You will partner closely with electromagnetic, electrical, test, and manufacturing teams within the broader robotics group.