Senior Mechanical Engineer - Robotic Power Tools

About Origin

Origin (previously 10xConstruction) is building general-purpose autonomous robots for US construction to tackle rising costs, safety risks, and labour shortages. Our modular, multi-trade platform combines purpose-built hardware with real-time site intelligence to navigate complex environments and execute tasks with precision. Trained in high-fidelity simulation and already deployed on live sites, our robots deliver 5x faster execution, 250%+ margin expansion, and significant cost savings. Join India’s most talent-dense robotics team consisting of individuals from IITs, Stanford, UCLA, etc.

About the role

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer - Robotic Power Tools, you will take full ownership of adapting and designing specific, complex robotic power tool modules. You will lead the mechanical transformation of heavy-duty construction tools into precise, reliable robotic end-effectors. You are expected to independently solve difficult packaging constraints, design complex linkages, perform rigorous tolerance stack-ups, and ensure your tools survive the extreme dust, vibration, and impact of a construction site.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Mechanism Design:

• Design complex mechanical assemblies, including custom gear trains, compliance mechanisms (springs/dampers), and kinematic mounts for heavy power tools.
• Perform structural FEA to optimize tool mounts for stiffness and weight, ensuring the robot arm's payload limits are respected.
• Execute rigorous 3D tolerance stack-up analyses to guarantee the repeatability of quick-change mechanisms and docking stations.

Hardware Integration & Adaptation:

• Tear down and reverse-engineer off-the-shelf construction tools (sanders, grinders, sprayers), designing custom machined housings and adapter plates to bypass human-centric ergonomics for robotic mounting.
• Design robust cable management and dust extraction (vacuum) routing systems for the tools.

V&V and Reliability:

• Own the DFMEA for your specific tooling modules and implement design mitigations.
• Develop and execute aggressive Verification & Validation (V&V) testing (e.g., continuous impact testing, vibration tables, accelerated life testing) to expose mechanical flaws before field deployment.
• Resolve tooling-related field issues through RCA (Root Cause Analysis).

Prototyping & Mentorship:

• Champion rapid prototyping using CNC, sheet metal, and industrial 3D printing to quickly validate mechanism geometries.
• Mentor junior engineers in DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and proper application of ASME Y14.5 GD&T.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 4-8 years of professional experience designing industrial mechanisms, robotics, or power tools.
• Expert proficiency in CAD (Onshape or equivalent) and creating production-ready 2D drawings.
• Deep knowledge of GD&T, material science (metals and engineering plastics), and manufacturing processes (machining, casting, injection molding).
• Exceptional hands-on skills for building and debugging complex mechanical assemblies in the lab.

Preferred Experiences

• Experience designing tool changers or end-effectors for industrial robotic arms (KUKA, UR, Fanuc).
• Background in designing for harsh environments with high IP ratings.

• Gain experience in a dynamic startup environment at the forefront of robotics and AI innovation.
• Contribute to the development of technology that will revolutionize the construction industry.
• Work alongside a talented and passionate team committed to making a real-world impact.
• Learn from experienced professionals and gain valuable skills in robotics software engineering.
• Gain practical experience in a real-world engineering environment.
• Contribute to a project with the potential to make a significant impact on the construction industry.