Electrical Engineer - Actuators and Drives

About 1X
We’re an AI and robotics company based in Palo Alto, California, on a mission to build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously.

We believe that to truly understand the world and grow in intelligence, humanoid robots must live and learn alongside us. That’s why we’re focused on developing friendly home robots designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life.

We’re looking for curious, driven, and passionate people who want to help shape the future of robotics and AI. If this mission excites you, we’d be thrilled to hear from you and explore how you might contribute to our journey.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Electrical Engineer to help design, develop, and scale electrical systems for advanced robotic platforms. This is a generalist electrical engineering role with opportunities to work across power, sensing, embedded systems, and system architecture, with a strong focus on robotic actuators and motor drive systems.

In this role, you will take ownership of critical electrical subsystems from early architecture and component selection through schematic design, layout review, bring-up, and production support. You will work closely with mechanical, firmware, controls, and test engineers to deliver robust, high-performance, and manufacturable systems.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys operating across abstraction layers, balancing hands-on execution with system-level thinking, and contributing to technically ambitious products.

Responsibilities

• Own the electrical design of key subsystems across robotic platforms, from concept through production

• Define electrical architectures that balance performance, reliability, safety, cost, and manufacturability

• Design, review, and debug schematics and PCBs, including power, sensing, and control electronics

• Bring up and validate prototypes and production-intent hardware using lab equipment

• Collaborate closely with firmware, controls, and mechanical engineers to enable high-performance systems

• Support EMI/ESD, safety, and reliability requirements throughout the design process

• Drive electrical design best practices, documentation, and design reviews

• Work with manufacturing and test teams to support DFM/DFA, production ramp, and field issues

• Contribute to technical decision-making at both system and detailed implementation levels

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field

• 5+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering (senior/staff level depending on experience)

• Strong fundamentals in analog and digital circuit design

• Experience designing and debugging real hardware, from schematic to PCB to bring-up

• Familiarity with power systems, sensors, and embedded electronics

• Hands-on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, etc.)

• Understanding of EMI/ESD considerations and robust hardware design practices

• Experience collaborating across disciplines (mechanical, firmware, controls, test, manufacturing)

• Ability to take ownership of complex technical problems and drive them to completion

Nice to Have (Actuators & Drives Focus)

• Experience designing motor drive systems, including power electronics and motor interfaces

• Familiarity with robotic actuators or electromechanical systems

• Understanding of motor types, sensors (encoders, current sensing), and control requirements

• Experience with high-power or high-current electronics

• Exposure to mass manufacturing electronics and production ramp-up

• Experience with safety-critical or high-reliability systems

• Knowledge of thermal design and fault-tolerant architectures

• Basic familiarity with mechanical CAD or close collaboration with mechanical design

Benefits & Compensation

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid time off and holidays

Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.