Senior Mechanical Engineer

Dexmate is building the foundation for physical AI — combining a new generation of robots with a universal Physical AI OS that makes robots as easy to build and deploy as software. Today, robotics is fragmented, slow, and closed: most builders are forced to reinvent the same stack again and again, and most ideas never make it past the prototype stage.

 Dexmate’s mission is to democratize robotics by lowering the barrier to entry, delivering a plug-and-play platform for developers, researchers, and enterprises, and cultivating an open ecosystem that accelerates the evolution of physical AI.

The Opportunity

Dexmate is looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to design, test, and implement key hardware components for their humanoid robot platform. You will own mechanical subsystems end-to-end — from requirements definition through 3D CAD, prototype build, supplier qualification, first-article inspection, and production release.

 This is a hands-on role that spans the full development arc. You will own the transition from working prototype to production-ready design at a contract manufacturer — designing for manufacturability from day one, driving DFM reviews, resolving first-article failures, and ensuring your designs survive the gap between “works in the lab” and “ships at volume.” Your designs will be on every unit that leaves the factory.

 Candidates who have only operated in R&D or prototype-only environments are not a fit for this role.

What You’ll Do

• •      Design parts and assemblies in 3D CAD that satisfy load conditions, form factor constraints, range-of-motion requirements, and durability targets


• •      Determine component-level mechanical requirements (stiffness, strength, fatigue, thermal) from system-level functional specs


• •      Apply analytical methods including FEA, tolerance stack-up, and kinematic analysis before releasing designs for prototyping or production


• •      Generate accurate 2D drawings with GD&T per ASME Y14.5 appropriate for both prototype and production inspection


• •      Build prototypes to test assembly, range of motion, wire routing, and integration with adjacent subsystems


• •      Design and build test stands and fixtures; conduct structured validation testing and document results rigorously


• •      Own the prototype-to-production transition: apply DFM/DFA principles from the first design iteration, not as a final step; drive changes required to achieve manufacturability, yield, and cost targets


• •      Work with suppliers to select and qualify parts; inspect first articles, perform root cause analysis on failures, and drive corrective action through to closure


• •      Conduct DFM/DFA reviews with contract manufacturers; define mechanical acceptance criteria, support tooling bring-up, and stay engaged through production ramp


• •      Define and execute structured validation plans including environmental, fatigue, and functional testing to prove out designs before they lock for production


• •      Collaborate closely with electrical engineers on electromechanical integration including motor mounting, sensor placement, wire harness routing, and connector access


• •      Contribute to materials selection, surface finishing, and manufacturing process decisions across the robot

You Should Have

• •      5+ years of mechanical engineering experience in robotics, industrial automation, automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronics, with at least one product shipped to production


• •      Expert proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, Onshape, or equivalent) for complex parts and assemblies with tight tolerances


• •      Mastery of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and the ability to create production-ready 2D drawings


• •      Experience with actuators and transmission systems including strain-wave (harmonic), planetary, cycloidal gearing, or direct-drive


• •      Hands-on experience with structural FEA and tolerance stack-up analysis as part of routine design validation


• •      Proven electromechanical integration experience: motors, sensors, encoders, wire harnesses, and connectors in tight mechanical envelopes


• •      Demonstrated ability to take a design from working prototype to production-ready, including DFM iterations, supplier qualification, first-article inspection, and manufacturing yield validation

Nice to Have

• •      Deep familiarity with manufacturing processes and when to apply each: CNC machining (3- and 5-axis), injection molding, die casting, sheet metal, MIM, investment casting, and surface finishing; understanding of tradeoffs across cost, tolerance, lead time, and volume


• •      Direct experience working with contract manufacturers on DFM reviews, tooling bring-up, first-article inspection, and yield improvement


• •      Hands-on prototyping experience with rapid fabrication methods (FDM/SLA/SLS, CNC soft tooling, urethane casting) and inspection equipment including CMM, optical comparators, and CT scanning


• •      Experience with thermal design and heat dissipation in compact electromechanical systems


• •      Background in reliability engineering: fatigue analysis, HALT/HASS, or accelerated life testing


• •      Wire harness design experience


• •      Proficiency with simulation tools beyond FEA: CFD, multi-body dynamics (Adams, Simscape), or kinematic simulation


• •      Familiarity with functional safety requirements for mechanisms operating near humans

Compensation

Base Salary: $120,000 - $300,000, depending on experience, plus equity.