Senior Mechanical Engineer

Chef Robotics is accelerating the deployment of intelligent machines in the physical world, starting with food production - the sector facing the largest labor shortage in the U.S., with 1.14M unfilled jobs today and 3.1M projected by 2030. These roles can't be offshored, making robotics essential to keeping production onshore and strengthening America's manufacturing base.

Our AI-powered robots automate food prep and assembly in commercial kitchens and food manufacturing, and have already produced over 110 million meals in production - generating the world's largest proprietary dataset for deformable food manipulation. Backed by investors including Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg Beta, and Promus Ventures, and built by a team from Cruise, Zoox, Google, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics, Chef is rapidly scaling with multiple multi-year contracts and a mission to put an intelligent robot in every commercial kitchen.

About the Role

Robots are transforming how the world makes food - and you'll be building the hands that do it. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Chef, you'll design and ship the mechatronic components that power our robotic systems, from clever end effectors to full manipulation systems.

You'll own the full development lifecycle: rapid prototyping, lab testing, systems integration, and vendor coordination. If you want your mechanical designs deployed in commercial kitchens across the country, this is your role.

In this role, you will:

• Design and build mechatronic components for automated control systems and robotics, with a strong focus on end effectors and manipulation systems
• Drive systems integration - taking individual components all the way to a full, functioning robotic system
• Work hands-on in our lab: prototype fast, test hard, and iterate until it ships
• Partner closely with software, electrical, and industrial design teams to build solutions that are both elegant and production-ready
• Source and coordinate with vendors to identify and procure the right materials for mechatronic system designs
• Build robust testing processes, conduct reliability studies, and evaluate the feasibility, cost, and performance of new mechatronic equipment

What You Bring:

• You've shipped hardware to production - and you know what it really takes
• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical design or robotics
• Expert-level SolidWorks: CAD, CAM, solid modeling, surface modeling, and sheet metal
• Strong command of fabrication drawings, 2D drawings, and GD&T
• Experience owning the full product cycle - from first concept through production release and redesign
• Deep knowledge of FEA, risk analysis, solid mechanics, and heat and stress transfer simulation

$170,000 - $220,000 a year

Chef is an early-stage startup where equity is a major part of the compensation package. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

In addition to salary and early-stage equity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, commuter benefits, flexible paid time off (PTO), catered lunch, and 401(k) matching.

Chef Robotics is solving one of the hardest problems in AI and robotics - and we ship. Our robots are in production today, generating real data that trains the next generation of food AI. Backed by Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg Beta, and Promus Ventures, and built by a team from Cruise, Zoox, Google, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics, we're scaling fast with multiple multi-year enterprise contracts. If you want to build physical AI with real-world deployments and real impact, Chef is the place.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.