Principal Mechanical Engineer

At Raise Robotics, we’re building robots that work where people shouldn’t. Our team has successfully deployed machines into real construction sites and factories. We’re now building our next generation platform to help build some of the largest structures in the world - think buildings, ships, energy generation plants, and more. We’re looking for team members who enjoy touch technical challenges and want to make an impact. You’ll have the opportunity to travel to customer sites and see our machines working out in the real world. For this role, we are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to own the design, analysis, prototyping, and production-readiness of critical mechanical subsystems across our AMR platform. This is a high-impact individual contributor role where you will take full ownership of subsystems end-to-end, from concept through deployment. You will work across AMR chassis and drivetrain design, end-effector and manipulation systems, industrial enclosures and protective structures, and sensor integration hardware. You will collaborate daily with electrical, firmware, and software engineers to ship robots into harsh, real-world environments. Responsibilities Participate hands‑on in prototype builds, including hardware installation, fit‑check validation, and iterative design refinement on the shop floor. Design and iterate on chassis, drivetrain, suspension, and 4WD/4WS mobility platforms for heavy‑payload industrial AMRs. Develop end‑effector mounts, manipulation system interfaces, and tool‑changing mechanisms for robotic arms (e.g., FAIRINO FR20, UR20). Design ruggedized enclosures, protective domes, sensor mounts, and air curtain assemblies for deployment in shipyards, painting and coating environments, and manufacturing facilities. Design mounting brackets, structural interfaces, and thermal management solutions for compute units, power electronics, and ancillary hardware on mobile platforms. Collaborate with electrical and controls teams on physical routing and packaging of wire harnesses, fluid lines, and cooling components within tight mechanical envelopes. Perform first‑order hand calculations for structural loads, vibration fatigue, and thermal dissipation, and collaborate with analysis teams on detailed FEA validation. Create GD&T‑compliant engineering drawings, weldment designs, and sheet metal fabrication packages for vendor quoting and production. Select and specify actuators, servo drives, gas springs, load cells, and other electromechanical components. Manage vendor relationships from RFQ through delivery. Collaborate with electrical and controls engineers on sensor integration (LiDAR, ultrasonic, IMU) and safety‑rated hardware (STO inputs, OSSD interfaces). Support ATEX Zone 2 and IP‑rated enclosure design considerations for hazardous environment deployments. Drive DFM reviews and work closely with contract manufacturers, machine shops, and sheet metal fabricators to ensure producibility at low‑to‑mid volumes. Maintain engineering documentation, BOMs, and revision control in alignment with company standards. Experience 5+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience, with at least 2 years at an early‑stage or high‑growth hardware startup (Series Seed through Series B). Hands‑on experience through a 0‑to‑1 build phase (first prototype to first customer shipment) or a 1‑to‑100 scaling phase (transitioning designs from one‑off prototypes into repeatable, production‑ready builds). Expert‑level proficiency in SolidWorks (or equivalent parametric CAD) with strong GD&T knowledge for production drawings. Working knowledge of FEA tools (SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or similar) for structural, thermal, and modal analysis, as well as the ability to perform first‑order hand calculations to drive early design decisions. Deep experience designing for sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, and welded steel/aluminum structures in heavy industrial contexts. Clear technical communicator who can present design reviews, trade studies, and failure analyses to cross‑functional teams. Prior experience in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or industrial automation.

• Preferred) Exposure to hazardous area design standards (ATEX, IECEx, NEC) and IP‑rated enclosure design (IP54+).
• Preferred) Experience designing stabilization systems (outriggers, leveling mechanisms) for mobile platforms.