Hardware Engineer

Note: This position has been deemed critical by the School of Engineering Dean's Office and is exempt from the hiring freeze.
The School of Engineering

Stanford Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century, creating pivotal technologies that have transformed the worlds of information technology, communications, health care, energy, business and beyond. Our faculty and students are creative risk-takers who pursue excellence across a breadth of disciplines. Our alumni include some of the world's most successful leaders in technology and business. Our staff are critical to enabling Stanford Engineering to accomplish its mission: seeking solutions to some of the world's most urgent challenges and educating leaders who will make the world a better place through the power of engineering principles, techniques and systems.

The Stanford Robotics Center (SRC) is a new effort within the university integrating the efforts of around 20 laboratories across campus that develop technology relevant to the advancement of robotics science. This is a field critical to both industry and society in the coming decades. Stanford's unique position as both an early innovator and continuing leader in the field positions us to have major planet-wide impact as we move into this new era of human-machine cooperation and interaction. Many of the fundamental capabilities now accepted as "the" solution in the field have their origins at Stanford, and many of the world's major corporations and research centers developing robotics technology have roots within our laboratories. Bringing these cross-campus experts together now, into an integrated facility addressing challenges so large they lie beyond the scope of any single laboratory, offers Stanford the possibility of structuring both the path and the priorities of this rapidly evolving area. The website provides an overview of SRC faculty membership, direction, and objectives.

We seek a Hardware Engineer to help develop and maintain the robots and supporting infrastructure at the SRC. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position will communicate with faculty, staff, post-docs and students as well as our industrial affiliate partners. The Hardware Engineer will contribute to the development of OceanOne, help to integrate the 15+ robot systems in our state-of-the-art manufacturing bay and will have the opportunity to work with many other commercial and custom-built robots.

Are you personable, proactive, and love working with state-of-the-art hardware? Then this position may be the right fit for you!

This position is onsite, working at the Stanford main campus.

In this role, you will :

• Design and develop complex and specialized equipment, instruments, or systems; coordinate detailed phases of work related to responsibility for part of a major project or for an entire project of moderate scope. For example, support development of the next generation of the OceanOne robot. Design and refine bimanual robotic workcells in the Manufacturing Bay of the SRC.
• Develop technical and methodological solutions to complex engineering/scientific problems requiring independent analytical thinking and advanced knowledge. Make buy-or-build decisions to support automatic changing of end effectors, and design and build if necessary. Plan and refine the layout of the SRC Manufacturing Bay and other spaces to support student experiments.
• Develop creative new or improved equipment, materials, technologies, processes, methods, or software important to the advancement of the field. For example, develop ROS2 software interfaces to various robots in the SRC, and design ways for students to safely share these interfaces (and therefore the robotic resources).
• Contribute technical expertise and perform basic research and development in support of programs/projects; act as advisor/consultant to research teams on hardware. Advise all of the flagship projects in the SRC on hardware decisions: field robotics, underwater robotics, manufacturing robotics, medical robotics and domestic robotics.
• Contribute to portions of published articles or presentations; prepare and write reports; draft and prepare scientific papers.

Education & Experience (Required) :

• Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (Required) :

• Thorough knowledge of the principles of engineering and related natural sciences.
• Demonstrated project management experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (Desired) :

• Advanced electromechanical skills and demonstrated experience with robotics.
• Proven success in following through and completing projects.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and assign work to others.
• Ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in making decisions.

Physical Requirements :

• Frequently grasp lightly/fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally stand/walk, sit, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp forcefully.
• Rarely kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other), reach/work above shoulders, use a telephone, writing by hand, sort/file paperwork or parts, operate foot and/or hand controls, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.

Working Conditions :

• May be exposed to high voltage electricity, radiation or electromagnetic fields, lasers, noise > 80dB TWA, Allergens/Biohazards/Chemicals /Asbestos, confined spaces, working at heights >10 feet, temperature extremes, heavy metals, unusual work hours or routine overtime and/or inclement weather.
• May require travel.

Work Standards :

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,

Pay Range:

The expected pay range for this position is $127,211.00 to $154,222.00 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for you :

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow . We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture . We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you . Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun . Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources . Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

How to Apply :

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé along with your online application. The cover letter should briefly describe why you believe you are a good fit for this position.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.