Mechanical Design Engineer

OpenAI, Inc.

Job Overview

Location

San Francisco

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• Lead the design, iteration, and sustaining engineering of mechanical subsystems for robotic platforms, including structures, mechanisms, and actuators.
• Create and maintain detailed CAD models, assemblies, and engineering drawings with precise tolerancing and documentation standards.
• Build, test, and debug physical prototypes to resolve mechanical issues related to fit, alignment, friction, wear, and load paths.
• Develop and execute test methods to validate performance, durability, and failure modes of mechanical components under real-world conditions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate mechanical systems with sensors, actuators, control systems, and software.
• Support the transition of designs from prototype to manufacturable assemblies by applying DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DFA (Design for Assembly) principles.
• Work directly with manufacturing partners and internal build teams to troubleshoot assembly issues and improve production processes.
• Analyze test results and field performance data to identify root causes of failures and drive iterative design improvements.
• Document all design changes, test outcomes, and engineering decisions to ensure repeatability, traceability, and production readiness.
• Lead sustaining engineering efforts by investigating field failures, tracking issue resolution, and implementing corrective actions.
• Work in-person four days per week at the San Francisco office to support hands-on prototyping, testing, and team collaboration.
• Contribute to hardware programs moving from early-stage prototypes through initial production phases.
• Maintain strong mechanical intuition and apply deep understanding of tolerances, alignment, wear mechanisms, and structural integrity in robotic systems.
• Iterate quickly in response to evolving requirements, incomplete data, and real-time feedback from testing and manufacturing.
• Break down complex mechanical problems into actionable design solutions, focusing on interfaces, assembly constraints, and material behavior.
• Proactively seek alignment and feedback from engineering, software, and manufacturing partners to ensure cohesive system integration.
• Value clear documentation, standardized processes, and repeatability in all stages of hardware development.
• Apply experience scaling physical products from prototype to high-volume production environments.

🎯 Requirements

• 5+ years experience in mechanical design, robotics, or electromechanical systems
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or similar
• Experience with prototyping, lab work, or hardware bring-up
• Experience working on multidisciplinary projects involving hardware and software integration
• Familiarity with high-volume GD&T, engineering drawings, and tolerancing practices

🏖️ Benefits

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics systems aligned with AGI-level intelligence goals
• Collaborative environment with experienced engineers and cross-functional teams
• Hands-on role involving physical prototyping, testing, and real-world hardware development
• In-person collaboration four days per week in San Francisco to support team innovation
• Contribution to mission-driven AI research aimed at benefiting humanity
• Access to advanced manufacturing and prototyping resources

Skills & Technologies

Onsite

Degree Required

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OpenAI, Inc.

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About OpenAI, Inc.

OpenAI is a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence research and deployment company founded in 2015. It develops large-scale AI models such as GPT, DALL-E, and Codex, providing cloud APIs and consumer applications like ChatGPT. Originally established as a non-profit, it later created a capped-profit subsidiary to attract capital while maintaining its mission to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.

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