Founding Engineer - Mechanical Design & Control at Tangible in Fremont, California

Job Description:

Tangible is an early-stage robotics startup on a mission to make robots commonplace. Their strategy is to start with a simple humanoid: a dexterous bimanual wheeled robot specifically designed to address the hospitality industry's critical labor shortage, where 76% of positions remain unfilled despite significant wage increases. Their humanoid robot combines human-like dexterity and advanced robotic autonomy to perform essential hotel operations, including housekeeping and delivery services.

Founded by Bipasha, Benjamin, and Shankara, roboticists from MIT & NEU with expertise in perception, deep learning, sensor fusion, and mechanical engineering, Tangible is building practical robots that prioritize reliable task execution over complex humanoid features.

They're expanding fast and looking for insanely talented engineers & scientists-and they're willing to compensate very well for the right talent. The only real requirement? 80+ hour workweeks and the drive to build something massive.

???? Location: San Francisco / Palo Alto (Full-time, in-person)

???? Compensation: Highly competitive salary + equity options

Responsibilities:

• Design, prototype, and test novel robotic mechanisms and actuation systems.
• Lead the development of dexterous, high-performance robotic arms and hands, ensuring robustness and manufacturability.
• Own full-stack mechanical design, from concept to production, including kinematics, structural analysis, and material selection.
• Work closely with electrical and software engineers to integrate mechanical designs with sensing, control, and AI systems.
• Develop custom transmission systems (gearing, belts, linkages) for efficient and precise robotic movement.
• Optimize designs for weight, durability, and manufacturability, keeping cost and real-world deployment in mind.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation, iterating rapidly based on experimental results.
• Select and integrate off-the-shelf components while pushing the limits of custom hardware development.
• Collaborate with suppliers, machinists, and fabrication shops to bring designs to life.
• Help build an elite mechanical team, hiring and mentoring other engineers.

What We're Looking For:

• Deep expertise in mechanical design-particularly in robotics, mechatronics, or automation.
• Strong understanding of kinematics, dynamics, and material science for robotic systems.
• Hands-on experience designing and assembling robotic mechanisms, actuators, and transmissions.
• Proficiency in CAD software and simulation tools (FEA, dynamics analysis).
• Experience working with servo motors, gearboxes, force-torque sensors, and compliant mechanisms.
• Ability to prototype quickly-from 3D printing to machining and custom fabrication.
• Strong grasp of manufacturing processes (CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal, carbon fiber, etc.).
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, high-intensity startup environment with rapid iteration cycles.
• Passion for robotics and a drive to build real-world robotic systems that work.
• This isn't just another engineering role-it's an opportunity to define the future of humanoid robotics at a company set on solving real-world problems. If you're obsessed with building robots that actually work in the wild, we want to hear from you.

Apply Now