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Atlas Senior Mechanical Engineer

Boston DynamicsBoston Dynamics·Robotics
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About the role

Atlas is our next-generation humanoid robot, designed to perform useful work in dynamic, real-world environments. A central challenge in achieving this is the development of highly robust grippers that combine strength, dexterity, and high fidelity tactile sensing in compact packages.

We’re looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to contribute to the design and development of Atlas’s grippers. You’ll work on novel mechanisms and assemblies—balancing dexterity, force capability, manufacturability, and durability—while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver hardware that directly impacts Atlas’s ability to interact with the world.

Responsibilities

  • Contribute to the design of key gripper subsystems, from early concepts through to production-ready hardware.

  • Develop and analyze mechanisms that balance dexterity, payload, and reliability under demanding use cases.

  • Apply engineering fundamentals across materials, tribology, thermals, and tolerance stack-ups to achieve robust, repeatable performance.

  • Use CAD (3DX/Catia) and analysis tools to model, simulate, and validate designs.

  • Collaborate with electrical, controls, and manufacturing engineers to ensure clean integration and testability.

  • Support prototyping, bring-up, and issue resolution throughout the product lifecycle.

You’re a good fit if you:

  • Have strong fundamentals in mechanics, dynamics, and materials, with a track record of building precision mechanisms. 

  • Are fluent in CAD and comfortable managing complex assemblies with tight packaging and motion constraints. 

  • Have experience with precision actuation hardware—such as tendon- or gear-driven systems, elastomeric contacts, or compliant joints. 

  • Are confident balancing competing requirements of performance, manufacturability, and reliability. 

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience, or an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

  • Experience designing and delivering hardware from concept through validation.

  • Demonstrated ability to take ownership of mechanical designs in multidisciplinary projects.

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Aplyr's read

Boston Dynamics is a pioneering robotics firm pushing the boundaries of robotic mobility and manipulation with a team of innovative engineers and scientists.

Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

  • Boston Dynamics is at the forefront of robotics innovation, creating cutting-edge robots like Spot and Atlas.
  • The company offers diverse roles, from engineering to marketing, reflecting its multifaceted approach to robotics.
  • Boston Dynamics is backed by Hyundai Motor Group, providing financial stability and strategic collaboration opportunities.

What to watch

  • The niche focus on advanced robotics may limit opportunities for those outside engineering and technical fields.
  • High competition in the robotics sector could impact Boston Dynamics' market share and growth.
  • The company's products are often expensive, potentially restricting market penetration and adoption.

Why Boston Dynamics

  • Boston Dynamics' robots are renowned for their mobility and dexterity, setting them apart from competitors.
  • The company has a strong focus on research and development, driving continuous innovation.
  • Boston Dynamics combines robotics with AI, enhancing the functionality and adaptability of its products.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

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About Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics is an engineering and robotics company known for developing advanced robots that can navigate complex environments and perform a variety of tasks.

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