[Hiring] Robotics Mechanical Systems Engineer @Ford

Role Description

Design and develop mechanical systems for mobile manipulators, humanoid form factors, and quadruped platforms, ensuring consistency and modularity across product lines.

• Collaborate with global engineering teams across different time zones to coordinate mechanical design efforts and ensure seamless integration with software and electrical systems.
• Perform kinematic and dynamic analysis of robotic systems to optimize motion characteristics, workspace, and force/torque requirements across varying robot configurations.
• Design and integrate servo systems including motor selection, gearbox specification, and feedback sensor integration for precise motion control in different form factors.
• Develop custom servo modules with consideration for reusability across multiple robot platforms.
• Create detailed CAD models, engineering drawings, and technical documentation that can be easily shared and understood by international team members.
• Conduct FEA and multibody dynamics simulations to validate designs, sharing results and insights with the global team.
• Lead and participate in virtual design reviews with team members across multiple locations and time zones.
• Coordinate with software engineers to ensure mechanical designs support simulation and control requirements.
• Support manufacturing and assembly processes in various global locations, creating clear work instructions and providing remote troubleshooting support.
• Establish mechanical design standards and best practices that can be applied across all robot platforms in the portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 4+ years of experience in mechanical design of robotic or other complex systems such as automotive, with exposure to at least one of: mobile manipulation, humanoid robotics, or legged locomotion systems.
• Strong theoretical foundation in robot kinematics and dynamics applicable to diverse robot morphologies.
• Proven experience with servo system integration, including motor sizing, gear ratio optimization, and control system requirements.
• Hands-on experience designing servo modules that can be adapted for different robot configurations.
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or similar) with experience in collaborative CAD workflows and version control.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a globally distributed team environment.
• Experience with asynchronous collaboration tools and documentation practices for international teams.
• Flexibility to occasionally accommodate meetings across different time zones.
• Understanding of how mechanical design decisions impact software control strategies and simulation fidelity.
• Experience working on multiple robot form factors (manipulators, bipedal, quadrupedal) within the same organization.
• Knowledge of modular design principles for creating reusable mechanical subsystems.
• Understanding of how to design hardware that facilitates sim-to-real transfer.
• Experience with collaborative robot (cobot) design and safety standards across different robot types.
• Background in designing common actuator modules that can be used across different robot joints and platforms.
• Knowledge of scalable manufacturing strategies for robot families.
• Experience coordinating with contract manufacturers and suppliers globally.
• Proficiency in creating technical documentation for multicultural audiences.
• Understanding of compliance and certification requirements in multiple international markets.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more.
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.