Mechanical Engineer

Rhoda AI

Rhoda AI

Palo Alto, CA, USA

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

Location

Palo Alto

Employment Type

Full time

Department

Hardware

At Rhoda AI, we're building the full-stack foundation for the next generation of humanoid robots — from high-performance, software-defined hardware to the foundational models and video world models that control it. Our robots are designed to be generalists capable of operating in complex, real-world environments and handling scenarios unseen in training. We work at the intersection of large-scale learning, robotics, and systems, with a research team that includes researchers from Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard, and beyond. We're not building a feature; we're building a new computing platform for physical work — and with over $400M raised, we're investing aggressively in the R&D, hardware development, and manufacturing scale-up to make that a reality.

We're looking for a Junior Mechanical Engineer to help design and refine our Gen 0 robot platform. You'll work on the physical integration of third-party components — rails, cables, fixtures, and other mechanical improvements — with a focus on safety, reliability, and clean system design. You'll also design and iterate on custom end effectors, fingers, and mounts tailored to specific tasks and use cases. This is a hands-on role with real ownership on a small team building hardware from the ground up.

What You'll Do

  • Design and iterate on mechanical components and assemblies for our robot system, including cable management, rail systems, fixtures, and integration hardware

  • Design custom end effectors, fingers, and mounting hardware tailored to specific tasks, and own the rapid prototyping cycle from concept through printed and tested parts

  • Support the integration of third-party components into the full system, ensuring fit, function, and compatibility with existing hardware

  • Identify and implement design improvements for safety, reliability, and manufacturability

  • Create and maintain CAD models, drawings, and BOMs to support design reviews and manufacturing handoffs

  • Participate in QA processes and hardware testing — assembling test setups, collecting data, and documenting results

  • Assist in root cause analysis when hardware issues arise and propose design solutions

  • Collaborate closely with senior mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to ensure designs meet full-system requirements

What We're Looking For

  • BS in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field

  • 0–2 years of experience in mechanical design or hardware engineering (internships and co-ops count)

  • Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape, or similar) for part and assembly design

  • Familiarity with common manufacturing processes — machining, sheet metal, 3D printing — and how they inform design decisions

  • Comfort working hands-on with hardware: assembling components, running tests, and troubleshooting physical systems

  • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow and contribute to engineering documentation practices

  • Eagerness to learn in a fast-moving environment and collaborate across disciplines

Nice to Have (But Not Required)

  • Experience designing end effectors, grippers, or task-specific tooling for robotic or automation systems

  • Hands-on experience with FDM or SLA 3D printing — including material selection, print settings, and post-processing for functional parts

  • Experience with cable routing, harness design, or electromechanical integration

  • Exposure to robotics, automation, or other complex mechatronic systems

  • Familiarity with GD&T and engineering drawing standards

  • Experience participating in design reviews, FMEA, or structured QA processes

Why This Role

  • Get hands-on with Gen 0 hardware from day one — you'll be designing, prototyping, and testing real components on a humanoid robot platform, not running simulations

  • Grow fast on a small team where junior engineers get real ownership and direct mentorship from experienced mechanical and systems engineers

  • Join at a foundational moment and contribute directly to the physical architecture of a next-generation humanoid robot