Mechanical Engineer, Sensing

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of AI system capabilities and deploy them safely through our products. We believe AI is a powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, embracing diverse perspectives to achieve our mission.

Introduction

Our Robotics team at OpenAI is focused on advancing general-purpose robotics towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world environments. We integrate advanced hardware and software across the entire model stack to explore diverse robotic form factors. Our goal is to blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve human lives. This role requires in-person presence 4 days a week in San Francisco, CA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and iteration of mechanical subsystems, including tactile sensors, load cells, force torque sensors, and joint encoders.
• Create and maintain CAD models, assemblies, and drawings with appropriate tolerancing and documentation.
• Build and test prototypes, and debug mechanical issues like fit, alignment, friction, and wear.
• Assist in developing test methods and executing validation to evaluate performance, durability, calibration, and failure modes.
• Work with cross-functional teams to integrate mechanical components with sensors, actuators, and control systems.
• Support the transition of designs from prototype to manufacturable assemblies, incorporating Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) considerations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners and internal build teams for assembly, troubleshooting, and process improvement.
• Analyze test results and field data to identify issues and drive iterative design improvements.
• Document designs, test results, and changes to support repeatability and production readiness.
• Support sustaining engineering efforts by investigating failures, tracking issues, and implementing corrective actions.

Requirements

• Strong mechanical intuition and previous experience designing novel mechanical or electrical subsystems for robotic systems.
• Enjoy hands-on work building, testing, and debugging physical systems.
• Comfortable iterating quickly and learning from incomplete or evolving requirements.
• Ability to break down problems and manage details such as tolerances, interfaces, and assembly constraints.
• Proactive in seeking feedback and alignment with cross-functional partners.
• Detail-oriented, valuing clear documentation and repeatability.
• Experience scaling physical products from prototyping through high-volume production.

Nice to Have

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in mechanical design, robotics, or electromechanical systems.
• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as machining, screen printing, lamination, molding, or basic fabrication methods.
• Familiarity with high-volume GD&T, engineering drawings, and tolerancing practices.
• Experience with prototyping, lab work, or hardware bring-up.
• Experience working on multidisciplinary projects involving hardware and software integration.

About Company

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of AI system capabilities and deploy them safely through our products. We believe AI is a powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, embracing diverse perspectives to achieve our mission.

How to Apply

Please apply through the provided link.