Mechanical Engineer

About LightSpeed LightSpeed Build Technologies is revolutionizing the construction industry through AI-powered robotics. Our flagship systems—BRUTE for automated wall panel manufacturing and DEX for on-site collaborative construction—are addressing the global housing crisis by delivering unprecedented speed, precision, and affordability in homebuilding. Reports to: Lead Hardware & Robotics Engineer Position Overview As a Mechanical Engineer, you will create the mechanical designs, CAD models, and engineering documentation that bring LightSpeed’s robotic systems from concept to production reality. You will work at the intersection of industrial design, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing, producing detailed assemblies, fabrication drawings, and design packages for our BRUTE and DEX robotic platforms, custom end effectors, fixtures, and automated manufacturing equipment. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who thinks in 3D and loves turning ideas into buildable, manufacturable hardware. You will own detailed, production-ready design while also bringing a creative, unconventional approach to the work: questioning how things have always been done, drawing on ideas from outside construction, and finding new solutions to problems no one has solved before. Alongside our construction systems, you’ll design end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) and integrate a dexterous robotic hand, taking hardware from interface spec and mock-up through detailed design, build, and bench test on a fast, milestone-driven schedule, working closely with our robot learning, perception, and technician teams. Key Responsibilities EOAT & Robotic Hand Development Define mechanical interface specs for end-of-arm tooling, including robot mounting, tool changers, cable and hose routing, and sensor and camera mountsBuild fast mock-ups (3D printed or roughly fabricated) to check fit, reach, clearance, and camera placement before detailed designTake EOAT designs from mock-up to frozen detailed design, then through build, assembly, and bench testingSupport procurement and bench bring-up of a third-party dexterous robotic hand, including mounting, mechanical integration, and protection for real-world useDesign rigid, repeatable camera and sensor mounts in partnership with the perception engineer, so camera placement and calibration hold up on new toolsDesign and refine hardware for the teleoperation rig, such as leader-arm fixtures, mounts, and operator station componentsWrite bench test plans, record results, and iterate quickly based on what the hardware showsDesign tooling for maintainability and fast swaps of wear parts, fingertips, and sensors CAD Design & Modeling Create detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies for robotic systems and manufacturing equipment in OnshapeDevelop parametric models enabling rapid iteration for different deployment configurationsProduce production-ready engineering drawings with complete GD&T, tolerances, and material specsDesign custom end effectors, grippers, fixtures, and tooling for automated construction tasksMaintain organized CAD libraries, part numbering systems, and revision control, using Onshape’s branching, versioning, and release management workflows Design for Manufacturing Design components optimized for CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and 3D printingDevelop BOMs, assembly instructions, and manufacturing documentation packagesCollaborate with machinists, fabricators, and contract manufacturers on feasibility and costSupport CAD-to-CAM workflows for in-house and outsourced fabrication Engineering Analysis & Validation Perform FEA and structural analysis to validate designs under operational loadsConduct tolerance stack-up analysis for precision mechanical assembliesSupport physical prototype testing and iterate based on real-world performanceResearch and specify materials, fasteners, bearings, linear guides, and commercial components BIM & Construction Integration Work with BIM models and construction drawings to understand panel designs and building requirementsTranslate construction specifications into mechanical design requirements for robotic systemsSupport integration between CAD workflows and BIM-to-manufacturing data pipelines Creative Problem Solving Challenge conventional approaches by questioning requirements and assumptions before jumping to a solutionGenerate unconventional concepts for mechanisms, end effectors, and system architectures, drawing inspiration from other industries and technologiesRapidly prototype and test bold ideas, treating early failures as fast learning rather than setbacksProvide early-stage design input to cross-functional teams on feasibility, alternatives, and trade-offsContribute fresh ideas and alternative approaches during design reviewsStay current on robotics, automation, and construction-tech trends, and bring relevant ideas back to the team Required Qualifications CAD & Design Skills 3+ years professional mechanical design using parametric CAD toolsAdvanced proficiency in Onshape, or deep expertise in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or Inventor with the ability to transition to Onshape quicklyStrong understanding of GD&T and engineering drawing standardsExperience producing complete manufacturing documentation: drawings, BOMs, assembly proceduresPortfolio demonstrating design for manufacturability and engineering judgment, as well as original concept development, including examples of solving a problem in an unexpected way Manufacturing Knowledge Hands-on understanding of CNC machining, sheet metal, welding, and 3D printingExperience specifying materials and commercial hardware for assembliesUnderstanding of tolerance analysis and fit systems for precision assembliesFamiliarity with rapid prototyping and iterative design processes Robotics Hardware Experience Experience designing end effectors, grippers, or tooling for industrial or collaborative robot armsHands-on experience building, assembling, and bench testing electromechanical assembliesAbility to hit fixed hardware milestones by making practical trade-offs between speed and polish Preferred Qualifications Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, or related fieldExperience designing robotic systems, automated equipment, or industrial machineryExperience integrating third-party robotic hands, grippers, actuators, or tool changersExperience mounting cameras and sensors for robotic vision systemsFamiliarity with robot tool flange standards (e.g., ISO 9409) and quick-change toolingExposure to teleoperation systems or data collection for robot learningExperience designing tooling for tight, hard-to-reach work spacesBackground in construction, prefabrication, or building component designFEA experience with SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or equivalentExperience with sheet metal design and weldment features in CADFamiliarity with BIM software (Revit, ArchiCAD) and construction documentationStartup or fast-paced product development environment experienceExperience across multiple industries, or a background that brings an outside perspective to construction Why Join LightSpeed See your designs become physical robots that build homes and address the housing crisisFull access to machine shop, prototyping equipment, and cutting-edge CAD/CAM toolsHands-on engineering culture where designers build, test, and iterate alongside the teamRoom to pitch and test bold ideas in a hands-on environmentCompetitive compensation and comprehensive benefits Employment Relationship This position is at-will, meaning either you or the Company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice. Equal Opportunity LightSpeed Build Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences. Compensation Range: $80K - $100K