Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

About the role

As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Robot Cladding & A-Class Surfaces at Rhoda AI, you will be responsible for the design and integration of the robot's Class-A surfaces, which define its appearance and protect its core. Your work will span the entire product lifecycle, from concept to end-of-life, ensuring that the products are not only functional but also reliable, robust, and well-crafted.

Responsibilities

• Manage the product lifecycle from initial concept and design studio interaction to end-of-life, ensuring feasibility, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
• A-Class Surface Integration: Integrate the cladding subsystem of your ownership, balancing aesthetic, mechanical, cost, and time constraints.
• Systems & Tolerance Management: Define design criteria and lead engineering studies for subsystem compatibility. Perform dimensional stack-up analysis for critical-to-function and aesthetic interfaces.
• Detailed Engineering & DfM: Design complex B-side features (ribbing, bosses, clip towers, hooks) that support performance without compromising A-side aesthetics. Develop robust attachment strategies, including joining features (e.g., snaps, hooks, welds).
• Validation & Prototyping: Coordinate cladding prototype builds, evaluate assembly feasibility during slow builds, and validate components against requirements.
• Technical Documentation: Produce high-fidelity 3D CAD models (CATIA preferred) and 2D engineering drawings with comprehensive GD&T and datum strategies.
• Simulation & Failure Avoidance: Interpret FEA analysis (e.g., structural, Moldflow) to iterate designs. Think at a systems level and apply a failure mode avoidance mentality to ensure long-term reliability.
• Supplier & Cross-Functional Interaction: Partner with Supply Chain and Tier 1/2 suppliers for RFQs and technical feasibility reviews; troubleshoot integration issues during build phases.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Experience: 5+ years of engineering experience, including at least one full-cycle product launch.

Core Fundamentals: Proficiency in design integration to balance material selection, geometry, and structural trade-offs informed by product use cases and functional/engineering requirements.

Technical "Superpower": Deep Knowledge in thin-walled component design and/or high-performance composites (fiber-resin systems).

Engineering Tools: Ability to define datum strategies and tolerances from concept through to Class-A maturation with a deep understanding of GD&T as a driver. Proficiency in CATIA (or equivalent) with the ability to communicate ideas through sections and CAD studies to progress development to production.

The "Owner" Mindset: Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to use first principles thinking to solve technical bottlenecks under tight timelines.

Bonus Points (The "Plus" List): Soft Goods Experience, Advanced Manufacturing, Finishing & Lighting, Dual-Hat Experience.