The Mechanical Engineering Manager, Compute & Sensing leads a team of mechanical engineers in the design, development, and validation of mechanical systems for robotic computer and sensor subsystems. This role manages technical execution, team performance, and project delivery within the mechanical function. The manager ensures high engineering standards, promotes cross-functional collaboration, and supports both strategic planning and day-to-day development activities. This position balances team leadership with technical oversight, contributing to the development of robust, reliable, scalable, and affordable robotic computer and sensor systems.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage a team of mechanical engineers responsible for delivering high-quality mechanical designs across robotics programs, specifically for computer architectures and sensor systems such as force, touch/haptics, vision, and microphone arrays.
Provide technical direction and oversight on mechanical architecture, design reviews, analyses (e.g., nonlinear FEA, thermal simulation, dynamic modeling), and validation strategies for sensor systems.
Manage project schedules, resource allocation, and risk mitigation for mechanical development activities related to compute and sensing.
Collaborate with cross-functional peers in electrical, software, manufacturing, systems, and program management to ensure integrated product delivery of comprehensive sensor solutions.
Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and engineering excellence within the team, particularly in the field of robotic sensors.
Conduct performance reviews, coach engineers on career development, and drive hiring and onboarding of new talent within the mechanical engineering discipline focused on sensing.
Champion organizational processes for design documentation, compliance, safety, and quality for sensor and compute hardware designs, including DFM/DFA best practices.
Contribute to long-term planning, roadmap development, and functional strategy within the engineering organization for sensor development.
Core Competencies:
Execution: Analyzes and prioritizes the varying aspects of the role, knows and/or follows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, and consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.
Collaboration: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives through effective communication that understands the unique needs of different audiences.
Innovation: Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful, anticipates and adopts innovations in business, operations, and technology applications.
Adaptability: Adapts and pivots in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations, and moves forward productively and optimistically under conditions of change and ambiguity.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strong technical background in mechanical design, analysis, and integration for robotics or complex electromechanical systems, including high-precision mechanisms, packaging of electronics, and integration of various sensor modalities.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and deliver results through others, specifically in the context of product development for sensor systems.
Proficiency with mechanical CAD, simulation tools (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, Simulia, ANSYS, MATLAB/Simulink), and product development methodologies.
Experience with cross-functional engineering collaboration, DFM/DFA, and supplier integration, particularly for sensor and compute hardware designs.
Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills; able to influence decision-making at the technical and organizational level.
Skilled at mentoring, coaching, and developing engineering talent across the mechanical engineering discipline, fostering technical growth in the field of robotic sensors.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, iterative development environment with shifting priorities.
Previous experience using sensing systems at an expert level is a plus.
Previous experience designing computer hardware or sensor systems is a strong plus.
Typical Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field required; Master’s preferred.
Typically requires 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with at least 2–4 years in technical leadership or people management roles, including extensive work in robotics, automation, or high-performance electromechanical systems.
Proven track record of delivering mechanical systems in robotics, automation, or similar industries, with a focus on sensor and compute hardware.
Experience managing cross-functional technical teams, schedules, and resource planning for major product development initiatives.
Prior experience with performance management and organizational development.