Founding Mechanical Engineer

Company Overview

Verne Robotics is building intelligent robotic arms that can learn new skills in hours, not months. Backed by Y Combinator and top-tier Silicon Valley investors, we’re turning “physical AI” into reality — helping industries facing acute labor shortages automate back-of-house tasks like packaging, kitting, and folding.

Our team brings experience from Apple, Stanford, and Microsoft, with deep expertise in robotics, embodied AI, and large-scale machine learning. We’re scaling fast, and looking for a hands-on mechanical engineer to help design the next generation of our robotic hardware.

Role Description

As our Founding Mechanical Engineer, you’ll own the mechanical design of Verne’s robotic systems from day one. You’ll rapidly prototype, iterate, and validate hardware solutions — from CAD modeling to 3D printing, CNC machining, and integration with motors and actuators. You’ll design leader arms for robot remote teleoperation and create specialized hardware for sensors, end effectors, and custom integrations. Your work will directly shape the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of our robotic arms deployed in customer environments.

This is a unique opportunity to join a venture-backed robotics startup at the ground floor, working alongside the founding team to build world-class robots that scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Rapidly design and iterate on mechanical systems in CAD.

• Prototype with 3D printing, machining, and basic CNC workflows.

• Integrate mechanical designs that will interact with brushless DC motors, actuators, and sensors.

• Estimate payloads, forces, and material strength to ensure robust performance.

• Collaborate with electrical and software engineers to bring full robotic systems to life.

• Transition designs from prototypes to production-ready hardware.

Qualifications

• Minimum: BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

• Internship or 1+ year of relevant work experience preferred.

• Strong CAD skills (you can design and iterate very quickly).

• Hands-on experience with 3D printing, basic machining, and CNC tools.

• Solid grasp of mechanical design fundamentals (payload, stress, tolerance, etc.).

• Familiarity with motors, actuators, and robotics hardware.

• Startup mindset: able to move fast, own projects end-to-end, and thrive in ambiguity.

• Bonus: prior experience in robotics hardware design.

Why Join Us

At Verne Robotics, you won’t be another cog in the machine — you’ll be designing the machine itself. As a founding team member, your impact will be immediate and visible in the robots we deliver to customers. If you’re excited about building hardware fast, working across disciplines, and pushing the boundaries of physical AI, we’d love to talk.