Senior Robotics Hardware Engineer - Next Generation Platform (m/f/d)

About the Role at RobCo

RobCo is building the category of Autonomous Industrial Robotics and we're doing it fast. We believe that automating the ordinary frees humans to do the extraordinary, and we're building the end-to-end robotics infrastructure to make that possible - hardware, software, and AI in one stack that just works.

We are now building the next generation of our robotic platform - including new actuator technologies, grippers, and human-to-robot teaching interfaces.

To drive this, we are looking for a Senior Robotics Hardware Engineer who will take end-to-end ownership of key subsystems and help translate high-level product concepts into robust, manufacturable hardware.

This role goes beyond prototyping: you will architect, build, and steer core hardware components of the next RobCo robot in close collaboration with software, autonomy, and external engineering partners.

Your Responsibilities

• Own core robotic subsystems - Take full ownership of the design, development, and validation of critical hardware components of the next-generation robot platform - such as grippers, teaching devices, and actuator modules.

• Design next-generation actuators - Design, prototype, and evaluate new actuator concepts (e.g., QDD-based systems) to replace existing solutions. Balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and robustness.

• Drive product-level mechanical design - Lead the development of robot subsystems from concept to production-ready design, including detailed CAD, tolerancing, and material selection.

• Interface with external engineering partners - Act as the technical liaison with design agencies and DFM partners (e.g., Busse Design), ensuring designs are manufacturable, robust, and aligned with product goals.

• System architecture & integration - Define subsystem architecture and ensure seamless integration with control, perception, and autonomy systems.

• Prototype and validate - Build and test prototypes to validate design assumptions, performance, and reliability - using hands-on lab work when needed.

• Make and drive technical decisions - Own key hardware decisions and represent your subsystem in cross-functional discussions with robotics, controls, and product teams.

• Bridge concept to production - Guide designs through the transition from prototype to manufacturable product, including supplier interaction and iteration based on real-world constraints.

We're looking for someone who has:

• Strong robotics hardware background - Degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or similar, with substantial experience designing electromechanical systems.

• Experience owning complex hardware systems - Proven track record of owning and delivering hardware subsystems or products - from concept through validation (and ideally into production).

• Actuator design experience (strong plus) - Experience with robotic actuators (e.g., BLDC motors, gear systems, QDD, torque sensing, or backdrivable systems), including performance trade-offs and control implications.

• Deep mechanical design expertise - Advanced CAD skills (e.g., SolidWorks), including designing for CNC, tolerancing, and structural/mechanical analysis.

• DFM and supplier experience - Experience working with external partners and preparing designs for manufacturing (DFM, tolerancing, supplier discussions).

• System-level thinking - Strong intuition for how mechanics, electronics, and control systems interact in real robotic systems.

• Hands-on mindset - Comfortable building, testing, and debugging hardware directly when needed.

• Cross-functional collaboration - Ability to work closely with software, autonomy, and product teams and translate requirements into robust hardware solutions.

Why join RobCo?

• Develop modular, software-defined robotics solutions with us that set new standards in automation.

• Help us build robots equipped with state-of-the-art AI that perceive their environment, analyze data, and make intelligent decisions in real time.

• As part of a very dynamic and fast-growing scale-up, you will take on responsibility from day one, drive your own projects, and see the direct impact of your work.

• Flat hierarchies, open communication, and regular 360° feedback enable fast decisions and support your professional and personal development.

• Work out across Germany in over 7,200 studios with our subsidized Wellpass membership.

• Flexible working hours, a modern office, and—depending on the role—the option to work from home.

• Regular team events—from relaxed beer & pizza nights on the rooftop terrace to shared experiences on ski trips or at Oktoberfest.

About RobCo

Founded in Munich in 2020, RobCo leads the transition toward fully Autonomous Industrial Robotics. Our mission is to deploy RobCo in every factory - solving the industrial labor shortage through end-to-end robotics that just works. Powered by Physical AI, our solutions combine a scalable modular hardware architecture with intelligent software that adapts to your use case, improves over time, and requires zero upfront investment through our Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model.

We solve our customers' most pressing pain points - labor shortage, cost pressure, workplace safety, and national reshoring - across the full spectrum of Autonomous Industrial Robotics. With $160M raised from investors including Lightspeed, Lingotto Innovation, and Sequoia, 200+ people globally, and 2.5M+ operating hours in the field, we are deploying robots in factories across Europe and the United States - with our US operations headquartered in Austin, TX, and our RobCo Bay Area Demo Lab in San Francisco.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

At RobCo, applicants are selected regardless of ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. All decisions throughout the recruitment process are based solely on applicants’ qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as relevant business requirements.