Senior Mechanical Engineer

Position Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer - Robotic Platforms

Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Mechanical Engineer - Robotic Platforms located in South San Francisco, CA.

Job Description:

• Our client is seeking a seasoned Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical integration programs, mating robotic arms and heavy payloads to 10,000 lb skid-steer and tracked vehicle platforms.
• You will own the full program lifecycle taking systems from prototype to repeatable field deployment, driving hard trade-offs on structure, mounting, sealing, thermal management, and serviceability.
• You will work directly with cross-functional teams, machine shops, and field crews to architect systems that survive continuous outdoor duty cycles in harsh environments.

Job Responsibilities:

• Mechanical Integration Leadership: Lead mechanical integration programs that mate robotic arms and payloads to heavy mobile base platforms (skid-steers and tracked vehicles)—owning structural mounting, load paths, power/data routing, and service access.
• Heavy-Duty Component Design: Architect and specify heavy-duty mechanical systems, mounts, brackets, enclosures, actuators, and end-effectors built for continuous outdoor construction duty cycles.
• Platform Reconfigurability: Architect platforms for reconfigurability to adapt seamlessly across construction tasks (PV, rebar, block work) without rebuilding from scratch.
• Environmental & Thermal Strategy: Own the complete environmental strategy including IP67-rated enclosures, gasketing, connector selection, and thermal management across roughly -20°F to 120°F+.
• Cabling & Harness Engineering: Oversee the design, routing, and validation of complex wire harnesses and cable assemblies, ensuring buildable documentation for contract manufacturers.
• Sensor & Lighting Integration: Lead the integration of perception and lighting packages (cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, work lights) with meticulous attention to field-of-view, vibration isolation, and cleanability.
• Design for Excellence & Validation: Drive DFM, DFA, and DFS from initial CAD reviews, run advanced structural analysis (FEA and hand calcs), and own full validation plans (vibration, shock, thermal, ingress, EMI).
• Vendor & Supplier Management: Manage primary relationships with machine shops, sheet metal vendors, and harness houses; release drawings, manage ECOs, and enforce strict quality specs.
• Field Testing: Travel to field sites (approx. 15–25%) to diagnose complex failures, instrument systems, and carry learnings directly into major hardware revisions.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of mechanical engineering experience, with meaningful time at a robotics, autonomous systems, or heavy equipment company that successfully scaled real hardware into the field.
• Expert CAD proficiency in modern tools (such as OnShape or SolidWorks), advanced GD&T, tolerance stack analysis, and production-quality drawing release.
• Extensive direct experience integrating robotic arms, actuators, or heavy payloads onto mobile platforms; proven track record designing to IP67 or stricter; deep expertise in cabling/harness design and structural analysis for heavy systems.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Specific experience with construction equipment, agricultural equipment, mining robotics, or defense ground vehicles.
• Experience designing platforms supporting multiple end-effectors/payloads, background integrating perception stacks, and familiarity with hydraulics, pneumatics, or high-current DC power distribution.

Job Details:

• Job Type: Contract
• Location: South San Francisco, CA (Onsite)
• Pay Rate Range: $70-$85/hr

Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan.

About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.