Senior Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer — Humanoid Robot Factory

About Us: Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage. Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries. We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count. We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work. Our Culture: We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here: https://foundation.bot/culture. Who should join:

• You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
• You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
• You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
• You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it.
• You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

We are building the manufacturing system that will scale humanoid robots into the real world. This role exists to turn engineering intent into production reality — fast. You will design, build, and launch manufacturing systems that take complex electromechanical products from prototype to repeatable, scalable production. This is not a maintenance role. This is a factory-building role. We are looking for someone who has already lived through high-pressure manufacturing ramps — ideally in EV drive unit, battery module, or battery pack production — and understands what it takes to deliver when timelines are aggressive and ambiguity is high. What You Will Own:

Factory & Production System Architecture

• Own end-to-end design of humanoid robot manufacturing lines and production cells.
• Build scalable manufacturing systems designed for aggressive robot-per-day ramp targets.
• Define factory layout, material flow, line balance, takt time, and staffing strategy.
• Make practical engineering tradeoffs between automation, flexibility, and speed.

Automation & Tooling

• Architect and deploy automated and semi-automated assembly lines.
• Design production tooling, fixtures, and error-proofing systems that work reliably on real factory floors.
• Drive automation decisions based on throughput and stability — not automation for its own sake.
• Lead vendor integration and line bring-up with strong execution ownership.

Drive Unit & Battery Manufacturing Expertise

• Apply hands-on experience from EV drive unit, battery module, or battery pack manufacturing.
• Build robust assembly processes for actuators, power systems, and electromechanical subsystems.
• Lead pilot builds, process validation, and production launch.
• Drive aggressive improvements in yield, cycle time, and line stability.

Assembly & End-of-Line Validation

• Design assembly line architecture from subassembly through final robot integration.
• Build end-of-line testing systems validating mechanical, electrical, and functional performance.
• Ensure traceability and data feedback loops that drive rapid problem solving.
• Design test systems that help engineering move faster — not slower.Execution & Technical Leadership

• Push DFM/DFA decisions early and aggressively.
• Lead PFMEA and production readiness with a bias toward action.
• Solve problems directly on the line when needed.
• Raise execution standards across engineering and manufacturing teams.Required Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years building and launching manufacturing systems in advanced hardware environments.
• Proven track record bringing lines from concept → pilot → production ramp.
• Deep hands-on experience with:
  • EV drive unit manufacturing
  • Battery module or battery pack manufacturing
  • Automated assembly and production tooling
• Strong experience with assembly line design, takt planning, and manufacturing scaling.
• Experience designing and deploying end-of-line testing systems.
• Comfortable working directly on the factory floor to resolve issues.

Preferred Background

• Robotics or humanoid manufacturing experience.
• Startup or high-growth production environments.
• Automation integration, industrial robotics, and controls exposure.
• Experience scaling complex electromechanical systems under aggressive timelines.

Who Thrives Here

• Builders who execute fast and own outcomes.
• Engineers who prefer solving problems over discussing them.
• People comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration.
• Hands-on leaders who lead by doing.
• Individuals who take responsibility beyond their job description.

What Success Looks Like

• Manufacturing lines running stable under aggressive schedules.
• Throughput and yield improving continuously during ramp.
• Automation deployed where it creates real leverage.
• Factory systems capable of scaling humanoid production rapidly.
• Problems solved at the source, not passed downstream.

Benefits: We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.   Salary: The annual compensation is expected to be between $155,000 - $185,000+. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.