Mechatronics Engineer - Surgical Robotics

About the Role

We are building a surgical robotics platform from the ground up a clean-sheet system spanning mechanical design, embedded electronics, motion control, and safety-critical software. This is a rare opportunity to shape core architecture decisions (kinematics, actuation strategy, sensing, and control) that will define the platform for years to come, working in an FDA-regulated, safety-critical environment where your engineering directly impacts patient outcomes.

As a Mechatronics Engineer, you'll be a hands-on contributor building core subsystems of our surgical robot — from early concept and prototyping through verification and design transfer. You'll work closely with senior engineers on architecture while owning specific subsystems end-to-end.

What You'll Do

• Design and develop mechatronic subsystems for a surgical robot — spanning mechanical linkages/manipulators, actuation (motors, gearing, drivetrains), sensing (encoders, force/torque, proximity), and low-level embedded control.
• Work across the full stack: mechanical CAD and tolerance analysis, electrical/motor drive integration, firmware/controls, and system-level integration and test.
• Build and test prototypes — breadboards, bench rigs, and integrated subsystem demonstrators — to validate design concepts against clinical and performance requirements.
• Develop and tune control algorithms (PID, feedforward, impedance/admittance control, haptic feedback loops) for precise, safe manipulator motion.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and human factors engineers, plus clinical/surgeon stakeholders, to translate procedural requirements into engineering specifications.
• Support design verification and validation (V&V) activities, including test protocol development, execution, and documentation under design controls.
• Contribute to risk analysis (FMEA), design reviews, and technical documentation in accordance with medical device quality systems (ISO 13485, IEC 60601, IEC 62304 as applicable).
• Debug and resolve issues across hardware/software/firmware boundaries during integration and system testing.
• Take ownership of individual mechatronic subsystems (e.g., an instrument drive unit, joint module, or end-effector actuation stage) from requirements through prototype and test.
• Participate in design reviews and iterate quickly based on bench data and test results.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience across mechanical design (CAD, GD&T, tolerance stack-up), electrical/electronics integration, and embedded controls — true cross-disciplinary mechatronics, not a single specialty.
• Experience with motor selection, sizing, and drive integration (BLDC, stepper, or servo systems) and associated feedback devices (encoders, resolvers).
• Proficiency with control theory fundamentals and practical tuning (PID, state-space, or model-based control) in a real-time embedded environment.
• Working knowledge of C/C++ for embedded firmware; familiarity with Python or MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Experience with lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, DAQ, dynamometers) for subsystem characterization and debugging.
• Strong understanding of tolerances, materials, and manufacturing processes (machining, injection molding, sheet metal) relevant to precision mechanisms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document designs clearly for cross-functional and regulatory audiences.
• 4–8 years of professional experience in mechatronics, robotics, or a closely related discipline, ideally including at least one full product development cycle.