Mechanical Engineer, AI Data Collection

Cobot
Santa Clara, US
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Geared toward early-career Mechanical Engineers comfortable with electromechanical hardware maintenance and 3D CAD, working in a collaborative startup environment in Santa Clara, CA.

Best fit for

  • Early-career Mechanical Engineers with hands-on experience in electromechanical systems and a passion for robotics innovation.
    — “early-career Mechanical Engineer to keep our robot data collection systems running”
  • Candidates who can balance hardware maintenance with light software and rapid prototyping techniques.
    — “working hands-on across mechanical hardware, cabling, basic electrical, and light software”
  • Individuals who thrive in small, dynamic teams and can take on evolving responsibilities.
    — “this role sits on the core mechanical engineering team, with a path to grow into robot development work”

Things to consider

  • Must be physically present at the Santa Clara headquarters for most of the role.
    — “This role is located onsite at our Santa Clara, CA headquarters.”
  • Occasional travel is expected, which may impact work-life balance.
    — “Willing to occasionally travel.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with 80/20 framing and cable management in your resume and interview responses.
    — “Build, modify, and improve rigs and fixtures using 80/20 framing, machined and printed parts, brackets, mounts, and cable management.”
  • Showcase your ability to diagnose and repair hardware issues quickly in your portfolio or work history.
    — “Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and cabling issues quickly to minimize downtime for the data collection team.”
  • Emphasize your communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
    — “Highly motivated teammate with excellent oral and written communication skills.”
  • Demonstrate familiarity with rapid prototyping tools like 3D printing or laser cutting.
    — “Familiarity with rapid prototyping (3D printing, laser cutting, basic machining).”
  • Include examples of personal robotics projects or competition experience to signal passion.
    — “Demonstrated passion for robotics through personal projects, FIRST or similar competitions, or research work.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • maintaining data collection rigs
  • diagnosing and repairing mechanical issues
  • building and improving rigs
Typical background
mechanical engineeringroboticselectrical engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical EngineeringElectromechanical Hardware3D CADCommunication

Preferred

RoboticsScriptingRapid Prototyping

Stack & domain

3D CADRoboticsTeleoperation SetupsMotion SystemsBasic ScriptingSolderingCrimpingRepairing Cable AssembliesRapid PrototypingCommunicationTeamworkMotivationAdaptabilityProblem-solvingMechanical EngineeringData Collection

About the role

Original posting from Cobot via Ashby

Collaborative Robotics is seeking an early-career Mechanical Engineer to keep our robot data collection systems running. You will own the day-to-day health of our teleoperation and data collection rigs, working hands-on across mechanical hardware, cabling, basic electrical, and light software. This role sits on the core mechanical engineering team, with a path to grow into robot development work across our hardware programs.

Join us to reimagine the future of human-robot interaction.

Collaborative Robotics is a team of innovators and builders redefining the future of human-robot interaction. We are working to realize a world where robots are a trusted extension of your surroundings. They work, adapt, and react around you. Not the other way around.

This role is located onsite at our Santa Clara, CA headquarters.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Keep the data collection rig fleet healthy and running, including teleoperation leader/follower setups, fixtures, and supporting hardware.
  • Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and cabling issues quickly to minimize downtime for the data collection team.
  • Build, modify, and improve rigs and fixtures using 80/20 framing, machined and printed parts, brackets, mounts, and cable management.
  • Track recurring failures and drive improvements back into rig design and spares strategy.
  • Support bring-up of new rigs and workcells as data collection scales.
  • Partner with the data collection program manager and technicians to prioritize repairs and improvements.
  • Take on mechanical design tasks with the core engineering team as you grow, supporting robot development programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • BS in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
  • 1+ years of hands-on experience building or maintaining electromechanical hardware. Internships, research labs, and robotics competition experience count.
  • Comfortable with hand tools, basic electrical troubleshooting, connectors, and cabling.
  • Working proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks or similar).
  • Highly motivated teammate with excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Enjoy working in a fast paced, collaborative and dynamic start-up environment as part of a small team.
  • Highly motivated teammate with excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Willing to occasionally travel.
  • Must have and maintain US work authorization.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated passion for robotics through personal projects, FIRST or similar competitions, or research work.
  • Experience with robot arms, teleoperation setups, or motion systems.
  • Basic scripting ability (Python or similar) for debugging and small tools.
  • Experience soldering, crimping, and repairing cable assemblies.
  • Familiarity with rapid prototyping (3D printing, laser cutting, basic machining).

The annual base salary range for this position is $140,000- $160,000 base plus equity and comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision plans, 401(k) plan, unlimited paid vacation time, paid sick leave, and parental leave. Our salary ranges are determined by role and experience level. The range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in the noted geographic area. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Cobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Source: Cobot careers (Ashby)

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