Senior Mechanical Engineer, Robotic Hands
Your mission & challenges
Lead the mechanical design and development of robotic hands and their subsystems, from prototype to series production
Take technical ownership of mechanical designs, ensuring design maturity and readiness for production release
Develop and maintain CAD models, technical drawings, product structures, bills of materials, and assembly documentation
Own Product Data Management (PDM) processes, including part numbering, CAD structures, engineering changes, and release workflows
Conduct mechanical design reviews, tolerance stack-up analyses, and GD&T assessments
Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), including the transition from CNC-machined components to injection-molded parts
Support the development and optimization of compact precision mechanisms, actuators, and robotic hand assemblies
Coordinate manufacturing transfer and production ramp-up activities with suppliers and production teams in Germany and China
Lead mechanical failure analysis, root cause investigations, and design improvements to enhance product reliability and durability
Define mechanical acceptance criteria for incoming inspections, end-of-line testing, and product validation
Support prototype builds, endurance testing, supplier qualification, and manufacturing process optimization
Drive design for serviceability, maintenance, and spare parts definition
Collaborate across mechanical, electronics, manufacturing, quality, and sourcing teams to resolve technical challenges
Mentor junior engineers and students, contributing to engineering best practices and continuous improvement
What we can look forward to
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a comparable field
8+ years of experience in mechanical or electromechanical product development, including taking at least one product into series production
Strong expertise in designing compact precision mechanisms, including gears, linkages, bearings, springs, and small electric drives
Proven experience developing production-ready mechanical systems and managing design releases
Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, particularly CNC machining, injection molding, tooling, and precision assembly
Strong knowledge of tolerance analysis, GD&T, and engineering drawing standards (ISO GPS or ASME Y14.5)
Proficiency in Creo or SolidWorks, with hands-on experience managing product structures and release workflows in Windchill, SolidWorks PDM, or similar systems
Experience conducting production release reviews and coordinating with manufacturing suppliers
Familiarity with structured root cause analysis and quality methodologies such as 8D and FMEA
Experience transferring mechanical designs into production with external or international manufacturing partners
Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary and international teams
Fluent English; German language skills are a strong advantage
Valid Class B driving licence and willingness to travel between company locations and international production sites
Nice to Have
Experience developing robotic hands, grippers, prosthetics, exoskeletons, or other dexterous robotic mechanisms
Knowledge of tendon-driven mechanisms, series elastic actuators, capstan drives, and worm gear systems
Experience with ball joints, orbital forming, or other specialized manufacturing techniques for compact mechanisms
Experience creating assembly instructions and supporting manual production lines
Familiarity with Chinese contract manufacturers and international supplier management
Experience integrating sensors, textiles, or flexible components into mechanical structures
Previous technical leadership or mentoring experience within robotics or precision electromechanical product development