OpenAI
Technology
MechanicalEngineer,SoftGoodsDesign
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.
“Mechanical Engineer, Soft Goods Design at OpenAI. Skills: Robotics, Soft goods design, Material science. Lead engineering of flexible components. Lead characterization of flexible components”
Industry & Context.
Root cause analysis
In-person presence 4 days/week
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Mechanical engineering degree, Experience with elastomers, Experience with foams, Experience with textiles, Experience with flexible composites
Nice to Have
Degree in mechanical engineering, Experience with A-surface development, Experience with cosmetic component development, Experience integrating soft components, Experience integrating compliant components, Familiarity with environmental testing, Familiarity with durability testing, Experience working with contract manufacturers, Experience working with specialty fabricators, Familiarity with material characterization, Experience transitioning prototypes to production
What You'll Do.
Lead engineering of flexible components
Lead characterization of flexible components
Lead productionization of flexible components
Integrate compliant materials into subsystems
Integrate flexible materials into subsystems
Integrate materials with rigid hardware
Integrate materials with sensor interfaces
Integrate materials with actuator interfaces
Characterize material behavior under loads
Develop test methods for components
Develop validation protocols for components
Evaluate durability of soft components
Evaluate performance of soft components
Evaluate failure modes of soft components
Transition prototypes into manufacturable designs
Work with contract manufacturers on fabrication
Analyze system-level tradeoffs
Document material specifications
Document mechanical performance
Investigate field failures
Iterate designs based on wear patterns
Iterate designs based on performance degradation
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Cross-functional teams; Supply chain partners; Specialty fabricators; Contract manufacturers
Process & Methodology
Prototyping, Production
Full Job Description
About the Team Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world settings. Working across the entire model stack, we integrate cutting-edge hardware and software to explore a broad range of robotic form factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples’ lives. About the Role We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to lead the engineering, characterization, and productionization of flexible and compliant components in robotic platforms. You will partner closely with cross-functional teams to translate material concepts into engineered subsystems that meet functional, durability, and manufacturing requirements. This role focuses on understanding how soft materials behave in dynamic mechanical systems — including fatigue, creep, hysteresis, wear, and environmental degradation — and designing assemblies that perform consistently at scale. You will work with materials such as elastomers, foams, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), engineered fabrics, knitted and woven textiles, cables, and other flexible load-bearing or transmission elements, integrating them with rigid hardware, sensors, and actuators using fabrication methods such as bonding, molding, lamination, and sewn assemblies. This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires in-person presence 4 days a week. In this role, you will - Design and integrate compliant or flexible materials into mechanical subsystems and rigid hardware interfaces. - Leverage FEA tools to characterize material behavior under operational loads, including tension, compression, abrasion, fatigue, and environmental exposure. - Develop test methods and validation protocols to evaluate durability, performance, and failure modes of soft components. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transition early prototypes into manufacturable designs. - Source and evaluate materials in co
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