Director of Mechanical Engineering

Since its founding in 2015, 1X has been at the forefront of developing advanced humanoid robots designed for household use. Our mission is to create an abundant supply of labor via safe, intelligent humanoids. 

We strive for excellence in all we do, solving some of the hardest problems in robotics with the world’s most talented individuals. Every part of our robots is designed and produced in-house—from motor coils to AI—reflecting our vertically integrated approach. At 1X, you’ll own real projects, be recognized for your achievements, and rewarded based on merit.

We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations. 

As we transition from R&D to scalable manufacturing, we are looking for a Director of Mechanical Engineering to lead the development of our humanoid robot’s mechanical systems. This is not a pure management role, we’re looking for a world-class mechanical engineer who still wants to design, build, and debug, while also attracting, mentoring, and scaling a high-performance team.

You will own mechanical design across the product, from joint actuation and structural design to thermal, packaging, and reliability. You’ll work closely with electrical, manufacturing, and product teams to ensure we ship a robust, manufacturable, and elegant system.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the technical lead and primary contributor on key mechanical systems, from architecture through detailed design, prototyping, validation, and production

• Drive system-level mechanical design across actuators, linkages, enclosures, structures, and thermal components

• Own key decisions around materials, DFM, durability, serviceability, and cost

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing mechanical engineering team, setting a high technical bar and pragmatic execution culture

• Collaborate tightly with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration and system reliability

• Set direction on tools, processes, documentation, and quality standards to ensure velocity and repeatability as we scale

• Balance immediate technical execution with long-term architecture, roadmap planning, and hiring strategy

• Roll up sleeves constantly—this is a hands-on role where you’ll be in the CAD, in the lab, and in the reviews

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering roles, with deep ownership over complex electromechanical products

• Demonstrated ability to ship high-performance hardware under fast timelines and resource constraints

• Expert in at least one core area (e.g. actuator design, structural design, thermal management, precision mechanisms) with breadth across the stack

• Mastery of CAD and simulation tools, with a bias toward prototyping and rapid iteration

• Proven track record as a top individual contributor with strong instincts for simplification and reliability

• Experience hiring, mentoring, and leading small- to mid-sized technical teams

• Clear communicator with strong cross-functional instincts

• Startup mindset, hands-on, no ego, bias to action, and able to zoom between detail and strategy

Location

We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations.

We are a value driven team
These are the ideas that express our team’s culture and how we work:

Be Nice

Collaboration is our driving force. Our team creates an open, trusting environment where everyone can be their most creative.

Stay Smart

A world-changing team needs the brightest minds in every discipline. This is where people come to work, learn, and grow to their full potential.

Make History

Everything we do gets us closer to one ambitious vision: Creating an Abundant Supply of Labor using Safe, Intelligent Humanoids. We believe what we build today will impact generations.

We're excited to get to know you and the prospects of having you on board!