Engineering Technician, Actuators

OpenAI•San Francisco, CA

4d•$225,000 - $318,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking Engineering Technicians to support the assembly, testing, and prototyping of custom electromechanical actuators for advanced robotic systems. You will build and test hardware from engineering drawings and procedures through inspection, troubleshooting, and rework, partnering closely with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and test engineers. These roles focus on hands-on work with precision electromechanical hardware, including stator prototypes, motor and actuator assemblies, and mechanical and electrical testing. You will help turn engineering designs into validated hardware while improving build records, work instructions, and repeatable assembly and test practices for future robotic platforms. This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires in-person presence 5 days a week.

Requirements

Hands-on experience building or testing mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical hardware in a lab, prototype shop, or manufacturing environment.
Can work from drawings, bills of materials, wiring diagrams, and procedures, and recognize when the instructions and hardware do not agree.
Use hand tools, torque tools, and measurement equipment carefully, with consistent workmanship and attention to units and acceptance limits.
Troubleshoot methodically, document observations, and know when to pause work and ask for engineering support.
Take ownership of build quality and records while adapting to changing designs and priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience relevant to the selected specialty may include: Building or testing actuators, motors, robotics hardware, servos, or other precision electromechanical systems.
Motor manufacturing, especially stator assembly, winding, insulation, termination, bonding, impregnation, or inspection.
Soldering, crimping, connector assembly, harness routing, adhesives, or fixture-assisted assembly.
Mechanical or electrical test setup, instrument checks, measurement capture, and documenting unexpected results.
Inspection, traceability, nonconformance handling, and structured rework.
Hands-on rework, basic machining, or prototype part modification using shop tools.
Use of calipers, micrometers, multimeters, LCR meters, insulation-resistance testers, or torque tools.
Improving prototype or manufacturing work instructions and build processes.

Responsibilities

Assemble subassemblies and complete actuators from drawings, bills of materials, and work instructions, checking fit, orientation, torque, routing, and workmanship.
Set up and run established mechanical and electrical tests, confirm the setup against the procedure, record measurements, and identify unexpected results.
Support winding, insulation, termination, bonding, inspection, and rework using the selected build process and documented instructions.
Troubleshoot build and test issues with engineers. Isolate problems through inspection and measurement, escalate deviations, and verify the result after approved rework.
Maintain accurate build and test records, part and revision traceability, inspection results, and rework history.
Use bench observations to improve work instructions, fixtures, tooling, and parts organization as prototypes evolve.
Follow safety, ESD, cleanliness, and quality practices, and communicate material shortages, unclear instructions, and other blockers as priorities change.