Hardware Systems Research Engineer
About The Position
1X Labs exists to explore what comes next. We investigate the technologies, mechanisms, architectures, and system concepts that have the potential to fundamentally advance humanoid robotics. The team operates with a bias toward experimentation, building real hardware quickly and evaluating ideas through evidence rather than theory. Our work spans mechanics, electronics, sensing, controls, materials, and system design. We prototype aggressively, test rigorously, and pursue breakthroughs that can ultimately influence future generations of humanoid robots. Your Charter Challenge the state of the art by turning ideas into working systems and subjecting them to rigorous evaluation. You will build, test, and iterate across mechanical, electrical, and software domains to determine what truly advances robotic capability. As a Hardware Systems Research Engineer, your success is measured not by the number of concepts explored, but by the quality of evidence generated. You will rapidly translate ideas into experiments, expose limitations, identify opportunities, and create pathways that can eventually survive real-world product constraints, integration requirements, and manufacturing realities.
Requirements
- Strong hands-on experience developing complex hardware systems through professional work, research, startups, or significant personal projects
- Several years of experience building and testing innovative electromechanical systems
- Demonstrated ability to independently design, fabricate, assemble, and validate physical prototypes
- Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanics, electronics, controls, or embedded systems
- Portfolio of projects demonstrating deep technical ownership and successful execution from concept through validation
- Exceptional hands-on engineering ability across mechanical, electrical, and software systems with 10+ years of experience.
- Strong experimental mindset with a commitment to evidence-driven decision making
- Ability to move quickly from concept to working hardware while maintaining technical rigor
- Deep curiosity and intrinsic motivation to understand how systems behave and why they fail
- High degree of ownership, persistence, and comfort operating in ambiguous research environments
Nice To Haves
- Experience designing and assembling prototype electronics and custom PCBs
- Experience with CAD, machining, fabrication, and rapid mechanical iteration
- Experience writing low-level firmware, controls software, or hardware test infrastructure
- Strong experimental design, data analysis, and system modeling skills
- Exposure to biomechanics, neuroscience, cognitive science, or biologically inspired systems
- Experience developing robotic, actuator, sensing, or advanced electromechanical systems
Responsibilities
- Rapidly prototype and evaluate novel hardware concepts that advance the capabilities of humanoid robotic systems
- Generate trustworthy experimental data that informs technical decisions and eliminates uncertainty around new approaches
- Establish clear performance benchmarks and systematically evaluate concepts against biological, system-level, or product-relevant targets
- Identify and communicate the true limitations, tradeoffs, and scaling challenges of emerging technologies
- Successfully transition promising research concepts into credible paths for product integration and future development programs
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
- 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
- Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
- Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
- Onsite snacks and catered lunches
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
