Mechanical Engineer (Robotics & Electromechanical)

Overlay•Oakland, CA

18h•$135,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Overlay is building an intelligent makeup robot and developing a new category of personal robotics at the intersection of beauty, robotics, perception, and design. The Mechanical Engineer will own the mechanical design of robotic and electromechanical subsystems, taking them from concept through build. The role includes designing motion systems, managing cable routing through moving assemblies, conducting FEA and tolerance analysis, and designing components for manufacturing. The engineer will also create and run tests, prepare fabrication-ready documentation, and coordinate with firmware, electrical, robotics, and vendor teams to keep interfaces and specifications clear. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys building, testing, and fixing hardware and is comfortable working quickly with incomplete information in a small, resource-conscious startup. The position is based in person at Overlay’s Oakland office. The company emphasizes ownership, velocity, craft, sound judgment, candid communication, and demonstrating real working results.

Requirements

At least 4 years designing robotic or electromechanical products, including at least one build.
Experience with SolidWorks and FEA.
Experience sizing motors, actuators, and drivetrains.
Experience with cable routing and packaging in moving assemblies.
Design for manufacturing experience with injection molding and machining.
Experience designing test fixtures and conducting validation testing.
Working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 / GD&T.
Comfort working in a small, resource-conscious startup where the work involves inventing, building, and shipping.
Hands-on approach to building, testing, and fixing hardware.
Comfort moving quickly with incomplete information.

Nice To Haves

Experience with robot arms, consumer robotics, or medical/personal-care devices.
Experience working with contract manufacturers or vendors in Asia.
Metrology experience with CMM, laser tracker, or stereo camera.
Prototype bring-up, 3D printing, or machining experience.
Interesting side projects.

Responsibilities

Own mechanical design of robotic and electromechanical subsystems from concept through build.
Design motion systems and select and size motors, gearboxes, bearings, sensors, and actuators.
Design cable management and routing through moving assemblies.
Run FEA and tolerance analysis and apply the results to design changes.
Design plastic and machined parts for injection molding, CNC machining, and sheet metal fabrication.
Design and build test fixtures, and plan and run validation testing with clear pass/fail data.
Create assembly and fabrication-ready drawings.
Work with firmware, electrical, robotics, and vendor teams to keep interfaces and specifications clear.
Embody the company values of ownership, velocity, and craft.