Robotics Engineer, Mechatronics & Prototyping - NREC

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), engineers and technicians drive breakthroughs by collaborating closely with leadership and multidisciplinary teams to design, build, and deploy sophisticated robotic solutions for industrial, commercial, and government sectors. The role operates in the space between academic research and commercial production, focusing on building bespoke, intelligent robotic systems from the ground up at the intersection of mechanical design, machine vision, computing, and deep sensor integration. This is a lean, agile robotics applied research team where adaptability, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit are highly valued. The position requires a versatile Mechatronics Engineer with an emphasis on mechanical design, rapid prototyping, and hands-on system integration, owning the lifecycle of designs from concept to testing. The role involves working on diverse projects, including those with military/defense applications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related field) or equivalent experience
1-3 years of engineering experience
Strong proficiency in 3D CAD modeling (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape) paired with a portfolio of physical things you have actually built.
Deep understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and designing for custom fabrication over relying solely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components.
Practical experience with mechanical assembly, hand tools, and a solid understanding of structural fits and tolerances.
Functional knowledge of electronics - comfort reading schematics, soldering, fabricating wiring harnesses, and diagnosing basic electrical faults.
Successful pre-employment background check
Portfolio Link: Please provide a link to a portfolio, website, or GitHub repository showcasing physical hardware projects you have designed, built, and assembled.

Nice To Haves

Experience or strong interest in Machine Vision and edge computing integration.
Hands-on experience with sensor protocols (I2C, SPI, CAN) and basic microcontroller/robot programming (C++, Python, ROS).
High Autonomy & Low Ego: Comfortable with ambiguity and willing to research unknown areas.
Calibrated Rigor: Ability to make efficient work of quick tasks without over-engineering, but also knowing when strict mathematical validation is required.
Strong Communicator: Ability to proactively work through the 'exploration phase' of a project with teammates and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the mechanical architecture and detailed design of custom robotic systems, specialized end-effectors, and unique enclosures.
Bring concepts to life quickly using 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and traditional fabrication methods.
Physically assemble mechanical designs and handle the routing of electrical wiring and wire harnesses.
Take a lead role in bring-up and testing, using basic electronics debugging tools to isolate and resolve hardware issues.
Investigate ambiguous, high-level requests, understand constraints, and communicate technical trade-offs before execution.