Senior Mechanical Design Engineer- Robot Cladding & A-Class Surfaces

Rhoda ai•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

At Rhoda AI, we're building the full-stack foundation for the next generation of humanoid robots — from high-performance, software-defined hardware to the foundational models and video world models that control it. Our robots are designed to be generalists capable of operating in complex, real-world environments and handling scenarios unseen in training. We work at the intersection of large-scale learning, robotics, and systems, with a research team that includes researchers from Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard, and beyond. We're not building a feature; we're building a new computing platform for physical work — and with over $400M raised, we're investing aggressively in the R&D, hardware development, and manufacturing scale-up to make that a reality. As a Senior Engineer, you will own the full product lifecycle of our robot’s Class-A surfaces that define its appearance and protect its core. Robots are high performance multiaxial kinematic systems where heavy-duty structural integrity meets sub millimeter precision. In this role, you are the CEO of your components. You will navigate a diverse landscape of materials (e.g., textiles, polymers, and composites), interfacing with cross-functional teams to ensure our products are functional, reliable, robust, and well-crafted. We operate as T-shaped engineers. While you must be a generalist capable of solving any hardware challenge, your superpower for this role must be thin-walled component design and industrialization from concept to mass production.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
5+ years of engineering experience, including at least one full-cycle product launch.
Proficiency in design integration to balance material selection, geometry, and structural trade-offs informed by product use cases and functional/engineering requirements.
Deep Knowledge in thin-walled component design and/or high-performance composites (fiber-resin systems).
Ability to define datum strategies and tolerances from concept through to Class-A maturation with a deep understanding of GD&T as a driver.
Proficiency in CATIA (or equivalent) with the ability to communicate ideas through sections and CAD studies to progress development to production.
Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to use first principles thinking to solve technical bottlenecks under tight timelines.

Nice To Haves

Experience integrating textiles, artificial leather, elastomers, or cellular structures into designs.
Deep knowledge of injection molding, RIM, vacuum forming, or thermoforming.
Familiarity with polymer surface finishes (painting, plating, etc.) or integration of vehicle interior lighting.
Background in both Design Engineering and Manufacturing/Assembly Engineering.

Responsibilities

Manage the product lifecycle from initial concept and design studio interaction to end-of-life, ensuring feasibility, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
Integrate the cladding subsystem of your ownership, balancing aesthetic, mechanical, cost, and time constraints.
Define design criteria and lead engineering studies for subsystem compatibility.
Perform dimensional stack-up analysis for critical-to-function and aesthetic interfaces.
Design complex B-side features (ribbing, bosses, clip towers, hooks) that support performance without compromising A-side aesthetics.
Develop robust attachment strategies, including joining features (e.g., snaps, hooks, welds).
Coordinate cladding prototype builds, evaluate assembly feasibility during slow builds, and validate components against requirements.
Produce high-fidelity 3D CAD models (CATIA preferred) and 2D engineering drawings with comprehensive GD&T and datum strategies.
Interpret FEA analysis (e.g., structural, Moldflow) to iterate designs.
Think at a systems level and apply a failure mode avoidance mentality to ensure long-term reliability.
Partner with Supply Chain and Tier 1/2 suppliers for RFQs and technical feasibility reviews; troubleshoot integration issues during build phases.