Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Mechanical design engineer jobs in San Francisco are in strong demand, concentrated in SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Dogpatch across medtech, clean energy, and consumer hardware sectors. Employers hiring right now include Redwood Materials, KUNZ, and Meta. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 235+ Mechanical Design Engineer jobs
Robotics - San Francisco
About the Team
Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples’ lives.
About the Role
We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the development of motor mechanical designs and prototype hardware for advanced robotic systems. You will own stator and rotor mechanical development from early concepts and detailed design through hands-on builds and prototype validation, partnering closely with electromagnetic, electrical, test, and manufacturing teams.
This role focuses on the designs.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires in-person presence 4 days a week.
In this role, you will
Own stator and rotor mechanical designs and released CAD and drawings, including geometry, interfaces, fits, tolerances, retention, assembly access, and mechanical validation.
Develop laminations, stack assembly methods, bobbins, and winding interfaces that control alignment, insulation, conductor placement, and end-turn packaging.
Design, fabricate, and debug fixtures for winding, stacking, assembly, alignment, and inspection.
Build and troubleshoot prototypes. Use measurements, defects, rework, and assembly effort to improve designs and processes.
Establish low-volume prototype production with equipment, build sequences, work instructions, revision control, traceability, and acceptance checks that let technicians reproduce successful builds.
Test new manufacturing methods and winding approachesance, repeatability, and practical implementation.
Work with electromagneticance, packaging, buildability, and validation.
You might thrive in this role if you
Move comfortably between CAD, the shop, measurements, and hands-on builds, and take ownership of the physical result.
Understand how tolerances, insulation, tool access, and assembly sequence affect whether a motor can be built and used reliably.
Diagnose failed builds through evidence and focused experiments, then carry the fix into the next iteration.
Build useful processes while designs evolve, and document them so others can reproduce the result.
Communicate assumptions and tradeoffs clearly and resolve coupled problems across disciplines.
Preferred qualifications
Experience designing and building motors, actuators, or other precision electromechanical assemblies.
Experience with lamination stacks, bobbins, winding, insulation interfaces, or small-component assembly.
Proficiency in 3D CAD, manufacturing drawings, tolerance analysis, and fixture design, with hands-on metrology and inspection of critical mechanical interfaces.
Machining, additive manufacturing, bonding, or other prototype manufacturing processes.
Experience turning an initial build into a repeatable low-volume process.
Interest in using AI to reduce repetitive design and prototype work, with careful engineering review.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employeration, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable lawation technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.
Compensation
$225K – $318K + Offers Equity
Robotics - San Francisco
About the Team
Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples’ lives.
About the Role
We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the development of motor mechanical designs and prototype hardware for advanced robotic systems. You will own stator and rotor mechanical development from early concepts and detailed design through hands-on builds and prototype validation, partnering closely with electromagnetic, electrical, test, and manufacturing teams.
This role focuses on the designs.
This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires in-person presence 4 days a week.
In this role, you will
Own stator and rotor mechanical designs and released CAD and drawings, including geometry, interfaces, fits, tolerances, retention, assembly access, and mechanical validation.
Develop laminations, stack assembly methods, bobbins, and winding interfaces that control alignment, insulation, conductor placement, and end-turn packaging.
Design, fabricate, and debug fixtures for winding, stacking, assembly, alignment, and inspection.
Build and troubleshoot prototypes. Use measurements, defects, rework, and assembly effort to improve designs and processes.
Establish low-volume prototype production with equipment, build sequences, work instructions, revision control, traceability, and acceptance checks that let technicians reproduce successful builds.
Test new manufacturing methods and winding approachesance, repeatability, and practical implementation.
Work with electromagneticance, packaging, buildability, and validation.
You might thrive in this role if you
Move comfortably between CAD, the shop, measurements, and hands-on builds, and take ownership of the physical result.
Understand how tolerances, insulation, tool access, and assembly sequence affect whether a motor can be built and used reliably.
Diagnose failed builds through evidence and focused experiments, then carry the fix into the next iteration.
Build useful processes while designs evolve, and document them so others can reproduce the result.
Communicate assumptions and tradeoffs clearly and resolve coupled problems across disciplines.
Preferred qualifications
Experience designing and building motors, actuators, or other precision electromechanical assemblies.
Experience with lamination stacks, bobbins, winding, insulation interfaces, or small-component assembly.
Proficiency in 3D CAD, manufacturing drawings, tolerance analysis, and fixture design, with hands-on metrology and inspection of critical mechanical interfaces.
Machining, additive manufacturing, bonding, or other prototype manufacturing processes.
Experience turning an initial build into a repeatable low-volume process.
Interest in using AI to reduce repetitive design and prototype work, with careful engineering review.
About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employeration, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable lawation technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.
Compensation
$225K – $318K + Offers Equity
See All 235+ Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in San Francisco
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Find JobsMechanical Design Engineer Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- Redwood Materials44
- KUNZ15K
- Meta15
- OpenAI15
- Firefly15
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing29
- Science & Research29
- Technology & Software15
Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mechanical design engineer job in San Francisco?
Focus your search on San Francisco's medtech corridor in Mission Bay, consumer hardware companies in SoMa, and clean energy firms in the Dogpatch. Candidates who show hands-on CAD proficiency, experience with rapid prototyping, and familiarity with manufacturing partnerships common to Bay Area startups stand out. Attending local engineering meetups and targeting companies with active R&D labs gives you a direct edge in this market.
Which companies hire mechanical design engineers in San Francisco?
Companies currently hiring mechanical design engineers in San Francisco include Redwood Materials, KUNZ, and Meta, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Francisco's employer mix leans toward medical device firms, hardware-focused startups, and clean technology companies with in-house design and prototyping teams.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though remote options are limited because mechanical design work typically involves physical prototyping, lab equipment, and on-site collaboration. About 13% of mechanical design engineer openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, mostly covering roles focused on CAD modeling, simulation, or design review rather than hands-on fabrication. Hybrid arrangements are more common than fully remote positions.
How can I get a mechanical design engineer job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Francisco is targeting hardware startups in SoMa and Mission Bay that hire junior engineers for prototyping and CAD support roles. Many medtech and clean energy companies in the city run co-op and contract-to-hire programs that convert to full-time. Building a portfolio of SolidWorks or Fusion 360 projects, contributing to university design competitions, and connecting through San Francisco maker spaces like Autodesk's Pier 9 facility can open early-career doors locally.
Which industries hire the most mechanical design engineers in San Francisco?
The sectors hiring the most mechanical design engineers in San Francisco are Manufacturing, Science & Research, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Francisco's concentration of medical device companies in Mission Bay, hardware and robotics startups in SoMa, and clean technology firms in the Dogpatch drives sustained local demand for mechanical design talent.
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