TN Visa Chief Architect Jobs
Chief Architect roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA's Engineer category, provided your work focuses on architectural systems design rather than licensed building practice. Canadian citizens can apply at the border with a job offer in hand. Mexican nationals require consular processing through a U.S. embassy.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Chef Robotics is accelerating the deployment of intelligent machines in the physical world, starting with food production — the sector facing the largest labor shortage in the U.S., with 1.14M unfilled jobs today and 3.1M projected by 2030. These roles can't be offshored, making robotics essential to keeping production onshore and strengthening America's manufacturing base. Our AI-powered robots automate food prep and assembly in commercial kitchens and food manufacturing, and have already produced over 110 million meals in production — generating the world's largest proprietary dataset for deformable food manipulation. Backed by investors including Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg Beta, and Promus Ventures, and built by a team from Cruise, Zoox, Google, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics, Chef is rapidly scaling with multiple multi-year contracts and a mission to put an intelligent robot in every commercial kitchen.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Robots are transforming how the world makes food — and you'll be building the hands that do it. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Chef, you'll design and ship the mechatronic components that power our robotic systems, from clever end effectors to full manipulation systems. You'll own the full development lifecycle: rapid prototyping, lab testing, systems integration, and vendor coordination. If you want your mechanical designs deployed in commercial kitchens across the country, this is your role.
Responsibilities
- Design and build mechatronic components for automated control systems and robotics, with a strong focus on end effectors and manipulation systems
- Drive systems integration — taking individual components all the way to a full, functioning robotic system
- Work hands-on in our lab: prototype fast, test hard, and iterate until it ships
- Partner closely with software, electrical, and industrial design teams to build solutions that are both elegant and production-ready
- Source and coordinate with vendors to identify and procure the right materials for mechatronic system designs
- Build robust testing processes, conduct reliability studies, and evaluate the feasibility, cost, and performance of new mechatronic equipment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- You've shipped hardware to production — and you know what it really takes
- BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical design or robotics
- Expert-level SolidWorks: CAD, CAM, solid modeling, surface modeling, and sheet metal
- Strong command of fabrication drawings, 2D drawings, and GD&T
- Experience owning the full product cycle — from first concept through production release and redesign
- Deep knowledge of FEA, risk analysis, solid mechanics, and heat and stress transfer simulation
Chef Robotics is solving one of the hardest problems in AI and robotics — and we ship. Our robots are in production today, generating real data that trains the next generation of food AI. Backed by Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg Beta, and Promus Ventures, and built by a team from Cruise, Zoox, Google, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics, we're scaling fast with multiple multi-year enterprise contracts. If you want to build physical AI with real-world deployments and real impact, Chef is the place.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Chef is an early-stage startup where equity is a major part of the compensation package. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to salary and early-stage equity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, commuter benefits, flexible paid time off (PTO), catered lunch, and 401(k) matching.
INTRODUCTION
Chef Robotics is accelerating the deployment of intelligent machines in the physical world, starting with food production — the sector facing the largest labor shortage in the U.S., with 1.14M unfilled jobs today and 3.1M projected by 2030. These roles can't be offshored, making robotics essential to keeping production onshore and strengthening America's manufacturing base. Our AI-powered robots automate food prep and assembly in commercial kitchens and food manufacturing, and have already produced over 110 million meals in production — generating the world's largest proprietary dataset for deformable food manipulation. Backed by investors including Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg Beta, and Promus Ventures, and built by a team from Cruise, Zoox, Google, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics, Chef is rapidly scaling with multiple multi-year contracts and a mission to put an intelligent robot in every commercial kitchen.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Robots are transforming how the world makes food — and you'll be building the hands that do it. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Chef, you'll design and ship the mechatronic components that power our robotic systems, from clever end effectors to full manipulation systems. You'll own the full development lifecycle: rapid prototyping, lab testing, systems integration, and vendor coordination. If you want your mechanical designs deployed in commercial kitchens across the country, this is your role.
Responsibilities
- Design and build mechatronic components for automated control systems and robotics, with a strong focus on end effectors and manipulation systems
- Drive systems integration — taking individual components all the way to a full, functioning robotic system
- Work hands-on in our lab: prototype fast, test hard, and iterate until it ships
- Partner closely with software, electrical, and industrial design teams to build solutions that are both elegant and production-ready
- Source and coordinate with vendors to identify and procure the right materials for mechatronic system designs
- Build robust testing processes, conduct reliability studies, and evaluate the feasibility, cost, and performance of new mechatronic equipment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- You've shipped hardware to production — and you know what it really takes
- BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical design or robotics
- Expert-level SolidWorks: CAD, CAM, solid modeling, surface modeling, and sheet metal
- Strong command of fabrication drawings, 2D drawings, and GD&T
- Experience owning the full product cycle — from first concept through production release and redesign
- Deep knowledge of FEA, risk analysis, solid mechanics, and heat and stress transfer simulation
Chef Robotics is solving one of the hardest problems in AI and robotics — and we ship. Our robots are in production today, generating real data that trains the next generation of food AI. Backed by Kleiner Perkins, Construct, Bloomberg Beta, and Promus Ventures, and built by a team from Cruise, Zoox, Google, Tesla, and Amazon Robotics, we're scaling fast with multiple multi-year enterprise contracts. If you want to build physical AI with real-world deployments and real impact, Chef is the place.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Chef is an early-stage startup where equity is a major part of the compensation package. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to salary and early-stage equity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, commuter benefits, flexible paid time off (PTO), catered lunch, and 401(k) matching.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship in Chief Architect
Align your credentials to USMCA's Engineer category
TN visa approval for Chief Architect roles hinges on framing your background under the Engineer occupational category. Your degree and job duties must center on systems design or technical architecture, not licensed building practice under state law.
Target employers with distributed or remote architecture teams
Large technology and infrastructure firms with U.S. headquarters and cross-border teams process TN sponsorship routinely. Prioritize roles where the job description emphasizes technical systems architecture, since that framing matches TN's Engineer category more cleanly than traditional architectural titles.
Request a detailed offer letter covering technical duties
CBP officers evaluate your offer letter on the spot at the Canadian border. Ask your employer to describe your duties in engineering terms: system design, technical specifications, and infrastructure oversight. Vague titles like 'Chief Architect' without duty descriptions draw extra scrutiny.
Search for TN-ready roles using Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Chief Architect roles by employers with recent visa filings, which indicates they have experience with work visa sponsorship. This cuts down research time and surfaces positions where hiring teams already understand the sponsorship process and won't withdraw offers over visa complexity.
Prepare credential equivalency documentation before applying
If your architecture or engineering degree is from a Canadian or Mexican institution, gather official transcripts and, if needed, a credential evaluation showing U.S. equivalency. CBP and consular officers compare your degree field directly against the USMCA Engineer category definition.
Understand that TN approval does not transfer between employers
Each new employer requires a fresh TN petition or border application. If you accept a Chief Architect role at a second company, you cannot begin work until the new TN is approved. Canadian citizens can process this at the port of entry; Mexican nationals must return to a consulate.
Chief Architect TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Chief Architect role qualify for a TN visa?
It depends on how the role is defined. TN visas for architects require a state or provincial license, while roles framed under the Engineer category require a degree in engineering or a related field. Chief Architect positions that focus on technical systems design, infrastructure planning, or software architecture typically qualify under the Engineer category rather than the Architect category. Your offer letter's duty description is what CBP or the consulate evaluates.
How does TN compare to H-1B for Chief Architect positions?
TN has no annual lottery and no cap for Canadian citizens, so you can apply at a port of entry the same day your offer letter is finalized. H-1B visa requires entering a random lottery held once per year, with results in spring for an October 1 start date. For Chief Architect roles that qualify under the USMCA Engineer category, TN is a faster and more predictable path. Mexican nationals face a TN cap, but it rarely fills.
Can I find Chief Architect jobs with TN sponsorship on Migrate Mate?
Yes. Migrate Mate surfaces Chief Architect roles from employers with TN visa sponsorship history. You can filter by role type and visa category, which saves time compared to screening job listings individually. Employers listed on the platform are familiar with TN requirements, so you're less likely to encounter withdrawn offers once visa needs come up in the hiring process.
What documents do I need for a TN application as a Chief Architect?
You'll need a detailed offer letter from your U.S. employer, your original degree transcripts or diploma, and government-issued identification. If your role is framed under the Engineer category, your degree must be in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field. Canadian citizens present these at the border and receive a decision the same day. Mexican nationals submit through a U.S. consulate and wait for an interview appointment.
How long does TN visa status last, and can it be renewed?
TN status is granted in three-year increments with no statutory limit on renewals, so you can stay in TN status indefinitely as long as you maintain qualifying employment. Renewals follow the same process as the initial application. Canadian citizens renew at the border; Mexican nationals renew through consular processing. There's no grace period built into TN status, so timing your renewal before your current period expires matters.