Founding Mechanical Engineer

Almond is building America's critical robot factory. Our first product, Axol, is a dual-arm robot for physical AI, designed to operate in real-world production environments like factories, warehouses, and beyond.

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to design, test, and implement key components for Axol and our data collection systems. You will turn prototypes into reliable, manufacturable products by iterating on early designs and key suppliers to ensure quality and reliability.

This role is ideal for an engineer excited about working across the full product lifecycle from whiteboard sketches and 3D CAD to testing, validation, and manufacturing.

What you’ll do:

• Support the design and development of mechanical components and assemblies for our humanoid arm and data collection devices
• Rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on designs to improve performance and reliability
• Contribute to DFM/DFA efforts to ensure designs can scale from low-volume prototypes to production
• Work with vendors and suppliers on prototyping, tooling, and production readiness
• Perform basic analyses (tolerance, structural, thermal) to validate design decisions
• Assist in documentation for design reviews, testing, and production release
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (electrical, software, industrial design) to integrate mechanical systems

Requirements:

• Strong passion to build in America
• Strong experience with sheet metal manufacturing (we rely heavily on SendCutSend).
• 2–4+ years of mechanical engineering experience (internships and project work considered)
• Strong skills in CAD (we use OnShape) and a familiarity with rapid prototyping techniques (3D printing, machining, etc.)
• Understanding of DFM/DFA principles and interest in scaling prototypes to production
• Hands-on problem-solving approach with ability to iterate quickly
• Strong collaboration skills and comfort working in fast-paced startup environments
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Master’s a plus, but not required)
• Have strong conviction in the idea that general purpose robots (humanoid-esque + AI) are inevitable and will soon take over the physical world

Building robots in America is one of the hardest engineering challenges. We are taking on a problem that requires extreme ownership, urgency, and sacrifice.

This is not a 9-to-5 job. Expect a 9-9-6 pace during critical pushes. We are looking for motivated people who want to spend the next few years doing the hardest work of their lives to build something great.