Founding Mechanical Engineer

Instance Labs is hiring a Founding Mechanical Engineer to own mechanisms, motion systems, fixtures, couplings, robotic handoffs, and test interfaces for process cells that automate circuit-board production. The role is on-site in San Francisco every day, with six-day weeks described as normal.

Responsibilities

• Design and validate precision motion systems, frames, fixtures, and mechanisms.
• Build board-handling and robotic handoff mechanisms, couplings, and end effectors.
• Develop fabrication and via-forming mechanisms for feeding, actuation, and clamping.
• Build test fixtures and mechanical interfaces for probing, measurement, and diagnosis.
• Prototype at the bench, measure performance and failure rates, and iterate for sustained automated operation.
• Collaborate with electrical and software engineers to integrate motors, sensors, and controls.

Requirements

• Deep mechanical engineering experience with accurate, repeatable mechanisms and measured performance.
• A record of building real hardware that works beyond a demonstration, ideally in production or the field.
• Strong experimental problem-solving and evidence of taking on difficult physical problems.
• Electrical and mechatronics intuition covering motors, sensors, wiring, power, grounding, and controls.
• Ability to write, read, and debug code for testing or controlling mechanisms.
• Formal mechanical engineering training, related education, or intense hands-on experience.
• Ability to work on-site in San Francisco every day and accommodate a demanding six-day work schedule.

Benefits

• Opportunity to design a new process-cell architecture from a blank sheet and see the mechanisms operate in customer production environments.