Mechanical Engineer, Actuators

The Mission

At GRAM, we believe the next great leap for humanity will be physical, not digital. What AGI is to bits, Self-Replication (SR) is to atoms. As an SR research and deployment company, our mission is to make humanity galactic by enabling physical exponential growth. To achieve this, we are conducting foundational research across general-purpose robotics, artificial intelligence, biology, and materials science to enable SR within our lifetimes.

Our first step is to challenge the consensus that robots should look like us. We believe true progress comes from optimizing for function over form. We are creating a new embodiment for intelligence, designed from first principles to build the future physical economy, on and off-world.

The Role

At GRAM, we are not integrating off-the-shelf components; we are building a novel physical being from the ground up. This role is for the engineers who build the machine itself: the bones, muscles, and nerves of our Insectoid robot. You will be responsible for inventing the core hardware that pushes the boundaries of performance and efficiency, creating a system that is greater than the sum of its parts.

This is a unique opportunity to solve fundamental challenges in mechatronics, power density, and biomechanics for a completely new robotic morphology. You will work at the intersection of mechanical design, electronics, and firmware to bring our vision to life, creating the physical foundation upon which all of our advanced AI will run.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, prototype, and validate novel, high-performance rotary and linear actuators from concept to production-ready designs.

• Own the full lifecycle of actuator development, including motor selection, custom gearbox and transmission design, sensor integration, and thermal management.

• Develop and execute rigorous testing methodologies and build test jigs to characterize actuator performance against key metrics like torque/force density, efficiency, and bandwidth.

• Conduct detailed multiphysics analysis (FEA, thermal) to drive design decisions and ensure reliability under extreme operating conditions.

• Collaborate closely with our electrical, firmware, and biomechanics engineers to ensure seamless electro-mechanical integration and system-level performance.

About You

You are a first-principles thinker who is energized by solving problems that have no playbook. You are drawn to ambitious, long-term missions and want to build technology that fundamentally changes our physical capabilities. You thrive in a high-agency environment where you are given the ownership and resources to tackle core challenges.

Basic Qualifications:

• MS in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field with 3+ years of hands-on experience designing and building robotic actuators or complex mechatronic systems.

• Demonstrated expertise in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, Onshape) for complex mechanical design and assembly.

• A strong foundation in machine design fundamentals, including gear trains, bearings, material selection, and GD&T.

• Hands-on experience with prototyping, fabrication, and testing of physical hardware.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A PhD in a relevant discipline with a focus on actuator design or robotics.

• A portfolio of novel actuator designs with demonstrable high-performance characteristics (e.g., high torque density, backdrivability, efficiency).

• Expertise in designing actuators for dynamic legged robots or robotic manipulators.

• Proficiency with FEA and thermal simulation tools (e.g., Ansys, COMSOL).

• Experience taking a design through to manufacturing and scalable production (DFM/DFA).

Location

This is an on-site role at our research lab in El Segundo, California. We offer significant relocation assistance for exceptional candidates.

Interview Process

After submitting your application, we review your portfolio and any exceptional work you've shipped. If your application demonstrates the caliber we seek, you'll enter our interview process, which is designed for speed and substance. We aim to complete it within one week from start to finish.

• Company-Wide Base Salary Range: $75,000 - $300,000 USD, calibrated to your impact potential
• Equity: Substantial ownership stake befitting founding team members
• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage; all meals are paid for; relocation assistance

GRAM is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate solely on capability and drive.

Why Join?

We are an early, focused team of scientists and engineers building the system that builds itself. GRAM is funded by leading investors and long-term visionaries. We operate without bureaucracy. Ownership and leadership flow to those who demonstrate exceptional capability, and every team member works directly on our core technology. We are based in El Segundo, the heart of America's industrial future, focused on solving one of the most important problems of our time.