Mechanical Engineering Manager

Andromeda Robotics is an ambitious social robotics company with offices in Melbourne and San Francisco, dedicated to creating robots that seamlessly and intelligently interact with the human world. Our first robot, Abi, is a testament to this vision: a custom-built platform designed from the ground up to be a helpful aid and intuitive partner in aged care homes. We are a passionate, collaborative team of engineers who solve some of the most challenging problems in AI and robotics.

• Empathy - Kindness and compassion are at the heart of everything we do.
• Play - Play sharpens focus. It keeps us curious, fast and obsessed with the craft.
• Never Settle- A relentless ambition, bias toward action, and uncomfortable levels of curiosity.
• Tenacity - Tenacious under pressure, we assume chaos and stay in motion to adapt and progress.
• Unity- Different minds. Shared mission. No passengers.

As a Senior/Staff Mechanical Engineering Manager, you and your team will own the mechanical design and development of Abi, including requirements gathering, concept exploration, mechanical/electrical prototyping, detailed design, and production validation. You will own the overall mechanical vision for Abi and set the direction for her structural, thermal, and actuation systems. You’ll work hands-on across CAD, prototyping, and testing, collaborating closely with partner teams including Electrical, Audio, Computer Vision, Simulation, ML/AI, Safety/Reliability, Design, and Manufacturing. You will ensure every design by you and your team meets high standards for performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

In addition to your individual contributor (IC work), you will lead the Mechanical Engineering team, setting the team’s roadmap and representing the team and its designs with executives and other stakeholders. You’ll mentor and review the work of junior engineers, lead design reviews, and refine our development processes as we scale. This role requires good communication skills, leadership and management expertise, strategic thinking and meticulous team execution, and driving hardware that performs under real-world conditions, at scale. This role is an incredibly exciting opportunity for you to help shape a product that will have a very positive impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, helping us replace a billion hours of loneliness with companionship.

• Lead a team of Mechanical Engineers, overseeing their day-to-day workflow and empowering them to deliver mission-critical outcomes. 
• Set the roadmap for the Mechanical Engineering team and ensure the team’s execution against aggressive short-, medium-, and long-term goals. 
• Collaborate with executives and leadership on overall mechanical vision and roadmap for Abi. 
• Own Abi’s mechanical design from concept to production, delivering robust, reliable systems that power Abi’s performance.
• Create and maintain mechanical designs and technical drawings in CAD (Onshape); produce clear manufacturing documentation and manage BOMs and product data in Odoo ERP. 
• Lead mechanical improvements to the Abi platform, developing prototypes with the assistance of electrical, software, and industrial design, with an eye towards multiple investigations for down-select and rapid iteration rather than aiming to be “perfect” with your first design.  
• Integrate motors, sensors, and wiring within tight constraints, without compromising form or function. Design joints, mechanisms, and transmissions optimised for mass, stiffness, and cost to ensure smooth, intuitive movement.
• Iterate rapidly through testing, simulation, and reviews to refine real-world performance at every stage.
• Develop documentation, test protocols, and assembly guides to enable seamless scale-up into manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Customer Success and Software teams to observe usage, prioritise fixes, and close the loop on design changes.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.

• Bachelor’s/Masters/PhD degree in Mechanical, Biomechanical, Robotics, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 6+ years of post-graduate professional mechanical engineering experience (beyond internships or co-ops), with a focus on mechanical design and manufacturability
• 3+ years post-graduate experience managing medium-sized (>3 person) teams in a performance-driven environment, including setting aggressive timelines, properly scoping work, and mentoring ICs on tools, processes, and approaches.
• Experience working with senior management on roadmapping and scoping future design iteration. 
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, OnShape, or equivalent) for complex geometry
• Experience with risk-weighted design approaches that incorporate fast iteration and prototyping ahead of design lock. 
• Hands-on integration of actuators, sensors, motors, wire harnesses, and communication buses
• Demonstrated knowledge of kinematics, dynamics, and advanced manufacturing (e.g., additive, composites) for weight-optimised designs
• Familiarity with PCB integration and how it integrates into mechanical enclosures
• Proven ability to select materials and finishes for performance, sustainability, and cost-efficiency
• Experience coordinating with suppliers on specs, timelines, for Low Vollume/High Complexity manufacturing of specialised products. 
• Ability to conduct in-depth failure analyses and contribute to FMEA processes

• Experience working in a startup or similar velocity-focused environment
• Professional experience in designing robots or similar mechatronic systems
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles
• Experience developing complex mechatronic assemblies with strain-wave, planetary, or cycloidal actuators

The salary for this position may vary depending on factors such as job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional benefits or components based on the specific role. Details will be provided if an employment offer is made.

If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. At Andromeda Robotics, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.