Staff Engineer, Loads & Dynamics

The role

You will own the structural dynamics and validation strategy for robotic subsystems. This involves defining load cases, developing simulation and experimental validation methods, and ensuring hardware meets requirements for shock, vibration, durability, acoustic performance, and control stability.

What you will do

• Define statistically representative load cases that model real-world robotic operating conditions
• Develop and maintain validated structural dynamics, shock, and vibration models
• Improve robot durability, NVH performance, and control stability
• Lead structural validation efforts including instrumentation, data acquisition, testing, model correlation, and reporting
• Identify, investigate, and resolve structural dynamics issues affecting vibration, acoustic noise, fatigue life, or system stability
• Partner with mechanical, controls, systems, and reliability engineers

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Extensive experience in structural dynamics, vibration analysis, durability engineering, or mechanical validation
• Experience developing correlated analytical and experimental structural models
• Strong understanding of modal analysis, frequency response, shock, vibration, fatigue, and structural validation techniques
• Experience designing and executing instrumentation plans, test setups, and data acquisition campaigns
• Experience working with finite element analysis (FEA) and structural simulation tools
• Excellent communication skills

Nice to have

• Experience working on robotic, automotive, aerospace, or other highly dynamic electromechanical systems
• Familiarity with acoustic noise reduction and advanced NVH optimization techniques
• Experience supporting controls teams through structural dynamics characterization and stability troubleshooting
• Exposure to fast-paced hardware development environments with rapid design iteration cycles

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
• 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
• Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
• Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
• Onsite snacks and catered lunches

About the company

1X builds humanoid robots that work in homes to handle chores and tasks. They are developing NEO, a flagship home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world.