Senior Mechanical Engineer - Mobile Manipulator Design (MOMA)

About Origin Origin (previously 10xConstruction) is building general-purpose autonomous robots for US construction to tackle rising costs, safety risks, and labour shortages. Our modular, multi-trade platform combines purpose-built hardware with real-time site intelligence to navigate complex environments and execute tasks with precision. Trained in high-fidelity simulation and already deployed on live sites, our robots deliver 5x faster execution, 250%+ margin expansion, and significant cost savings. Join India’s most talent-dense robotics team consisting of individuals from IITs, Stanford, UCLA, etc. About the role As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will take full ownership of major subsystems of the mobile manipulator (e.g., the multi-axis robotic arm structure, the heavy-duty mobile base chassis, or the lift column). You will be responsible for ensuring your subsystems survive extreme physical abuse while maintaining millimeter-level precision. You will independently execute complex structural analyses, manage difficult packaging constraints, and lead physical validation testing. Key Responsibilities Subsystem Design & Analysis: Architect and detail-design core mechanical structures, castings, and weldments for the robot. Conduct rigorous FEA (static, fatigue, and modal) to optimize for weight, stiffness, and manufacturability. Design complex, high-precision mounting interfaces for high-torque actuators, LiDARs, and vision systems, ensuring zero backlash and perfect alignment. V&V and Reliability Engineering: Translate product needs into verifiable engineering requirements for your subsystems. Develop and execute rigorous physical Verification and Validation (V&V) protocols (e.g., drop testing, vibration tables, continuous load cycling). Own the DFMEA for your subsystems and implement design changes to mitigate identified failure modes. Real-to-Virtual Fidelity: Create and maintain mathematically rigorous URDFs for your subsystems, calculating exact inertial properties, center of mass, and friction models to feed the simulation and controls teams. Prototyping & Mentorship: Lead rapid prototyping efforts to physically validate designs before committing to expensive tooling. Mentor junior engineers in CAD best practices, FEA setups, and GD&T application. Required Qualifications and Skills Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace, or Robotics. 4-8 years of professional experience in designing dynamic mechanical systems. Expert proficiency in CAD software (Onshape or equivalent) and PDM systems. Strong background in applying GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and performing complex 3D tolerance stack-up analyses. Deep understanding of material science, metal fabrication (machining, welding, casting), and structural mechanics. Strong hands-on fabrication and prototyping skills. Preferred Experiences Experience designing mobile robots, heavy-duty gimbals, or CNC machinery. Practical experience writing Python or MATLAB scripts to automate kinematic or dynamic calculations.