Hardware Systems Research Engineer

Challenge the state of the art by turning ideas into working systems and subjecting them to rigorous evaluation. You will build, test, and iterate across mechanical, electrical, and software domains to determine what truly advances robotic capability.

As a Hardware Systems Research Engineer, your success is measured not by the number of concepts explored, but by the quality of evidence generated. You will rapidly translate ideas into experiments, expose limitations, identify opportunities, and create pathways that can eventually survive real-world product constraints, integration requirements, and manufacturing realities., * Rapidly prototype and evaluate novel hardware concepts that advance the capabilities of humanoid robotic systems

• Generate trustworthy experimental data that informs technical decisions and eliminates uncertainty around new approaches
• Establish clear performance benchmarks and systematically evaluate concepts against biological, system-level, or product-relevant targets
• Identify and communicate the true limitations, tradeoffs, and scaling challenges of emerging technologies
• Successfully transition promising research concepts into credible paths for product integration and future development programs

Do you have experience in Validation design?, * Exceptional hands-on engineering ability across mechanical, electrical, and software systems with 10+ years of experience.

• Strong experimental mindset with a commitment to evidence-driven decision making
• Ability to move quickly from concept to working hardware while maintaining technical rigor
• Deep curiosity and intrinsic motivation to understand how systems behave and why they fail
• High degree of ownership, persistence, and comfort operating in ambiguous research environments, * Strong hands-on experience developing complex hardware systems through professional work, research, startups, or significant personal projects
• Several years of experience building and testing innovative electromechanical systems
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, fabricate, assemble, and validate physical prototypes
• Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanics, electronics, controls, or embedded systems
• Portfolio of projects demonstrating deep technical ownership and successful execution from concept through validation, * Experience designing and assembling prototype electronics and custom PCBs
• Experience with CAD, machining, fabrication, and rapid mechanical iteration
• Experience writing low-level firmware, controls software, or hardware test infrastructure
• Strong experimental design, data analysis, and system modeling skills
• Exposure to biomechanics, neuroscience, cognitive science, or biologically inspired systems
• Experience developing robotic, actuator, sensing, or advanced electromechanical systems, The people who thrive in 1X Labs share a few additional traits: they prefer experiments over debates, evidence over assumptions, and execution over endless planning. They are comfortable building ideas that are not their own, relentlessly testing systems against reality, and pushing until they either achieve breakthrough performance or understand exactly why they cannot.

Pulled from the full job description

• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Dental insurance, * 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, Compensation Range: $200K - $250K

We're building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it's not. To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you're inspired by this, you'll thrive here. We've been at this since 2014 and we're at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us. NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We're not demoing it - we're shipping it. We're excited to meet you, if this excites you. If you've spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We're scaling, we're hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.