Principal Mechatronics Engineer

Outrider, the pioneer in autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, helps large enterprises improve safety and increase efficiency. The only company exclusively focused on automating all aspects of yard operations, Outrider eliminates manual tasks that are hazardous and repetitive. Outrider’s mission is to drive the rapid adoption of sustainable freight transportation by deploying zero-emission systems. Outrider is a private company backed by NEA, 8VC, Koch Disruptive Technologies, and other top-tier investors. For more information, visit www.outrider.ai

The Principal Mechatronics Engineer will report to the Senior Manager of Hardware Engineering and will own the full lifecycle—design, prototyping, DFX, and production—of our next-generation robotic arm and end effectors for advanced manipulation. This role owns mechanical architecture from concept through field deployment, setting engineering standards and driving design decisions that shape the reliability and scalability of the product.

This is a high-impact, hands-on technical leadership role for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of rigorous analysis and practical field reality. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in electromechanical systems, a strong reliability and durability mindset, and the ability to mentor and elevate a team of mechanical engineers.

This role is mission-critical for helping deliver a safety-critical system for industrial automation. The opportunity offers a technical, hands-on team member the chance to help develop a market-defining enterprise product that combines autonomous vehicle technology with a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model. 

The ideal candidate will embrace our goal to drive zero-emission, self-driving vehicle adoption, and help us realize our potential to define, build, and lead a new category of robotic automation for the enterprise.

This role is based in Denver, CO. Hybrid/remote candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• →Own the mechanical architecture of advanced robotic manipulation, including end effector, actuation, and hardware systems, from requirements definition through design, validation, and field release
• →Define and maintain engineering standards for CAD, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and documentation across the mechanical team
• →Apply design for manufacturability (DFM) principles throughout the design process, collaborating with vendors and contract manufacturers to ensure designs are producible, cost-effective, and scalable from prototype to production volumes
• →Lead design reviews and provide technical mentorship to Mechanical Engineer I/II team members
• →Partner with software, electrical, and systems engineering teams to define HW/SW interface requirements and ensure integrated system performance
• →Evaluate and select vendors and components; lead supplier development efforts for critical or custom hardware
• →Lead reliability initiatives, including failure mode analysis (FMEA/FTA), design for reliability, and systematic corrective action to improve durability, safety, and lifecycle cost across the fleet
• →Identify and resolve systemic mechanical risks across the product line before they reach the field

• 8+ years of experience with integrated hardware/software systems such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, or other industrial automation products
• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated experience owning mechanical system architecture end-to-end, including requirements, design, analysis, and validation
• Deep expertise in designing and documenting machined parts, weldments, sheet metal, and assemblies with full GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Experience applying DFM principles to machined parts, sheet metal, weldments, and molded or cast components, with demonstrated ability to reduce part complexity and manufacturing cost without compromising performance 
• Experience leading reliability programs — FMEA, root cause analysis, corrective action — on fielded hardware systems
• Proficiency with FEA and the ability to guide others in applying simulation to design decisions
• Experience with PDM systems and formal part release processes
• Experience designing and integrating sensors into electromechanical systems
• Track record of mentoring engineers and raising the technical quality of a team

• Experience with robotic manipulator design, including joint design, linkage synthesis, and actuation selection
• Experience designing hardware for hardened outdoor environments (ingress protection, thermal cycling, vibration, shock)
• Familiarity with cable harness design and sensor wiring in integrated systems
• Working knowledge of Python and/or C++ for test automation or hardware-in-the-loop validation
• Familiarity with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or similar) in the context of safety-critical hardware design