Foundation
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Staff Mechanical Engineer
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Foundation Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics and electric mobility with the goal to address the labor shortage. Our mission is to create advanced all terrain vehicles that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk across conflict zones, construction, mining, and space. We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count. We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work. Our Culture: We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here. Who should join: You like working in person with a team in San Francisco. You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday. You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well. You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it. You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done. Why We Are Hiring for This Role: Own suspension system development end-to-end: concept, CAD design, simulation, testing, and validation for off-road electric ATVs. Suspension analysis including kinematics, compliance, ride & handling, durability, and off-road performance optimization. Design and iterate suspension components (arms, dampers, bushings, linkages, mounts, etc.) in CAD with manufacturability and serviceability in mind. Develop and execute suspension test plans (bench rigs, durability rigs, vehicle-level validation) and analyze results to guide design improvements. Collaborate with chassis, powertrain, autonomy, and controls teams to ensure suspension integrates seamlessly with overall vehicle architecture. Support prototype builds and field testing, diagnosing and resolving mechanical issues quickly. Document designs, analyses, and validation results to ensure clear handoff to manufacturing and future iterations. What Kind of Person We Are Looking For: Someone who loves blue sky challenges and navigating technical ambiguity. Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or equivalent) for suspension and chassis design Experience with suspension analysis tools (e.g., Adams Car, Simpack, Matlab) Hands-on experience with suspension testing (rig tests, durability, vibration, ride/handling) and data analysis Familiarity with structural analysis (FEA for static, fatigue, and crash loads) Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, kinematics, and compliance tuning Ability to design for rugged, off-road environments (shock, vibration, corrosion, and dirt/water ingress considerations) Strong cross-functional communication skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced prototyping environments Experience with chassis frame design, weldment design, and lightweight structures Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field 5+ years of experience in suspension design, testing, or vehicle dynamics (off-road, automotive, powersports, or defense preferred) We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Manufacturing and Information Technology Industries: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing and Robotics Engineering Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Foundation by 2x Get notified about new Staff Mechanical Engineer jobs in
San Francisco Bay Area .
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Staff Mechanical Engineer
role at
Foundation Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics and electric mobility with the goal to address the labor shortage. Our mission is to create advanced all terrain vehicles that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk across conflict zones, construction, mining, and space. We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count. We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work. Our Culture: We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here. Who should join: You like working in person with a team in San Francisco. You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday. You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well. You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it. You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done. Why We Are Hiring for This Role: Own suspension system development end-to-end: concept, CAD design, simulation, testing, and validation for off-road electric ATVs. Suspension analysis including kinematics, compliance, ride & handling, durability, and off-road performance optimization. Design and iterate suspension components (arms, dampers, bushings, linkages, mounts, etc.) in CAD with manufacturability and serviceability in mind. Develop and execute suspension test plans (bench rigs, durability rigs, vehicle-level validation) and analyze results to guide design improvements. Collaborate with chassis, powertrain, autonomy, and controls teams to ensure suspension integrates seamlessly with overall vehicle architecture. Support prototype builds and field testing, diagnosing and resolving mechanical issues quickly. Document designs, analyses, and validation results to ensure clear handoff to manufacturing and future iterations. What Kind of Person We Are Looking For: Someone who loves blue sky challenges and navigating technical ambiguity. Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, or equivalent) for suspension and chassis design Experience with suspension analysis tools (e.g., Adams Car, Simpack, Matlab) Hands-on experience with suspension testing (rig tests, durability, vibration, ride/handling) and data analysis Familiarity with structural analysis (FEA for static, fatigue, and crash loads) Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, kinematics, and compliance tuning Ability to design for rugged, off-road environments (shock, vibration, corrosion, and dirt/water ingress considerations) Strong cross-functional communication skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced prototyping environments Experience with chassis frame design, weldment design, and lightweight structures Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field 5+ years of experience in suspension design, testing, or vehicle dynamics (off-road, automotive, powersports, or defense preferred) We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Manufacturing and Information Technology Industries: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing and Robotics Engineering Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Foundation by 2x Get notified about new Staff Mechanical Engineer jobs in
San Francisco Bay Area .
#J-18808-Ljbffr