Mechanical Product Engineer, Robotics

As a Mechanical Product Engineer at OpenAI, you will be directly involved in shaping the future of robotic systems. This includes evaluating and refining physical designs, integrating advanced sensors and actuating mechanisms, and ensuring the seamless transition from model to real-world application. Your role will require close collaboration with software engineers and other team members to guarantee that all hardware components perform optimally in dynamic environments.

To qualify for the Mechanical Product Engineer position at OpenAI, candidates must have at least 8 years of experience in electronics, with a focus on 2 years in robotics hardware design. A Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field is necessary, along with expertise in mechanism design, manufacturing processes, and 3D CAD tools.

Successful candidates for the Mechanical Product Engineer role at OpenAI should have strong skills in design for manufacturability, assembly, and tolerance analysis. Proficiency in 3D CAD design, excellent communication abilities, and hands-on experience with robotics hardware components are also critical. Additionally, familiarity with high-volume mechanical systems and experience in integrating advanced sensors are highly desirable.

At OpenAI, a Mechanical Product Engineer will encounter diverse project opportunities, working on innovative designs for robotics that influence various industries. You will engage in fine-tuning mechanical systems for versatility, enhancing AI capabilities, and addressing complex engineering challenges, all while contributing to breakthroughs in embodied AI technology.

OpenAI is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, ensuring that all employees, including Mechanical Product Engineers, feel valued and empowered. The company embraces diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering an environment where creative ideas can flourish. OpenAI actively abides by equal opportunity standards and encourages inclusive practices across all teams.

When discussing your experience with mechanism design, focus on specific projects where you developed actuators or motors for robotic applications. Highlight your understanding of the mechanical constraints involved and how you overcame challenges during the design process.

To ensure design for manufacturability, emphasize your approach to analyzing designs for cost-effective and efficient production. Discuss techniques you've employed to simplify assembly processes and how you've collaborated with manufacturing teams to achieve optimal results.

When discussing integrating sensors into mechanical systems, explain your strategy for selecting the appropriate sensors based on the application requirements. Provide examples of how you successfully integrated sensors into previous designs to enhance performance and functionality.

In addressing challenges on assembly lines, describe your methodology for identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions. Use examples where you analyzed data, collaborated with cross-functional teams, and made specific adjustments that improved assembly processes.

Share your experience with the various 3D CAD tools you've utilized, detailing specific features you found helpful. Discuss notable projects where these tools helped you visualize complex designs and troubleshoot issues.

Explain your knowledge of geometric tolerancing, emphasizing its role in ensuring that parts fit together correctly. Share examples of projects where you applied tolerancing principles to prevent assembly issues and ensure quality.

Discuss a specific project geared toward high-volume production, detailing your role in designing systems for efficiency and scalability. Highlight any techniques you used to maintain quality while meeting production demands.

Illustrate your collaborative approach by sharing how you've gathered and integrated feedback from cross-functional teams, such as software engineers and manufacturing partners, to refine your designs and achieve better overall results.

Share insights from your experiences that show a solid understanding of materials science, focusing on how different materials affect the design and functionality of robotics. Detail any projects that required you to select materials thoughtfully based on specific mechanical requirements.

Discuss the significance of empirical testing in validating designs, ensuring reliability and performance. Share experiences where you conducted real-world tests to inform design iterations, emphasizing the positive outcomes of your testing methodologies.