Senior Mechanical Engineer, Robotic Hands

Your mission & challenges • Lead the mechanical design and development of robotic hands and their subsystems, from prototype to series production • Take technical ownership of mechanical designs, ensuring design maturity and readiness for production release • Develop and maintain CAD models, technical drawings, product structures, bills of materials, and assembly documentation • Own Product Data Management (PDM) processes, including part numbering, CAD structures, engineering changes, and release workflows • Conduct mechanical design reviews, tolerance stack-up analyses, and GD&T assessments • Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), including the transition from CNC-machined components to injection-molded parts • Support the development and optimization of compact precision mechanisms, actuators, and robotic hand assemblies • Coordinate manufacturing transfer and production ramp-up activities with suppliers and production teams in Germany and China • Lead mechanical failure analysis, root cause investigations, and design improvements to enhance product reliability and durability • Define mechanical acceptance criteria for incoming inspections, end-of-line testing, and product validation • Support prototype builds, endurance testing, supplier qualification, and manufacturing process optimization • Drive design for serviceability, maintenance, and spare parts definition • Collaborate across mechanical, electronics, manufacturing, quality, and sourcing teams to resolve technical challenges • Mentor junior engineers and students, contributing to engineering best practices and continuous improvement What we can look forward to • Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a comparable field • 8+ years of experience in mechanical or electromechanical product development, including taking at least one product into series production • Strong expertise in designing compact precision mechanisms, including gears, linkages, bearings, springs, and small electric drives • Proven experience developing production-ready mechanical systems and managing design releases • Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, particularly CNC machining, injection molding, tooling, and precision assembly • Strong knowledge of tolerance analysis, GD&T, and engineering drawing standards (ISO GPS or ASME Y14.5) • Proficiency in Creo or SolidWorks, with hands-on experience managing product structures and release workflows in Windchill, SolidWorks PDM, or similar systems • Experience conducting production release reviews and coordinating with manufacturing suppliers • Familiarity with structured root cause analysis and quality methodologies such as 8D and FMEA • Experience transferring mechanical designs into production with external or international manufacturing partners • Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary and international teams • Fluent English; German language skills are a strong advantage • Valid Class B driving licence and willingness to travel between company locations and international production sites Nice to Have • Experience developing robotic hands, grippers, prosthetics, exoskeletons, or other dexterous robotic mechanisms • Knowledge of tendon-driven mechanisms, series elastic actuators, capstan drives, and worm gear systems • Experience with ball joints, orbital forming, or other specialized manufacturing techniques for compact mechanisms • Experience creating assembly instructions and supporting manual production lines • Familiarity with Chinese contract manufacturers and international supplier management • Experience integrating sensors, textiles, or flexible components into mechanical structures • Previous technical leadership or mentoring experience within robotics or precision electromechanical product development