Motor/Actuator Design Engineer
Western Magnetics
Motor/Actuator Design Engineer
Western Magnetics
U.S. drone motors and actuators manufacturer
About Westmag
Westmag, short for Western Magnetics Company, is the American manufacturer of drone motors and robot actuators. The company designs and manufactures its products in South San Francisco, committed to building and scaling in the U.S. to serve the global market. Westmag is ramping production to serve leading drone and robot companies with millions of motors and actuators. Westmag is headquartered in South San Francisco and is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, NFDG, Menlo Ventures, and other top investors. For more information, visit westmag.com.
About the role
As a Motor/Actuator Design Engineer at Westmag, you will play a critical role in the design and development of advanced drone motors and robotic actuators. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to create high-efficiency, reliable, and innovative motor solutions that meet customer requirements. Your work will directly impact Westmag's position as a leader in drone and robotics motor technology.
What you'll own
Design and optimize motor and actuator architectures for drone and robotic applications.
Develop detailed motor design specifications, including electrical, mechanical, and thermal considerations.
Simulate and analyze motor performance using relevant software tools.
Work cross-functionally with Field Applications Engineers, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
Support prototyping, testing, and validation of new motor designs and contribute to continuous product improvements.
Document design processes, test results, and design revisions.
Stay current on emerging technologies and industry trends in motor and actuator design.
Required qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
3+ years of experience in motor or actuator design, preferably in drone, robotics, or aerospace industries.
Strong foundation in electric motor theory including electromagnetic design, thermal management, and mechanical design.
Proficiency with motor design and simulation software (e.g., FEMM, ANSYS Maxwell, or equivalent).
Experience with CAD tools for mechanical design (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA).
Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
Authorized to work in the United States.
Preferred qualifications
Experience designing brushless DC motors, actuators, or similar electromechanical devices.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes for motor components and assemblies.
Hands-on experience with prototype testing and validation.
Familiarity with drone or robotics industry requirements and standards.
U.S. drone motors and actuators manufacturer
Westmag designs and manufactures drone motors and robot actuators in the United States, starting with Factory 01 in South San Francisco, and runs an integrated production platform that automatically winds, assembles, and tests these motion components. Its products are the power sources for aerial drones, humanoid robots, and other autonomous systems, providing the “muscle” for physical AI. The company differentiates itself by onshoring production and pursuing vertical integration across design, manufacturing, and the supply chain, including upstream work like steel stamping and magnet finishing to gain cost control and reduce foreign dependence. Westmag’s goal is to scale to high-volume production—serving hundreds of thousands to millions of motors and actuators annually for domestic and allied customers while expanding a standardized product catalog for lower-volume buyers and ensuring a reliable US-sourced supply.
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