Mechanical Engineer - Test Fixture Design

Role Name:

Department: Quality, Test & Validation

Location: San Carlos

About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in any space humans exist with the mission to create an abundance of labor. Simple, but it’s not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, software, hardware, manufacturing and operations at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship - a general purpose robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it, we're shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time safely creating abundance for all.

About the Team:

The Test & Validation team makes sure NEO can withstand the real-world conditions it will encounter in homes. We build and operate the test infrastructure, fixtures, and validation systems that allow engineering teams to understand how the robot performs, where it fails, and what needs to improve before it reaches customers.

As a Test Fixture Design Engineer, you’ll work at the intersection of mechanical design, test engineering, and hands-on hardware. You’ll design the fixtures that make rigorous, repeatable testing possible - from understanding the device under test and defining load paths to designing, manufacturing, assembling, and iterating the final hardware in the lab.

Your Charter:

Design and deliver the mechanical test fixtures that enable safe, accurate, and repeatable validation of NEO and its critical subsystems.

You’ll own fixture development end-to-end, from understanding the test objective and developing the initial concept through CAD, drawings, fabrication, assembly, test-cell installation, and iteration based on real-world test results. Your designs should be robust and easy to manufacture, while minimizing unnecessary complexity, cost, and test-induced artifacts.

Key Outcomes:

• Deliver production-ready mechanical test fixtures on schedule that enable Test & Validation to execute critical validation and reliability testing across NEO hardware.

• Develop fixture designs that provide the required strength, stiffness, accuracy, repeatability, and safety without introducing unwanted constraints or artifacts into test results.

• Own complete fixture design packages, including 3D CAD, 2D drawings, materials, tolerances, hardware, interfaces, and assembly requirements.

• Drive successful manufacturing handoff by working directly with internal fabrication teams and external vendors to resolve DFM issues, manage quotes and lead times, and deliver hardware to test schedules.

• Bring fixtures from CAD into the lab through hands-on assembly, fit checks, installation, and test setup, rapidly iterating designs based on test-cell feedback.

Key Competencies:

• Strong mechanical designer who can translate complex test requirements, interfaces, loads, and constraints into simple, robust fixture designs.

• Excellent CAD and engineering drawing skills with a strong understanding of tolerancing, materials, mechanical interfaces, and hardware.

• Practical understanding of manufacturing processes and DFM, with the judgment to balance performance, cost, lead time, and ease of assembly.

• Hands-on engineer who enjoys taking designs from CAD through fabrication and into a working test environment.

• Strong problem solver who can work from first principles and collaborate closely with Test, Design, Manufacturing, and external vendors.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.

• 2-4 years of experience designing mechanical test fixtures, assembly fixtures, tooling, or similar custom hardware.

• Strong 3D CAD and 2D engineering drawing skills, with experience designing parts and assemblies for machining, fabrication, or rapid prototyping.

• Experience working with internal machine shops or external manufacturing vendors to turn designs into physical hardware.

• Practical understanding of mechanical testing, including loads, load paths, fixturing, interfaces, and safe test setup.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing fixtures for robotics, electromechanical systems, automotive, aerospace, consumer hardware, or other complex physical products.

• Experience using hand calculations or FEA to evaluate fixture strength, stiffness, deflection, or dynamic behavior.

• Hands-on experience assembling and bringing up test fixtures in a laboratory or engineering environment.

• Experience integrating sensors, actuators, wiring, or instrumentation into mechanical test fixtures.

• Experience with vibration, mechanical actuation, thermal, or environmental testing.

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like:

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

Compensation Range:

$150,000- $170,000

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave

• 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options

• Commuter benefits (transit and parking)

• Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support

• Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.