Full-Time

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Robotic Hardware

Horizon Surgical Systems

Horizon Surgical Systems

51-200 employees

Assistive surgical robotics for ophthalmic procedures

Compensation Overview

$110k - $185k/yr

Los Angeles, CA, USA

In Person

Requires 5 days in office; commute to Santa Monica/Malibu offices as needed.

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Mechanical Engineering
Required Skills
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design
Mechatronics
Python
GD&T
MATLAB
C/C++
SolidWorks

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Requirements
  • Preferred: B.S.+10/M.S.+8 YOE in robot product development.
  • Minimum: B.S.+5/M.S.+3 YOE in robot product development.
  • Ph.D. research on robot mechanism design and robotic hardware development may substitute for industry experience.
  • Degrees should be in mechanical / electrical / mechatronics / biomedical / robotics engineering, material science, or computer science.
  • Must have previously developed, from concept to at least functional prototype, multi-DOF robotic systems.
  • Staff/Principal levels expected to have personally developed non-traditional multi-DOF robotic systems (not 6/7 DOF industrial arm, SCARA, gimbal, XYZ stage, etc).
  • Expertise in hardware design of robotic mechanisms.
  • Experience with novel or unusual kinematic structures
  • Deep mechanical design expertise of linear and rotary joints
  • Familiarity with a wide range of transmission mechanisms
  • Experience with robotic components from a wide range of vendors
  • Proficiency at simulation and analysis of robotic kinematics, dynamics, and workspace
  • Working knowledge of electrical design, including basic PCB design, component selection, and wiring.
  • Design in compliance with FDA guidelines
  • CAD - SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, GD&T.
  • Hands-on prototyping, debugging, and testing.
  • Sufficient programming ability in languages/software such as Python, MATLAB, or C/C++ to design, test, and analyze performance of developed hardware systems.
Responsibilities
  • Lead and participate in teams, and work independently, to develop the electro-mechanical subsystems of a complete surgical robotic system.
  • Adhere and contribute to design standards, the Quality Management System, and project planning.
  • Apply all available tools, software, training, and experience to effectively analyze and solve engineering problems, mitigate potential risks, and maximize system functionality and safety.
  • Assist and cooperate with other teams and colleagues to find solutions to interdisciplinary challenges inherent in complex robot system development.
  • Commute to, and work on-site, at our Santa Monica or Malibu-based offices as needed. This is a 5-days-in-office position.
  • Effectively communicate and present to upper management, within and between teams, and to external parties.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience designing robotic systems to pass IEC 60601-1-2
  • Ability to incorporate aesthetics into functional designs
  • Innovative and creative thinking
  • Experience with remote-center-of-motion mechanisms and haptic devices
Horizon Surgical Systems

Horizon Surgical Systems

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Horizon Surgical Systems develops assistive surgical robotics for eye surgery, led by its Polaris system. Polaris combines robotic manipulation, advanced medical imaging, and artificial intelligence to help ophthalmologists perform delicate microsurgeries with greater precision. The product works by guiding and automating robotic tools during eye procedures, using real-time imaging and AI-driven analysis to enhance accuracy and safety, particularly in cataract surgery. The company differentiates itself by focusing specifically on ophthalmic microsurgery, integrating robotics with high-quality imaging and AI in a way that supports surgeons and expands access to eye care. Its goal is to improve surgical outcomes for patients, advance microsurgical capabilities, and bring this technology to medical institutions through sales and licensing.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Series A

Total Funding

$30M

Headquarters

Malibu, California

Founded

2021

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Horizon closed a $30 million Series A in October 2024 from strong backers.
  • The company reports 500,000-plus training images, improving Polaris AI performance and surgeon workflow.
  • Rajesh Rajpal's 2026 recognition signals active leadership and supports clinical partnership building.

What critics are saying

  • No public first-in-human data exists; 2024 Series A must fund validation quickly.
  • Any FDA delay or adverse event around Polaris stalls commercialization and damages trust.
  • Better-capitalized giants can copy eye-specific robotics, compressing Horizon's window before 2027.

What makes Horizon Surgical Systems unique

  • Polaris targets cataract surgery with eye-specific robotics, not generic operating-room automation.
  • Ten years of R&D, 1,000-plus preclinical procedures, and 26 patents build defensibility.
  • Rajesh Rajpal joined in September 2025, strengthening clinical and regulatory credibility.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Hours

Remote Work Options

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Sabbatical Leave

Hybrid Work Options

Stock Options

Company Equity

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Performance Bonus

Profit Sharing

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Relocation Assistance

Employee Referral Bonus

Student Loan Assistance

Parental Leave

Family Planning Benefits

Fertility Treatment Support

Adoption Assistance

Childcare Support

Elder Care Support

Pet Insurance

Bereavement Leave

Professional Development Budget

Conference Attendance Budget

Training Programs

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Certification Support

Mentorship Program

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Gym Membership

Commuter Benefits

Meal Benefits

Phone/Internet Stipend

Home Office Stipend

Legal Services

Employee Discounts

Company Social Events

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

6%
Standard-Journal
Sep 23rd, 2025
Horizon Surgical Systems Appoints Rajesh K. Rajpal, MD as Chief Strategy and Medical Officer

Horizon Surgical Systems, a leader in robotic platforms for eye surgery, today announced the appointment of Rajesh K. Rajpal, MD as its Chief Strategy and Medical Officer (CSO & CMO).

WTWH Media LLC
Jan 6th, 2025
Eight Knot secures $3.8M in funding

In October 2024, robotics investments reached $7.4 billion across 77 funding rounds, led by Waymo's $5.6 billion raise, marking the largest single round of the year. The total investment from January to October 2024 exceeded $20 billion. Autonomous driving tech companies dominated, with significant investments in Waymo, WeRide ($320 million), and Didi Woya ($298 million). The U.S. and China led in investment rounds, with the U.S. securing $6.4 billion and China $873 million.

Business Wire
Oct 18th, 2024
Horizon Surgical Systems Raises $30 Million in Series A Financing

Horizon Surgical Systems, Inc., a privately-held, micro-robotics company advancing microsurgery with automated AI-enabled robotics, announced the clos

Business Wire
Oct 18th, 2024
Horizon Surgical Systems Raises $30 Million in Series A Financing

Horizon Surgical Systems, Inc., a privately-held, micro-robotics company advancing microsurgery with automated AI-enabled robotics, announced the clos

Modern Healthcare
Oct 17th, 2024
Digital health funding: Magic Johnson invests in HIV startup

Horizon Surgical Systems, a surgical robotics company focused on eye surgery, closed a $30 million Series A funding round.