Mechanical Engineer, Dynamometer and Actuator Testing Infrastructure

📋 Job Overview

Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world settings. Working across the entire model stack, we integrate cutting-edge hardware and software to explore a broad range of robotic form factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples’ lives.

🏢 About OpenAI

OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory that aims to develop and direct artificial intelligence research towards highly beneficial ends. We are committed to ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.

🎯 The Role

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and own the mechanical side of our robotic actuator dynamometer and test infrastructure. You will create the test stands, couplings, fixtures, load paths, guarding, and serviceable lab hardware that enable rigorous characterization of robotic actuators.

✅ Key Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical architecture of dynamometer and actuator test cells, including frames, bases, load paths, alignment, guarding, and serviceability.
• Design dynamometer structures, robotic actuator fixtures, load-motor mounts, couplings, shafts, bearings, adapters, and torque-reaction hardware.
• Translate robotic actuator test requirements into robust mechanical systems for torque, speed, thermal, durability, backdrive, efficiency, and failure testing.
• Perform first-principles analysis and simulation for stiffness, strength, fatigue, vibration, thermal growth, critical speed, and safety factors.
• Create precise, repeatable alignment strategies that protect test articles, load machines, sensors, and couplings.
• Design modular fixturing that supports rapid changeover across actuator and motor variants without compromising measurement quality.
• Work closely with electrical engineers on cable routing, enclosures, cooling, sensor packaging, and test-cell safety interfaces.
• Work closely with software and controls engineers to define mechanical limits, safe operating envelopes, and automated-test constraints.
• Build, assemble, debug, and improve test stands in the lab, using measurement and fabrication tools directly.
• Develop guarding, containment, pinch-point mitigation, hard stops, and other mechanical safety systems for high-energy rotating equipment.
• Manage fabrication partners and vendors for machined parts, weldments, bearings, couplings, sensors, and test-stand components.
• Establish drawings, tolerance stacks, assembly procedures, inspection plans, and preventive-maintenance practices.
• Use test observations and failure analysis to continuously improve durability, usability, uptime, and measurement fidelity.

📌 Required Qualifications

• Have strong intuition for load paths, stiffness, alignment, rotating machinery, and the practical behavior of real hardware.
• Enjoy designing fixtures and structures that are precise, robust, safe, and easy for others to use.
• Are highly hands-on and comfortable assembling, aligning, instrumenting, and debugging test equipment.
• Can move fluidly between first-principles analysis, CAD, vendor collaboration, and lab iteration.
• Care about details such as tolerances, runout, resonance, thermal growth, guarding, and serviceability.
• Are comfortable working in fast-moving environments with evolving test needs and aggressive technical goals.
• Take ownership of the full test-stand lifecycle, from concept through reliable daily operation.
• Communicate clearly across mechanical, electrical, controls, software, safety, and operations teams.
• Are motivated by building infrastructure that reveals how advanced robotic actuators really perform.
• Are excited to build mechanical test infrastructure that accelerates robotic actuator development.

⭐ Desirable Experience

• Preferred qualifications

🎁 Benefits

Base pay: $225K – $318K • Offers Equity

The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. If the role is non-exempt, overtime pay will be provided consistent with applicable laws. In addition to the salary range listed above, total compensation also includes generous equity, performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
More details about our benefits are available to candidates during the hiring process.

This role is at-will and OpenAI reserves the right to modify base pay and other compensation components at any time based on individual performance, team or company results, or market conditions.

🛂 Visa & Eligibility