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