--- title: 'Mechanical Engineer at Lightspeed' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-lightspeed-northbrook-yqf4rprszy0s' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-15' --- # Mechanical Engineer at Lightspeed - **Company:** Lightspeed - **Location:** Northbrook, IL - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-10-02 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-15 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/lightspeed/b140e311-40be-4391-b3fe-3701555ba2b4 ## Job description ## About LightSpeed LightSpeed Build Technologies is revolutionizing the construction industry through AI-powered robotics. Our flagship systems—BRUTE for automated wall panel manufacturing and DEX for on-site collaborative construction—are addressing the global housing crisis by delivering unprecedented speed, precision, and affordability in homebuilding. Reports to: Lead Hardware & Robotics Engineer Position Overview As a Mechanical Engineer, you will create the mechanical designs, CAD models, and engineering documentation that bring LightSpeed’s robotic systems from concept to production reality. You will work at the intersection of industrial design, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing, producing detailed assemblies, fabrication drawings, and design packages for our BRUTE and DEX robotic platforms, custom end effectors, fixtures, and automated manufacturing equipment. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who thinks in 3D and loves turning ideas into buildable, manufacturable hardware. You will own detailed, production-ready design while also bringing a creative, unconventional approach to the work: questioning how things have always been done, drawing on ideas from outside construction, and finding new solutions to problems no one has solved before. Alongside our construction systems, you’ll design end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) and integrate a dexterous robotic hand, taking hardware from interface spec and mock-up through detailed design, build, and bench test on a fast, milestone-driven schedule, working closely with our robot learning, perception, and technician teams. ## Key Responsibilities EOAT & Robotic Hand Development - Define mechanical interface specs for end-of-arm tooling, including robot mounting, tool changers, cable and hose routing, and sensor and camera mounts - Build fast mock-ups (3D printed or roughly fabricated) to check fit, reach, clearance, and camera placement before detailed design - Take EOAT designs from mock-up to frozen detailed design, then through build, assembly, and bench testing - Support procurement and bench bring-up of a third-party dexterous robotic hand, including mounting, mechanical integration, and protection for real-world use - Design rigid, repeatable camera and sensor mounts in partnership with the perception engineer, so camera placement and calibration hold up on new tools - Design and refine hardware for the teleoperation rig, such as leader-arm fixtures, mounts, and operator station components - Write bench test plans, record results, and iterate quickly based on what the hardware shows - Design tooling for maintainability and fast swaps of wear parts, fingertips, and sensors CAD Design & Modeling - Create detailed 3D CAD models and assemblies for robotic systems and manufacturing equipment in Onshape - Develop parametric models enabling rapid iteration for different deployment configurations - Produce production-ready engineering drawings with complete GD&T, tolerances, and material specs - Design custom end effectors, grippers, fixtures, and tooling for automated construction tasks - Maintain organized CAD libraries, part numbering systems, and revision control, using Onshape’s branching, versioning, and release management workflows Design for Manufacturing - Design components optimized for CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and 3D printing - Develop BOMs, assembly instructions, and manufacturing documentation packages - Collaborate with machinists, fabricators, and contract manufacturers on feasibility and cost - Support CAD-to-CAM workflows for in-house and outsourced fabrication Engineering Analysis & Validation - Perform FEA and structural analysis to validate designs under operational loads - Conduct tolerance stack-up analysis for precision mechanical assemblies - Support physical prototype testing and iterate based on real-world performance - Research and specify materials, fasteners, bearings, linear guides, and commercial components BIM & Construction Integration - Work with BIM models and construction drawings to understand panel designs and building requirements - Translate construction specifications into mechanical design requirements for robotic systems - Support integration between CAD workflows and BIM-to-manufacturing data pipelines Creative Problem Solving - Challenge conventional approaches by questioning requirements and assumptions before jumping to a solution - Generate unconventional concepts for mechanisms, end effectors, and system architectures, drawing inspiration from other industries and technologies - Rapidly prototype and test bold ideas, treating early failures as fast learning rather than setbacks - Provide early-stage design input to cross-functional teams on feasibility, alternatives, and trade-offs - Contribute fresh ideas and alternative approaches during design reviews - Stay current on robotics, automation, and construction-tech trends, and bring relevant ideas back to the team Required Qualifications CAD & Design Skills - 3+ years professional mechanical design using parametric CAD tools - Advanced proficiency in Onshape, or deep expertise in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or Inventor with the ability to transition to Onshape quickly - Strong understanding of GD&T and engineering drawing standards - Experience producing complete manufacturing documentation: drawings, BOMs, assembly procedures - Portfolio demonstrating design for manufacturability and engineering judgment, as well as original concept development, including examples of solving a problem in an unexpected way Manufacturing Knowledge - Hands-on understanding of CNC machining, sheet metal, welding, and 3D printing - Experience specifying materials and commercial hardware for assemblies - Understanding of tolerance analysis and fit systems for precision assemblies - Familiarity with rapid prototyping and iterative design processes Robotics Hardware Experience - Experience designing end effectors, grippers, or tooling for industrial or collaborative robot arms - Hands-on experience building, assembling, and bench testing electromechanical assemblies - Ability to hit fixed hardware milestones by making practical trade-offs between speed and polish ## Preferred Qualifications - Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, or related field - Experience designing robotic systems, automated equipment, or industrial machinery - Experience integrating third-party robotic hands, grippers, actuators, or tool changers - Experience mounting cameras and sensors for robotic vision systems - Familiarity with robot tool flange standards (e.g., ISO 9409) and quick-change tooling - Exposure to teleoperation systems or data collection for robot learning - Experience designing tooling for tight, hard-to-reach work spaces - Background in construction, prefabrication, or building component design - FEA experience with SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or equivalent - Experience with sheet metal design and weldment features in CAD - Familiarity with BIM software (Revit, ArchiCAD) and construction documentation - Startup or fast-paced product development environment experience - Experience across multiple industries, or a background that brings an outside perspective to construction ## Why Join LightSpeed - See your designs become physical robots that build homes and address the housing crisis - Full access to machine shop, prototyping equipment, and cutting-edge CAD/CAM tools - Hands-on engineering culture where designers build, test, and iterate alongside the team - Room to pitch and test bold ideas in a hands-on environment - Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits Employment Relationship This position is at-will, meaning either you or the Company may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice. ## Equal Opportunity LightSpeed Build Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences. ## About Lightspeed ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Lightspeed uses robotics and AI to manufacture precision-engineered panels and components for residential construction, aiming to build homes faster, smarter, and more affordably. - **Entity Type**: Private (Startup) - **Headquarters**: Northbrook, Illinois, United States - **Founded**: Not publicly available (likely 2023-2024 based on current operations) - **Founders**: Biju Kulathakal (serial entrepreneur behind Redbox and Halo Investing) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Construction Technology (Contech), Robotics, AI-Powered Manufacturing - **Target customers**: Homebuilders, real estate developers, construction firms (B2B) - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Housing for All" — building homes smarter, faster, and more affordable with robotics and AI. ## Products & Services - **BRUTE Robotic System**: A robotic system designed for heavy-duty construction tasks, targeting a 50% reduction in build time versus traditional methods. - **DEX Robotic System**: A precision robotic system for detailed assembly and finishing work. - **AI-Powered Design & Engineering**: Proprietary AI algorithms that analyze architectural drawings to automatically generate optimized construction sequences, material lists, and robotic instructions. - **Precision-Engineered Panels**: Prefabricated wall and floor panels manufactured to tight tolerances, enabling faster on-site assembly and reduced errors. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Not publicly available (likely pre-revenue or early-stage; funding status unknown) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Founder Biju Kulathakal previously founded Redbox and Halo Investing, suggesting strong investor connections, but no specific investors are named for Lightspeed. - **Growth Signals**: The company is actively hiring (careers page on Ashby), signaling growth. They claim to target 70% reduction in construction errors, 20-30% labor cost savings, and 25% reduction in material waste. ## Competitive Advantages - **Robotic Precision**: Claims tolerances "impossible with manual framing" — a significant differentiator in an industry where quality varies widely. - **Founder Credibility**: Biju Kulathakal has a proven track record building Redbox (a massive kiosk network) and Halo Investing (a fintech platform), suggesting ability to scale. - **Integrated AI-to-Robotics Pipeline**: Full vertical integration from architectural drawing analysis to robotic manufacturing, reducing human error and rework. - **Sustainability Angle**: Precision manufacturing reduces construction waste by ~25%, aligning with ESG trends in real estate. ## Strategic Focus - **Offsite Construction**: The company is riding the McKinsey-predicted trend that 20% of homes will be built offsite in the US by 2030. - **Speed & Labor Reduction**: Core value prop is cutting build time in half and reducing labor dependency — critical as construction labor shortages worsen. - **Scaling Manufacturing**: Likely focused on expanding production capacity at their Northbrook facility and proving the technology with initial clients. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-Driven**: "Housing for All" offers a tangible social impact — helping solve the housing affordability crisis through technology. - **Founder Led**: Working directly with a serial entrepreneur who has scaled companies to national prominence. - **Cutting-Edge Tech**: Hands-on work with robotics, computer vision, AI, and advanced manufacturing — appealing for engineers and operators. - **Early-Stage Impact**: As a likely early-stage company, employees can wear multiple hats and shape the product and culture from the ground up. - **Location**: Northbrook, IL (northern suburb of Chicago) offers a suburban office environment with access to Chicago's talent pool. - **Work Policy**: Not explicitly stated, but the nature of robotics manufacturing suggests a strong on-site presence for hardware roles. **Note**: There is a separate, publicly traded company called Lightspeed Commerce (NYSE: LSPD, TSX: LSPD) that provides POS and e-commerce software. This profile is for Lightspeed (lightspeed.build), the robotics construction startup. Do not confuse the two. ## Sources 1. [lightspeed.build](https://lightspeed.build/) 2. [lightspeed.build/about-us](https://lightspeed.build/about-us) 3. [lightspeed.build/contact-us](https://lightspeed.build/contact-us) 4. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/lightspeed](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/lightspeed) ## Other roles at Lightspeed - [Residential Design & Preconstruction Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/residential-design-preconstruction-specialist-lightspeed-northbrook-a8sy1bxmccqz) — Northbrook, IL - [Perception Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/perception-engineer-lightspeed-northbrook-eq8c65rv5zn9) — Northbrook, IL - [Robot Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/robot-learning-engineer-lightspeed-northbrook-ham4vyk6erde) — Northbrook, IL - [Robotics Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/robotics-technician-lightspeed-northbrook-5wf4e39h7kre) — Northbrook, IL - [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-etched-san-jose-42w9x3hmtqtj) — San Jose, CA - [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-tutor-intelligence-watertown-5j8xn13pk2v8) — Watertown, MA - [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-havocai-north-kingstown-afzr55xbc0q6) — North Kingstown, RI - [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-atomic-machines-emeryville-or-santa-clara-7219y23nk393) — Emeryville OR Santa Clara, CA - [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-voyager-technologies-inc-san-diego-gq9fd1gr295k) — San Diego, CA - [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-critical-loop-long-beach-erqr8p9a7mex) — Long Beach, CA