---
title: 'Robotics Systems Intern at Astera Institute'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/robotics-systems-intern-astera-institute-emeryville-m35s8wd1mvdg'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-03'
---

# Robotics Systems Intern at Astera Institute

- **Company:** Astera Institute
- **Location:** Emeryville, CA
- **Compensation:** $40/hr
- **Employment:** internship
- **Posted:** 2026-10-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-03
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera/59578b73-571f-462d-a3d2-5f19b1ee6ed8

## Job description

Wheeled Platforms & Lifting Systems Emeryville, California | Internship Proposed base compensation. Final terms are subject to Astera’s hiring process.

## About Astera

Astera Institute is a private foundation supporting ambitious work in science and technology through grants, investments, and in-house research. Its research programs combine the pace and autonomy of a startup with the freedom to pursue difficult scientific questions. Learn more about Astera’s mission at [astera.org/vision](http://astera.org/vision).

## About the Robotics Lab

We are building a frontier robotics lab at Astera Institute. We believe neuroscience and AI will converge in embodied intelligence: animals and robots face shared challenges of perceiving their surroundings, navigating, manipulating objects, and using memory and reasoning to accomplish tasks in the physical world. Robotics provides a powerful testbed for investigating how biological neural circuits solve these challenges and for developing AI systems that turn perception, learning, and cognition into effective action. Our strategy starts with making robots useful, while developing a mechanistic understanding of how neural circuits can generate intelligent behavior. We aim to continually expand the repertoire of behaviors a robot can perform reliably in real environments, while improving its ability to learn new skills, adapt to changing conditions, and recover from failure. These practical capabilities provide both measurable outcomes and a foundation for investigating deeper principles of intelligence. Wheeled robotic platforms are one of the embodiments we use to test neural-circuit models and AI systems as we work toward general embodied intelligence. We have already demonstrated indoor navigation on a simple differential-drive platform. We are now expanding this work to evaluate other wheel and drivetrain configurations, along with lifting systems that allow robots to adjust their working height. Position Summary Help us build and compare the systems that allow robots to move and adjust their working height. Under engineering mentorship, you will prototype wheeled mobile bases and lifting platforms, run hands-on experiments, and evaluate how different designs perform under realistic operating conditions. Starting with our existing hoverboard hub motors and other motorized wheel hardware, you will help explore different wheel and drivetrain configurations. You will also help develop and evaluate lifting platforms, comparing commercially available mechanisms and custom prototypes. Your work will help the team select practical designs based on measured performance, reliability, cost, and ease of integration. Core Responsibilities

- Evaluate wheeled platforms. Assemble and modify mobile bases using hoverboard hub motors, hub motor wheels, and conventional motor-driven wheel assemblies. Help design and fabricate chassis, mounts, and supporting components. Compare navigation performance of different systems.
- Compare wheel and drivetrain configurations. Develop repeatable tests to evaluate maneuverability, low-speed motion, traction, payload handling, power consumption, steerability and general performance across relevant floor surfaces.
- Prototype lifting platforms. Help assemble, adapt, and test different lifting mechanisms, such as scissor lifts and telescoping lifting columns. Integrate actuators, guides, mounts, and supporting structures.
- Evaluate lifting performance. Compare lifting range, speed, positioning repeatability, rigidity, and stability under defined loads. Investigate vibration, mechanical play, and other issues that affect reliable operation.
- Integrate controls and measurements. Configure motor controllers, connect position and speed feedback, and develop simple control and data-collection scripts. Help implement travel limits, homing, and coordinated motion under engineering supervision.
- Document comparisons and improve designs. Maintain CAD files, wiring diagrams, parts lists, and test records. Summarize tradeoffs and work with engineers to refine promising designs.
- Keep experimental hardware ready. Organize components, tools, and spares; maintain prototypes and test fixtures; and assist with equipment inspections, repairs, and experiment setup.

Required Qualifications

- Coursework, projects, or practical experience in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, or a related discipline.
- Experience building and troubleshooting a physical system through coursework, research, student teams, or personal projects.
- Basic familiarity with mechanical assembly, electrical wiring, motors, and sensors.
- Interest in hands-on prototyping and systematic testing, including careful measurement and documentation.
- Comfort working with an engineering mentor and contributing to the upkeep of a shared robotics lab.

## Preferred Experience

- CAD, 3D printing, machining, or fabrication of mechanical prototypes.
- BLDC motors, motor controllers, encoders, wheeled robots, or drivetrain design.
- Linear actuators, screw drives, scissor lifts, lifting columns, or other positioning mechanisms.
- Python, C/C++, microcontrollers, or basic feedback control.
- Building test fixtures, collecting experimental data, or comparing hardware designs.

Prior experience with every technology listed is not expected. We value curiosity, practical problem-solving, and an interest in understanding how different mechanical systems perform through real experiments.

## About Astera Institute

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Astera Institute is a nonprofit organization that funds and conducts high-impact scientific research and engineering projects focused on neuroscience, artificial general intelligence (AGI), and open science to accelerate positive futures for humanity.
- **Entity Type**: Private nonprofit (501(c)(3) private foundation)
- **Headquarters**: Berkeley, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Jed McCaleb (also co-founder of Stellar Development Foundation and founder of Vast)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Research services, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, life sciences, grantmaking
- **Target customers**: Not applicable (nonprofit; serves the research community and the public through open science and foundational advances)
- **Mission / purpose**: Empower visionary, high-leverage science and technology projects with the capacity to create transformative progress for human civilization. Focus on areas like AGI, science, and climate that lack natural homes in the existing innovation ecosystem.

## Products & Services
Astera operates three main divisions (not commercial products):
- **Neuro & AGI**: Directed neuroscience and AI research effort to understand biological intelligence and engineer safe, successful general intelligence systems. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- **Radial**: Life sciences research division that funds and runs high-impact fundamental scientific challenges, testing new models for how science is conducted. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- **Foundation**: Centralized operational, financial support, and ecosystem-building for Neuro-AI, Science, and Strategic Investments. Also leads Residency and Fellowship programs. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit)
- **Key Metrics**: 
  - **Total assets** (2023): $2,003,858,714 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
  - **Total expenses** (2023): $27,504,754 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
  - **Investment income and dividends** (2023): $58,598,494 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
  - **Headcount**: 55 employees (+63.4% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Funded primarily by founder Jed McCaleb (grants contributed $131M in 2022). Key leaders include Prachee Avasthi (Head of Open Science), Doris Tsao (Chief Scientist – Neuro), Seemay Chou (CEO – Radial), and Dileep George (Co-Founder, Neuro & AGI). [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - 63.4% employee growth year-over-year (55 people) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
  - 23 active job postings (up 1050% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
  - LinkedIn followers grew 128.9% yearly [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
  - Presence in Netherlands and United Kingdom [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique model**: Nonprofit foundation that internally incubates and directly funds high-risk, high-leverage research across neuroscience, AI, and life sciences — without the pressure of commercial returns.
- **Top-tier leadership**: Led by accomplished scientists (e.g., Doris Tsao, Dileep George) and experienced operators from organizations like Stellar, Google, and Arcadia Science. [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/)
- **Open science focus**: Strong commitment to open access research and new models for scientific collaboration, attracting talent who value transparency and impact.
- **Substantial capital base**: Over $2B in assets provides long-term runway for ambitious, multi-year projects.

## Strategic Focus
- Deepen understanding of biological intelligence through large-scale neural circuit analysis and causal manipulation (Neuro & AGI). [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- Continue incubation of radical science projects via Radial, particularly in aging, biotech, and platforms. [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
- Expand the Residency and Fellowship programs to attract diverse scientific and engineering talent. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- Scale operations and hiring: current job postings span roles from vivarium operations manager to research scientists in energy-based models and distributed simulation systems. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera)

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to foundational research that could reshape humanity’s future with AGI and novel science.
- **Benefits**: Full-time W2 employees receive top-tier medical/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plans, long-term disability plan, health/dependent-care FSAs, and commuter pre-tax accounts. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/)
- **Culture**: Described as an equal opportunity employer committed to equity and inclusion, encouraging diverse applicants. Emphasis on open science, experimentation, and high-leverage impact. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/)
- **Work setup**: Headquarters in Berkeley, CA; also has staff in the Netherlands and UK. Specific remote/hybrid policy not disclosed but multiple job postings suggest flexible arrangements.
- **Team composition**: Highly technical and research-oriented (21 researchers, 10 technical staff, 6 medical). Staff previously from Google, Stanford, UCSF, Arcadia Science, Relay Therapeutics. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
- **Rapid growth**: 63% YoY headcount increase and 1050% growth in job postings signal an expanding organization with ample career opportunities.

## Sources
1. [astera.org](https://astera.org/) – Homepage and division descriptions
2. [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/) – Leadership team details
3. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/) – Benefits and culture
4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) – Company page with headcount, growth, job postings, and talent sources
5. [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/) – Financials (990-PF: revenues, expenses, assets, program areas)
6. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera) – Active open positions list

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