Senior Actuator Mechanical Design Engineer at Humanoid (Canada Vancouver, Canada)
Humanoid· Canada Vancouver, Canada·
Role details
Competitive Salary · Stock Option Plan · 23 Days Annual Leave · 15 Days Paid Sick Leave · Paid Company Holidays · Extended Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Virtual Care) · Employee And Family Assistance · Worldwide Emergency Medical Support
Humanoid at a glance
Humanoid builds commercially scalable, safe humanoid robots to automate labor-intensive industrial tasks in warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing.
Designs and builds general-purpose humanoid robots (the HMND 01 platform) that automate physical industrial tasks like goods handling, picking and packing, and kitting, orchestrated by an in-house AI fleet framework called KinetIQ.
Approximately $30M self-funded by founder Artem Sokolov; a ~$200M Series A was in talks as of early 2026 (not closed) raised · latest: Series A (in talks, ~$200M, no valuation set) as of February 2026 · backed by Artem Sokolov (founder, sole shareholder)
Summary
Design and develop key mechanical subsystems, including robotic joints, actuators, and structural assemblies, for humanoid robots. The role involves creating 3D CAD models, leading rapid prototyping, and collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure performance, reliability, and scalability.
Job description
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
About the Role
As a Senior Actuator Mechanical Design Engineer at Humanoid, you will own the design and development of robotic actuators to be integrated in robotic joints and dynamic mechanisms that enable humanoid mobility and manipulation. This role requires strong fundamentals in mechanical design, system integration, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5), as well as a passion for building complex hardware systems. You will collaborate closely with robotics, controls, electrical, and software teams to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy robotic actuators. Your work will directly influence the performance, reliability, and scalability of our humanoid robots.
What You’ll Do
- Size and design torque dense actuators for humanoid robots, being responsible for specification and integration of key components including motors, bearings, encoders, and drives
- Select appropriate reduction methods and develop innovative strain wave and planetary gearbox designs
- Create 3D CAD models and production drawings using SolidWorks / NX, applying GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to ensure precision and manufacturability
- Select materials and manufacturing methods that balance performance, weight, cost, and scalability
- Lead rapid prototyping and iteration, using tools such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and rapid fabrication
- Design components for high volume production, designing for processes like casting, injection moulding, and extrusion
- Work closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineers to integrate actuators and sensors into robotic platforms
- Conduct mechanical testing and validation to verify performance, durability, and system reliability
- Perform design reviews, risk assessments, and safety analysis to ensure robust robotic systems
- Generate and maintain technical documentation, including engineering drawings, specifications, and bill of materials (BOM)
- Own mechanical subsystems from concept through prototyping, testing, and deployment.
We’re Looking For
- 7+ years of professional experience in mechanical design for robotics, electromechanical systems, or complex hardware products
- 3+ years of professional experience designing planetary, cycloidal, or strain wave actuators
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field
- Strong fundamentals in mechanics, statics, dynamics, and material science
- Proficiency with SolidWorks, NX, or similar CAD tools
- Experience applying GD&T based on ASME Y14.5
- Experience designing precision mechanical assemblies or mechanisms
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and injection molding
- Hands-on experience building, assembling, and testing mechanical prototypes
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
Bonus Qualifications
- Experience using KISSsoft or RoMax to develop gearboxes
- Experience designing ball screw, lead screw, or roller screw actuators
- Experience working on humanoid, legged, or mobile robots
- Experience performing FEA or structural simulations
- Experience in the testing or thermal modelling of electric motors or gearboxes
- Experience in robotics, aerospace, automotive, or advanced hardware startups
What We Offer
- Comprehensive extended health benefits starting on your first day, including fully paid medical and dental, virtual care, employee and family assistance, and worldwide emergency medical support.
- Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), 15 days of paid sick leave, and paid company holidays.
- Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
- Free daily catered lunch, snacks, and drinks in‑office.
- Collaboration with top‑tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
- Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.
For this role in Vancouver, the expected base salary range is $120–$170 CAD per year; your placement in that range depends on how your experience maps to our internal leveling.
Why work at Humanoid
- High-growth environment: Company grew headcount by 139% in a single year, indicating rapid scaling and opportunity for career advancement. 65+ open roles suggest strong hiring momentum.
- Talent from top robotics firms: Team includes alumni from Boston Dynamics, Sanctuary AI, Dyson, Ocado Technology, Arrival, Wayve, and others — offering a deep learning and collaboration environment.
- Technical focus: Engineering and technical roles represent 38% of the workforce, with senior-level hires at 23% of the team. The company emphasizes hardware, AI, machine learning, and control systems.
- Mission-driven: Clear purpose to automate undesirable, unsafe, and repetitive work — appealing to candidates who want to make a tangible societal impact.
- Global presence: Offices in London (HQ), Cambridge (USA), and Burnaby (Canada), plus operations in 16 countries — offering potential for international mobility and remote collaboration.
- Innovation culture: Described as a place where engineers and researchers “move from demo to deployment” and “not just in the lab.” The CTO emphasizes building systems that perform in the real world from day one.
- Office/Hybrid policy: Not explicitly stated, but the company has physical offices in three countries and a distributed team across 16 nations — likely supports hybrid/remote with in-office collaboration for engineering roles.