---
title: 'Senior Camera Hardware Engineer, Robot Head at 1X'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-camera-hardware-engineer-robot-head-1x-san-carlos-6nd15fr7sgc3'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-08'
---

# Senior Camera Hardware Engineer, Robot Head at 1X

- **Company:** [1X](https://feeny.ai/companies/1x)
- **Location:** San Carlos, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/1x/99980e95-f006-46bf-9ecb-d37161291a92

## Job description

## About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not. To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us. NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you. If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.

## About the Team

The Vision Hardware team develops the imaging systems that enable NEO to perceive and understand the world. We design, integrate, validate, and optimize camera modules that provide high-quality visual data for perception, navigation, manipulation, and human interaction. Working closely with Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Manufacturing teams, you'll help deliver robust camera systems that perform reliably across millions of operating hours in real-world environments.

## Your Charter

Develop and validate the vision hardware that powers NEO's perception. You will own camera module validation from early prototype bring-up through qualification and mass production. Your work will establish objective image quality standards, define validation methodologies, and ensure camera systems consistently meet demanding performance, reliability, and manufacturing requirements.

## Key Outcomes

- Define and execute comprehensive validation strategies for camera modules, image sensors, and complete vision systems
- Characterize optical, electrical, and system-level camera performance across robotic operating conditions
- Develop image quality specifications, validation methodologies, and objective performance metrics
- Design calibration procedures and manufacturing test processes for high-volume production
- Lead camera hardware bring-up from prototype through production qualification
- Partner with Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering teams to optimize complete imaging system performance
- Collaborate with suppliers to ensure camera modules consistently meet design, quality, and manufacturing requirements

## Key Competencies

- Deep understanding of camera system architecture, optics, sensors, and image quality evaluation
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop objective validation methodologies and performance metrics
- Hands-on engineering mindset with experience debugging, validating, and optimizing complex hardware systems
- Excellent collaboration across multidisciplinary engineering teams and external suppliers
- Strong ownership mindset with the ability to independently drive complex hardware validation programs

## Minimum Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- 6+ years of experience developing, validating, or characterizing camera and imaging systems
- Deep understanding of camera technologies including image sensors, optics, lenses, image signal processors (ISP), and complete imaging pipelines
- Working knowledge of the electrical and mechanical integration of camera modules
- Experience programming with Python and C/C++
- Proficiency working in Linux environments
- Experience using image quality evaluation tools such as Imatest, Image Engineering, MATLAB, or equivalent
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work full-time onsite in San Carlos, CA

## Preferred Skills

- Experience developing stereo vision or multi-camera systems
- Experience validating and calibrating imaging systems for high-volume consumer electronics or robotics products
- Familiarity with camera manufacturing, production testing, and calibration workflows
- Experience working with computer vision and machine learning frameworks
- Experience collaborating directly with optical, sensor, and camera module suppliers
- Familiarity with production quality methodologies including qualification testing, statistical analysis, and manufacturing process validation

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like? Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect. Successful Camera Hardware Engineers combine deep expertise in imaging technology with a systems-level mindset. They enjoy solving complex hardware challenges that span optics, electronics, software, and manufacturing. They are equally comfortable designing rigorous validation methods, analyzing image quality, debugging hardware in the lab, and partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver production-ready vision systems that enable reliable robotic perception.

## Compensation Range

$175,950 - $225,000, plus equity.

## Benefits

- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
- 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
- Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
- Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
- Onsite snacks and catered lunches

## Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

## About 1X

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: 1X develops general-purpose humanoid robots for home and industrial environments, combining AI and hardware to automate everyday tasks.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B funding stage)
- **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Bernt Øyvind Børnich

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Robotics Engineering / Artificial Intelligence
- **Target customers**: B2C (home consumers via NEO) and B2B/Enterprise (industrial tasks via EVE)
- **Mission**: Build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously, allowing humans to focus on what they love.

## Products & Services
- **NEO**: A friendly home humanoid robot designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life and handle chores. Currently in early access after the NEO Beta (2024) and NEO Gamma (2025) iterations. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
- **EVE**: A wheeled industrial humanoid deployed in factories worldwide for autonomous industrial tasks. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
- **Revo1**: A high-torque-to-weight drive servo motor inspired by human tendon actuation, used in 1X robots. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
- **1X World Model**: A physics-grounded video model that enables NEO to learn autonomously from text or voice commands. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of $169M as of mid-2026, with a $100M Series B led by EQT Ventures in January 2024. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: EQT Ventures (lead), plus other investors in secondary rounds. Acquired Kind Humanoid in January 2025. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Headcount grew 121.2% YoY to 394 employees. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
  - Full-scale production of NEO began in Hayward, CA, with capacity to build 10,000 units per year. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
  - New Palo Alto HQ consolidated teams from Sunnyvale and Moss, Norway. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
  - Appointed Mohi Khansari as Head of Robot Learning (January 2026) and Vikram Kothari as VP of Operations (August 2025). [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertical integration**: Owns manufacturing in Hayward (U.S.) and Moss (Norway), controlling the full production stack.
- **Proprietary hardware**: Revo1 servo motor offers world-leading torque-to-weight ratio, enabling flexible, low-gear-ratio robotics.
- **AI-first approach**: The 1X World Model allows robots to learn physical tasks via simulation and self-supervised video prediction, reducing need for manual programming.
- **Early home deployment**: NEO is one of the first humanoid robots entering private homes, giving 1X real-world data and feedback loops.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling NEO production and expanding early access to more households across the U.S.
- Enhancing AI capabilities through the World Model and reinforcement learning (e.g., Redwood mobility controller).
- Building a robust supply chain and service network for home robots.
- Continuing enterprise deployments of EVE while shifting emphasis to the consumer market.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on building humanoid robots that coexist with humans. Strong emphasis on AI, hardware, and real-world impact.
- **Work model**: Likely on-site for hardware and AI roles (multiple offices in Palo Alto, San Carlos, Sunnyvale, Hayward, and Moss). Some software roles may offer flexibility.
- **Notable perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics and AI, contribute to a product (NEO) that is already entering homes, and be part of a rapidly scaling company with strong funding.
- **Engineering culture**: High concentration of talent from Tesla, Apple, Google, and SpaceX. Active research in biomechanics, reinforcement learning, and simulation. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
- **Open roles**: 65+ positions listed on the careers page across AI, hardware, software, operations, and manufacturing. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/careers)

## Sources
1. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
2. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/careers)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)

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