Almond

A dual-arm robot built for physical AI.

Founding Mechanical Engineer

$100K - $200K0.25% - 5.00%San Francisco, CA, US
Job type
Full-time
Role
Engineering, Mechanical
Experience
3+ years
Visa
US citizen/visa only
Skills
CAD Design
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Saba Khalilnaji
Saba Khalilnaji
CEO

About the role

Almond is building America's critical robot factory.

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to design, test, and implement key components for Axol and our data collection systems. You will turn prototypes into reliable, manufacturable products by iterating on early designs and key suppliers to ensure quality and reliability.

This role is ideal for an engineer excited about working across the full product lifecycle from whiteboard sketches and 3D CAD to testing, validation, and manufacturing.

What you’ll do:

  • Support the design and development of mechanical components and assemblies for our humanoid arm and data collection devices
  • Rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on designs to improve performance and reliability
  • Contribute to DFM/DFA efforts to ensure designs can scale from low-volume prototypes to production
  • Work with vendors and suppliers on prototyping, tooling, and production readiness
  • Perform basic analyses (tolerance, structural, thermal) to validate design decisions
  • Assist in documentation for design reviews, testing, and production release
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (electrical, software, industrial design) to integrate mechanical systems

Requirements:

  • Strong passion to build in America
  • Strong experience with sheet metal manufacturing (we rely heavily on SendCutSend).
  • 2–4+ years of mechanical engineering experience (internships and project work considered)
  • Strong skills in CAD (we use OnShape) and a familiarity with rapid prototyping techniques (3D printing, machining, etc.)
  • Understanding of DFM/DFA principles and interest in scaling prototypes to production
  • Hands-on problem-solving approach with ability to iterate quickly
  • Strong collaboration skills and comfort working in fast-paced startup environments
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Master’s a plus, but not required)
  • Have strong conviction in the idea that general purpose robots (humanoid-esque + AI) are inevitable and will soon take over the physical world

We are taking on a problem that requires extreme ownership and urgency.

About the interview

  1. Introductory call
  2. Phone Screen
  3. On-site interview

To apply, please submit:

  • Why you want to work at Almond
  • Your resume
  • The coolest thing you made out of sheet metal

to founders@almond.bot.

About Almond

Our mission is to free humans from physical labor with robotics.

We imagine a future where robots handle the essential, repetitive work and humans are free to create, connect, and pursue what truly matters to them.

To build that future we’re starting from the ground up with hardware. Our first product is a California-designed and assembled humanoid arm. Surrounding it, we’re developing advanced controls, intuitive data collection, and a full AI stack that makes deployment effortless in real industrial environments. We’re proving it on our own assembly line first.

Almond
Founded:2025
Batch:P25
Team Size:6
Status:
Active
Location:San Francisco
Founders
Saba Khalilnaji
Saba Khalilnaji
CEO
Shawn Patel
Shawn Patel
CTO