Senior Electrical Engineer - Actuators & Drives
Kind Humanoid
Job description
About 1X
We’re an AI and robotics company based in Palo Alto, California, on a mission to build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously.
We believe that to truly understand the world and grow in intelligence, humanoid robots must live and learn alongside us. That’s why we’re focused on developing friendly home robots designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life.
We’re looking for curious, driven, and passionate people who want to help shape the future of robotics and AI. If this mission excites you, we’d be thrilled to hear from you and explore how you might contribute to our journey.
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Electrical Engineer to help design, develop, and scale electrical systems for advanced robotic platforms. This is a generalist electrical engineering role with opportunities to work across power, sensing, embedded systems, and system architecture, with a strong focus on robotic actuators and motor drive systems.
In this role, you will take ownership of critical electrical subsystems from early architecture and component selection through schematic design, layout review, bring-up, and production support. You will work closely with mechanical, firmware, controls, and test engineers to deliver robust, high-performance, and manufacturable systems.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys operating across abstraction layers, balancing hands-on execution with system-level thinking, and contributing to technically ambitious products.
Responsibilities
Own the electrical design of key subsystems across robotic platforms, from concept through production
Define electrical architectures that balance performance, reliability, safety, cost, and manufacturability
Design, review, and debug schematics and PCBs, including power, sensing, and control electronics
Bring up and validate prototypes and production-intent hardware using lab equipment
Collaborate closely with firmware, controls, and mechanical engineers to enable high-performance systems
Support EMI/ESD, safety, and reliability requirements throughout the design process
Drive electrical design best practices, documentation, and design reviews
Work with manufacturing and test teams to support DFM/DFA, production ramp, and field issues
Contribute to technical decision-making at both system and detailed implementation levels
Job requirements
Requirements
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
5+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering (senior/staff level depending on experience)
Strong fundamentals in analog and digital circuit design
Experience designing and debugging real hardware, from schematic to PCB to bring-up
Familiarity with power systems, sensors, and embedded electronics
Hands-on experience with lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, etc.)
Understanding of EMI/ESD considerations and robust hardware design practices
Experience collaborating across disciplines (mechanical, firmware, controls, test, manufacturing)
Ability to take ownership of complex technical problems and drive them to completion
Nice to Have (Actuators & Drives Focus)
Experience designing motor drive systems, including power electronics and motor interfaces
Familiarity with robotic actuators or electromechanical systems
Understanding of motor types, sensors (encoders, current sensing), and control requirements
Experience with high-power or high-current electronics
Exposure to mass manufacturing electronics and production ramp-up
Experience with safety-critical or high-reliability systems
Knowledge of thermal design and fault-tolerant architectures
Basic familiarity with mechanical CAD or close collaboration with mechanical design
Benefits & Compensation
Salary Range: $125,000 – $187,700
Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid time off and holidays
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, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
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