Mechanical Engineer Position Overview

Simply stated: you will design and fabricate robots. Initially, mechanical engineers design small components that comprise larger robotic systems. These may include gearboxes, wheels, rotating joints, motor couplers, vibration dampeners, sensor housings, or many other types of mechanical components. After a brief period, engineers will be expected to design entire systems to a given set of specifications.

This role requires an exceptional grasp of physics and geometry. The majority of aRc systems operate in high-intensity and high-risk environments; our mechanical engineers have designed and fabricated robots that operate above 80 stories in midtown Manhattan. Among many other factors, they must plan for impulse loads due to wind shear and non-ideal material fatigue due to corrosion.

Engineers must understand fabrication processes and be able to design systems with manufacturing in mind. Candidates must have some direct experience with:

• CNC tools and 3D printing.
• Typical metalworking tools such as 3 and 4 mills, plasma cutter, lathe, miter saw, router, drill press, band saw, grinder, and sander as well as all typical hand tools.
• The majority of design work will occur in Fusion360.

Engineers usually participate in 3 distinct projects at a time and work in pairs.

Example Tasks

The list below is representative of tasks that would be asked within your first 3 months of working here:

• Design a 30:1 gear ratio that fits within XYZ volume and is able to couple to Motor A and Motor B, keeping in mind that Motor B may be switched with Motor C later.
• Shield the cables inside of this motor control box against EMF while minimizing additional weight and not compromising the electrical connection.
• Design padding and brackets so that this battery enclosure can be handled aggressively and in any orientation without risking a connection breakage or battery fire.
• Examine the provided surveying data on a geographic region and determine which tire size and tread combination will optimally allow our robot to traverse it.
• Determine the safe limits for the joints of this robotic system and design mechanical limit switch brackets that will trigger before those limits.
• Create a physical model that incorporates wind gusts to determine the minimum wall thickness needed by this AL-7075 tube to maintain a 15x safety factor.
• Design a 3-axis joint that allows two of them to be back driven under the specified loads while the third is self-locking.
• Implement a cable management system that allows for 15 feet of movement within a telescope rail repeatedly without tangles or cable strain.
• Build a fully submersible seal for this electrical plug; use materials that will not deteriorate in 40% sulfuric acid.
• Design an ergonomic handle and strap that will allow the average operator to carry this 45 lb tool for at least an hour comfortably.
• Follow this existing CAD to assemble the frame for this robot; incorporate this wiring diagram while you assemble.

Requirements

This role requires a 4-year degree in an engineering discipline. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Candidates must have experience that aligns with at least 80% of the "Example Tasks" above. The hours for this role are from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays. This is a fully in-person role; however, some projects will allow engineers to work from home once a week.

Salary

Total annual compensation is at least $70,000 for those with minimal relevant experience. Experienced individuals should apply to this same posting and will be offered a higher salary if hired. Compensation is set as 80% fixed base and 20% as quarterly bonuses.

Benefits

Employees are given 12 paid days off per year of their choice and 25 days off that are set at the beginning of the year. They additionally get 10 paid sick days. After one month of employment, you have access to our United Oxford Health Plan (Platinum tier) which is 80% paid for by the company. You also have access to a company-paid HRA. There is a vision and dental plan as well as a 401k plan.

Apply

To apply, please email info@arcinc.com with the subject "Mechanical Engineer Role Applicant." Please include your resume and 3-7 sentences discussing some examples of systems that you designed and fabricated that you are particularly proud of. If selected to proceed, the first interview round will be a 1 hour phone call with an executive. The second and final round will be a 3 hours site visit which will include several short interviews with engineers as well as a practical evaluation in which you will be asked to design something.