SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER — ROBOTICS

Full time · In office

Kochi, Kerala

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Reports To: Head of Engineering

Experience: 4–6 years in mechanical design of robotic or mobile mechanical systems

Role Overview

We are building an autonomous robotic platform, and we're looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer who has designed and built robots, rovers, or similar mobile mechanical systems before. You will lead all mechanical design for our flagship robot: driving industrial design (ID) decisions, architecting the drivetrain, actuation, and core mechanisms, owning the structural design of the full assembly, and conducting or managing FEA/stress analysis so the robot meets safety and performance targets in real-world operating conditions. You will also mentor the Junior Mechanical Engineer and work closely with the electronics, firmware, and software teams to bring an integrated robotic system from concept to production.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead industrial design (ID) for the robot — form, ergonomics, aesthetics, and user-facing mechanical interfaces.
- Architect and develop core robotic mechanisms and sub-systems: chassis and drivetrain, actuation and fluid handling.
- Design mounting, routing, and enclosures for sensors, motors, batteries, and electronics, with attention to field serviceability.
- Own full-robot mechanical design from concept through production-intent CAD (multi-body assemblies, sheet metal, castings, and injection-moulded parts).
- Conduct finite element analysis (FEA) and stress/fatigue testing (simulation and physical)



to validate structural integrity under dynamic loads — impacts, vibration, terrain, and repeated cycles.
- Produce and manage engineering drawings, tolerances, GD&T;, and BOM for manufacturing.
- Define and execute DFM/DFA reviews; collaborate with contract manufacturers and suppliers.
- Plan and run field testing of prototype robots; feed failures and learnings back into design iterations.
- Establish design standards, review gates, and best-practice documentation for the mechanical team.
- Mentor and delegate to the Junior Mechanical Engineer; review their deliverables.
- Work with electronics, firmware, and operations teams to resolve cross-functional integration issues.

Required Qualifications

- B.E. / B.Tech or M.E. / M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
- 4–6 years of hands-on mechanical design experience, with at least 2 years designing robots, rovers, AGVs/AMRs, or similar mobile mechanical systems.
- Experience taking a robotic or mobile system from concept through to a working prototype or production.
- Expert-level 3D CAD proficiency — SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent.
- Demonstrated FEA experience — ANSYS,



SolidWorks Simulation, or equivalent; able to set up, run, and interpret structural and fatigue studies.
- Strong understanding of mechanism design: linkages, cams, gears, bearings, sealing, and actuation.
- Experience selecting and integrating motors, gearboxes, and actuators, and sizing them against load, speed, and duty-cycle requirements.
- Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes: machining, sheet metal, injection moulding, welding.
- Familiarity with IP-rating requirements for wet or demanding environments.

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

- Experience with autonomous ground vehicles, agricultural robots, or other field robots operating outside controlled environments.
- Experience with drivetrain and suspension design for uneven or outdoor terrain.
- Exposure to ISO 13849 / ISO 10218 / machinery safety standards.
- Experience with industrial design tools (Alias, Rhino, or similar surface modelling).
- Knowledge of hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
- Familiarity with ROS-based systems or working alongside robotics software teams.
- Prior experience in a startup or rapid-moving product development environment.

What We Offer

- Opportunity to lead mechanical development of a flagship robotics product.
- Direct collaboration with founders and engineering leadership.
- High ownership and technical influence.
- Fast-paced startup environment with meaningful challenges.
- Opportunity to help shape the future of robotics and automation in India.
- Work Location: In person

📌 Senior Mechanical Engineer (Kochi)
🏢 HARKAN ROBOTICS
📍 Kochi