Senior Gear Design Engineer

Figure is an AI robotics company developing autonomous general-purpose humanoid robots. The goal of the company is to ship humanoid robots with human level intelligence. Its robots are engineered to perform a variety of tasks in the home and commercial markets. Figure is based in San Jose, CA and requires 5 days/week in-office collaboration. We are looking for a Senior Gear Design Engineer to own gear and transmission design for our humanoid robot's hands — some of the most power-dense, space-constrained actuators in the world. You will take gear trains from first-principles sizing through validation and into mass manufacturing, defining how our robot grasps and manipulates the world. Responsibilities: Own gear design end-to-end: system-level sizing, macro and micro geometry definition, rating and life analysis, prototyping, validation, and ramp to mass production. Perform gear sizing, contact/bending stress analysis, and micro-geometry optimization (profile and lead modifications) in KISSsoft to meet efficiency, durability, backlash, and NVH targets. Design gears, shafts, and transmission assemblies in 3D CAD (CATIA) that satisfy extreme packaging, load, and durability requirements of a high-DOF robotic hand. Define gear manufacturing strategy — cutting, grinding, powder metal, MIM, or plastics — and drive DFM with suppliers from first articles through high-volume production. Generate accurate 2D drawings with gear data tables and GD&T per ASME Y14.5, and define inspection and metrology plans for incoming quality. Build and run test rigs to characterize efficiency, backlash, wear, and fatigue life; correlate test data back to analytical models. Collaborate closely with actuator, structures, EE, and manufacturing teams — proactively identifying risks, driving decisions, and unblocking the program without waiting to be asked. Requirements: 7+ years of experience designing gears and geared transmissions Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics