Exoskeleton Robotics Engineer: Mechanical

Starting Date: As soon as possible, depending on applicant’s availability.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Job Description: IHMC is seeking mechanical engineers to help with the design of research exoskeleton platforms for human rehabilitation and augmentation. Over the last 20 years, IHMC has developed a variety of legged systems ranging from bipedal robots like Nadia and M2V2 to lower body exoskeletons like Quix and Eva. This candidate will work with our interdisciplinary exoskeleton and robotics team on the design and development of new robotic hardware. As IHMC is first and foremost a research institute, you will have opportunities to gain experiences and try new things, both with a varied set of responsibilities and through functions like the IHMC lecture series and regular learning lunches.

For more information on some of our current projects, see robots.ihmc.us. Salary is dependent upon degree and experience. This is for a full-time, paid position in Pensacola, Florida. You must be authorized or able to gain authorization to work in the United States.

Ideal Candidate: We are seeking candidates who are passionate about mechanical design, human interfacing, and robotics and have experience working on multidisciplinary teams to develop novel exoskeleton hardware for restoring or augmenting human mobility. They must be capable of functioning both in a tight-knit team and independently for extended periods of time. The candidate should have experience with both prototype development and prototype fabrication techniques, from machining to 3d printing. Knowledge and previous experience in designing robotic systems for a human user, operation and usage of biomechanical sensing equipment, and human subject experimentation are preferred. Applicants must have good communication and documentation skills, and thrive in both a team and individual environment.

Required Qualifications:

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or similar
  • 3+ years of design experience.
  • Advanced SolidWorks / OnShape user, or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with mechanism design.
  • Experience in failure analysis.
  • Experience with finite element analysis.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or similar
  • Experience in lightweight design.
  • Experience with advanced manufacturing techniques (Additive, etc.).
  • Design with composites (e.g. carbon fiber).
  • Experience with electromechanical systems, sensors, motors.
  • Knowledge of human biomechanics.
  • Experience in soft goods design and manufacture.
  • Experience with biomechanical sensing (EMG, Metabolic cost measurements, motion capture, etc.).

Why work at IHMC?

The robotics lab is an exciting place to work! We have researchers from all over the world, including TU Delft, ETH Zurich, MIT, Berkeley, Olin College, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Florida Tech, Embry Riddle, RIT, USC, and UF. Having so many minds crammed into one building makes for some interesting conversation, amusing antics, and fun activities to blow off some steam. Our team makes it a priority to have paintball days, barbecues, sailing trips in Pensacola Bay, beach days, dress up dares, happy hours, and learning lunches.

Pensacola is a great place to live! The weather is (almost) always perfect for outdoor activities like sailing on the bay, volleyball on the white sand beaches, kayaking on Blackwater River, or camping right by the waves. The lab is located in Downtown Pensacola, surrounded by tasty restaurants, art museums, concert venues, farmers markets, and food trucks. Pensacola thrives on never-ending music, dining, dancing and cultural diversity located right at your fingertips. You’ll love it here!

To Apply:

Email to robotjobs@ihmc.org with the subject line “ME Position – YourLastName” and include the following:

  1. Current resume in pdf format. Name your file: “YourLastName_Resume.pdf”.
  2. Cover letter in pdf format. Name your file: “YourLastName_CoverLetter.pdf”
  3. Download this Pre-Interview Questionnaire pdf, fill it out and attach it. Name your file: “YourLastName_Questionnaire.pdf”

As part of the application, we require that you provide a link (unlisted or public) to either a YouTube video or portfolio link to one of your mechanical designs. If you decide to submit a video, it should:

  • Include you talking about your project
  • Be 2 minutes (+/- 15 seconds) in length
  • Show your design, either actual or on the computer screen
  • Have clear audio

In the cover letter:

  • Provide a link (URL) to your YouTube video or portfolio.
  • Describe why you want to be a designer of exoskeleton systems, what makes you qualified, and what you see as the major challenges to overcome in the current field of exoskeletons.
  • Provide the email and phone number (work or cell) for three (3) professional references.

 **Application is considered incomplete until all three items are submitted.**

Questions: robotjobs@ihmc.org

Location: Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), Pensacola, FL

IHMC is an AA/EEO Employer.