Mechanical Engineer Intern

About the role#

Foundation is seeking a Mechanical Engineer Intern to contribute to the development of dexterous hands and fingers for humanoid robotics. This role focuses on solving complex mechanical engineering challenges, including managing high degrees of freedom within a compact form factor. You will be responsible for custom-designing every component, ensuring the mechanical architecture effectively supports the needs of the controls and sensor teams.

What you'll do#

• Design parts, run tolerancing analysis, and manage CAD work from the start of the internship.
• Provide hands-on engineering attention to design iterations, including linkage geometry, tendon routing, and pulley systems.
• Collaborate directly with controls and sensor teams to ensure mechanical architecture defines operational parameters.
• Engage in the full lifecycle of hardware development, from CAD modeling to prototype fabrication.

What you'll need#

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field, with coursework in classical mechanics, materials science, and structural engineering.
• Strong understanding of kinematics and mechanism design, including the ability to analyze four-bar linkages and compute Jacobians.
• Proficiency in parametric CAD software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or CATIA for modeling complex multi-body assemblies.
• Understanding of tolerance analysis and GD&T, including the use of worst-case or RSS methods.
• Basic FEA experience using tools like SolidWorks Simulation or ANSYS.
• Familiarity with contact mechanics, tribology, and lightweight structure design.
• Knowledge of tendon-driven and linkage-driven actuation mechanisms.

Location & details#

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Term: Summer 2026
• Modality: On-site
• Employment: Full-time, paid internship