# Actuator Gear Design Engineer at OpenAI

- Company: OpenAI
- Status: Open
- Workplace: On-site
- Location: San Francisco
- Level: Mid-level
- Discipline: Engineering
- Employment: Full-time
- Salary: $225K–423K
- Posted: 2026-08-08
- Skills: Research, Robotics
- Apply: https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/openai/4560b828-7624-414b-9670-6cc9bf0008ad

## Description

About the Team

Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world settings. Working across the entire model stack, we integrate cutting-edge hardware and software to explore a broad range of robotic form factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples’ lives.

About the Role

We are seeking an Actuator Gear Design Engineer to lead the development of custom gears and gear stages for advanced robotic systems. You will own actuator development from early architecture and concept generation through prototype validation and system integration, partnering closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, firmware, and reliability teams. You will partner with external suppliers and internal manufacturing to create full gearbox assemblies.

This role focuses on the design, integration, and validation of precision gearing, including broader knowledge around motor electromagnetics, transmission types, sensing, structural components, and thermal architectures. You will help drive actuator development across the full engineering lifecycle while establishing scalable design, test, and integration practices for future robotic platforms.

This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires in-person presence 4 days a week.

In this role, you will:

 - Lead the architecture, design, and integration of custom robotic actuator gearing.

 - Define actuator requirements and system-level trade studies around torque density, bandwidth, ef

More OpenAI roles: https://deviantjobs.com/companies/openai