Prototyping Lab Technician, Robotics

Compensation

$225K – $295K • Offers Equity

The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. If the role is non-exempt, overtime pay will be provided consistent with applicable laws. In addition to the salary range listed above, total compensation also includes generous equity, performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees, and the following benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
• Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
• Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
• 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
• Mental health and wellness support
• Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
• Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
• Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
• Relocation support for eligible employees
• Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.

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 people's lives.

About the Role

You will work at the cutting edge of OpenAI's robotics hardware, partnering with hardware and software teams to develop, build, test, and iterate on robotic systems.

Working closely with engineers, you will build prototypes, execute experiments, fabricate fixtures, troubleshoot hardware, and help drive rapid iteration on new robotic technologies. Your practical problem-solving and technical judgment will help move projects from concept to reality.

We are looking for versatile, hands-on generalists who enjoy solving problems across mechanical, electrical, fabrication, and experimental domains. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in high-velocity and early-stage hardware development environments, provide thoughtful feedback to engineering teams, and help improve both hardware and development processes. This role will help accelerate robotics development by enabling fast, high-quality iteration on new hardware concepts and systems.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with engineers, researchers, and other members of the robotics team to support prototype development, experimentation, and hardware iteration.
• Build, modify, troubleshoot, and repair robotic systems and electromechanical assemblies spanning structural, electrical, sensing, and actuation subsystems.
• Design and fabricate fixtures, adapters, test equipment, and other prototype hardware that accelerate development efforts.
• Execute low-volume builds, engineering changes, and rework activities across robotic systems, including mechanical assemblies, wire harnesses, and custom electronics.
• Develop, execute, and support hardware experiments in partnership with engineering teams.
• Build and rework wire harnesses, custom electronics, and other prototype hardware used in robotic systems.
• Maintain lab equipment, tooling, inventory, and workspaces.
• Develop and refine processes that improve build quality, repeatability, documentation, and overall lab efficiency.
• Use software tools to configure hardware, collect data, document work, and interact with robotic systems.
• Identify technical risks, challenge assumptions when appropriate, and provide feedback that improves hardware reliability, manufacturability, and experimental quality.

Requirements

• Have demonstrated experience working hands-on with complex electromechanical or robotic systems.
• Are highly effective at troubleshooting electrical systems and using common electronic test equipment.
• Are comfortable interpreting schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
• Have experience building, modifying, and debugging wire harnesses, custom electronics, and assemblies.
• Quickly understand the constraints of a problem, identify risks, and propose practical solutions.
• Are an excellent technical communicator who collaborates effectively across disciplines.
• Take pride in producing high-quality work and maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Thrive in fast-paced environments with a wide variety of projects and responsibilities.
• Are comfortable learning unfamiliar tools, equipment, and technologies as projects evolve.
• Are comfortable working with the Linux command line.