Founding Mechanical Engineer

About Pickcell Robotics

Pickcell Robotics is building a new generation of high-density automated storage and retrieval systems for quick-commerce and grocery operations.

Our system combines dense storage, robotic retrieval and goods-to-person picking to help operators store more inventory in the same footprint while dramatically reducing manual movement inside dark stores.

We are currently building our next robotic prototype and are looking for a Founding Mechanical Engineer to own the design and development of the gantry and retrieval system.

This is a highly hands-on, high-ownership role working directly with the founders

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Own the mechanical design and development of Pickcell’s robotic system from concept to working prototype.
2. Design gantry structures, linear motion systems, mechanisms, end-effectors, and supporting assemblies.
3. Perform motor sizing, load calculations, structural calculations, tolerance analysis, and component selection.
4. Create and maintain 3D CAD, 2D drawings, GD&T, BOMs, and manufacturing documentation.
5. Work closely with controls, electrical, software, manufacturing, and vendor teams during integration.
6. Support sourcing, fabrication, assembly, installation, and testing of prototype hardware.
7. Conduct design reviews, identify mechanical risks, and drive design improvements.
8. Troubleshoot mechanical failures and lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
9. Improve the design for reliability, manufacturability, serviceability, cost, and ease of assembly.
10. Work directly with founders to make key technical decisions and drive the system from POC to a production-ready direction.

Requirements

1. Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with hands-on experience designing machines or robotic systems.
2. Experience with gantry systems, Cartesian robots, CNC machines, industrial automation, ASRS, warehouse robotics, or similar equipment.
3. Strong knowledge of machine design, mechanisms, bearings, linear motion, transmission systems, and structural design.
4. Experience with belt drives, rack-and-pinion, ball screws, gearboxes, servo motors, or similar motion systems.
5. Strong CAD skills using SolidWorks, Onshape, Fusion 360, Inventor, Creo, or equivalent.
6. Good understanding of GD&T, fits, tolerances, and tolerance stack-up analysis.
7. Experience with manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, sheet metal, welding, extrusion, and fabrication.
8. Ability to perform basic structural, load, torque, inertia, and motor-sizing calculations.
9. Hands-on experience building, assembling, testing, and debugging physical hardware.
10. Experience creating BOMs, manufacturing drawings, engineering documentation, and design revisions.
11. Ability to independently take a mechanical system from requirements to design, build, test, and iteration.
12. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment.

Good to Have

1. Experience designing high-speed gantry or Cartesian motion systems.
2. Experience with warehouse automation or automated storage and retrieval systems.
3. Knowledge of servo systems, encoders, PLCs, and motion control.
4. Familiarity with FEA and structural simulation.
5. Experience with FMEA, reliability testing, and cycle-life testing.
6. Experience working with suppliers and developing components from prototype to production.
7. Knowledge of industrial machine safety and relevant standards.
8. Previous experience taking a robotic product from prototype to commercial deployment.

Eligible Candidates

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automotive, Aerospace, or a related engineering field.
2. Typically 4–8+ years of relevant mechanical design experience.
3. Candidates with fewer years but exceptional hands-on experience building robotic or automation systems are encouraged to apply.
4. Previous technical ownership of a complete machine, subsystem, or robotic mechanism is strongly preferred.

We Value

1. Strong hands-on engineering mindset.
2. Ability to work from first principles.
3. Bias toward building and testing quickly.
4. Strong ownership and ability to work independently.
5. Good engineering judgment around cost, complexity, reliability, and manufacturability.
6. Experience working in startups or fast-moving product-development teams.
7. Ability to solve practical hardware problems under tight timelines.