Mechatronics Engineer - Robotics Payloads

About Lucid Bots

Lucid Bots Inc. is an AI robotics company that extends human reach by building the world's most productive and responsible robots. Our products allow people to perform dangerous and demanding tasks without compromising safety or efficiency.

Headquartered in Charlotte, we design, engineer, manufacture, and support our products domestically. Our current line of production-ready robots includes the Sherpa, a spraying drone, and the Lavo Bot, a pressure-washing ground-based robot. These systems are actively transforming operations for industrial customers around the world. Lucid Bots was recently recognized as the fourth fastest-growing manufacturing company in the United States.

We are venture-backed, with investments from Y Combinator (S19), Cubit Capital, Idea Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, and others. Learn more about our vision.
Our Core Values and How We Work Together

At Lucid Bots, our values shape the way we innovate, collaborate, and deliver:

• Lead with Compassion: Build trust and respect through empathy and open dialogue.
• Grow with Purpose: Take ownership of learning and intentional development.
• Win as One Team: Celebrate shared goals, feedback, and collective progress.
• Be Positive Agents of Change: Tackle challenges head-on and lead with initiative.
• Pursue Extraordinary Impact: Deliver bold solutions to meaningful problems.

Role Objective

We are seeking a Mechatronics Engineer to join our Robotics Payloads team. You'll be responsible for designing, prototyping, and iterating electromechanical systems that enable our robots to interact with the physical world-think precision sprayers, manipulators, actuators responding to computer vision inputs and IMUs and ruggedized gimbals. This role blends mechanical design, embedded systems, and control algorithms into cohesive, high-performance hardware.

You'll work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to create reliable payload systems that perform in dynamic, real-world environments. Your work will directly impact field-deployable robotic platforms and contribute to accelerating development cycles for Lucid Bots' growing product line.
Key Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and test electromechanical payload systems such as actuated sprayers, manipulators, and gimbals.
• Integrate actuators, motors, sensors, gear trains, and embedded electronics into robust motion systems.
• Develop, tune, and validate control algorithms (e.g. PID, control loops, inverse kinematics, computer vision inputs) for real-time actuation.
• Design and implement low-voltage electrical systems including wiring harnesses, motor drivers, and signal routing.
• Collaborate with software teams to ensure seamless integration of embedded control systems (CAN, UART, SPI, I2C).
• Incorporate vision and perception systems (e.g. LiDAR, ToF, depth cameras, IMUs) into closed-loop control.
• Conduct functional, durability, and environmental testing to validate performance.
• Participate in field testing, including direct interaction with users and customers; some travel required.
• Document designs, tests, and compliance requirements to ensure manufacturability and repeatability.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in hands-on development of electromechanical systems.
• Proficient in CAD (Onshape preferred) and mechanical system design for actuation.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, actuator control, and motion system dynamics.
• Experience developing embedded firmware (C/C++) and hardware test scripts (Python).
• Ability to read, interpret, and create schematics and wiring diagrams.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with robotic platforms and middleware (PX4, MAVLink, ROS/ROS2).
• Background in UAV payload design and ruggedized product development.
• Proficiency in PCB design tools (KiCAD, Altium) and rapid prototyping workflows.
• Familiarity with simulation tools (Isaac Sim, Gazebo, Omniverse) and vision-based control or SLAM techniques.

You Are

• Hands-on and iterative: You thrive when building, breaking, and rebuilding prototypes.
• Multidisciplinary: You navigate seamlessly between mechanical design, electrical integration, and control logic.
• Field-focused: You understand the importance of testing in real-world conditions and learning from user feedback.
• Collaborative: You're excited to work closely with cross-functional teams and take full ownership of deliverables.
• Mission-driven: You want to build tools that make high-impact, real-world jobs safer and more effective.

Why You Should Join Lucid Bots

• Be at the forefront of developing advanced robotics systems with real-world utility.
• Collaborate with a passionate, high-performance team of builders and innovators.
• Competitive salary, equity options, and comprehensive benefits.
• Room to grow and lead as we scale rapidly into new markets and capabilities.
• Work in a mission-driven company that values action, empathy, and technical excellence.

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Delivering robust, field-tested payload systems that operate reliably in demanding conditions.
• Tight collaboration across software, hardware, and product teams to achieve high integration fidelity.
• Creating scalable solutions that reduce iteration time and accelerate go-to-market timelines.
• Being a force multiplier through technical mentorship and systems-level thinking.

Location & Travel

This role is based in Charlotte, NC. Regular in-person collaboration with our engineering and manufacturing teams is essential. Some travel for field testing and customer deployment will be required.
Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 3% IRA retirement match
• 15 days PTO and 11 paid holidays
• Employee stock option plan
• Additional perks and team events

A Message from Our VP of Product

We'd Love to Hear from You!

We encourage you to respond to Robert's video with your own short video (under 2 minutes) explaining why you're excited about this opportunity and why you'd be a great fit for Lucid Bots. This is a chance to introduce yourself in a way that goes beyond your resume!

If you're not sure where to record, you can use a tool like Loom.