About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.

About the Team

1X Labs exists to explore what comes next. We investigate the technologies, mechanisms, architectures, and system concepts that have the potential to fundamentally advance humanoid robotics. The team operates with a bias toward experimentation, building real hardware quickly and evaluating ideas through evidence rather than theory.

Our work spans mechanics, electronics, sensing, controls, materials, and system design. We prototype aggressively, test rigorously, and pursue breakthroughs that can ultimately influence future generations of humanoid robots.

Your Charter

Challenge the state of the art by turning ideas into working systems and subjecting them to rigorous evaluation. You will build, test, and iterate across mechanical, electrical, and software domains to determine what truly advances robotic capability.

As a Hardware Systems Research Engineer, your success is measured not by the number of concepts explored, but by the quality of evidence generated. You will rapidly translate ideas into experiments, expose limitations, identify opportunities, and create pathways that can eventually survive real-world product constraints, integration requirements, and manufacturing realities.

Key Outcomes

Rapidly prototype and evaluate novel hardware concepts that advance the capabilities of humanoid robotic systems
Generate trustworthy experimental data that informs technical decisions and eliminates uncertainty around new approaches
Establish clear performance benchmarks and systematically evaluate concepts against biological, system-level, or product-relevant targets
Identify and communicate the true limitations, tradeoffs, and scaling challenges of emerging technologies
Successfully transition promising research concepts into credible paths for product integration and future development programs

Key Competencies

Exceptional hands-on engineering ability across mechanical, electrical, and software systems with 10+ years of experience.
Strong experimental mindset with a commitment to evidence-driven decision making
Ability to move quickly from concept to working hardware while maintaining technical rigor
Deep curiosity and intrinsic motivation to understand how systems behave and why they fail
High degree of ownership, persistence, and comfort operating in ambiguous research environments

Minimum Requirements

Strong hands-on experience developing complex hardware systems through professional work, research, startups, or significant personal projects
Several years of experience building and testing innovative electromechanical systems
Demonstrated ability to independently design, fabricate, assemble, and validate physical prototypes
Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanics, electronics, controls, or embedded systems
Portfolio of projects demonstrating deep technical ownership and successful execution from concept through validation

Preferred Skills

Experience designing and assembling prototype electronics and custom PCBs
Experience with CAD, machining, fabrication, and rapid mechanical iteration
Experience writing low-level firmware, controls software, or hardware test infrastructure
Strong experimental design, data analysis, and system modeling skills
Exposure to biomechanics, neuroscience, cognitive science, or biologically inspired systems
Experience developing robotic, actuator, sensing, or advanced electromechanical systems

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like?

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

The people who thrive in 1X Labs share a few additional traits: they prefer experiments over debates, evidence over assumptions, and execution over endless planning. They are comfortable building ideas that are not their own, relentlessly testing systems against reality, and pushing until they either achieve breakthrough performance or understand exactly why they cannot.

Compensation Range

$200,000 - $250,000 + Equity

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.