Senior Design Engineer - Electromagnetic (R&D)

JOB SUMMARY

At Apptronik, we are building the next generation of general-purpose humanoid robots designed to change the way we live and work. To achieve unparalleled performance in our robotic platforms, we are expanding our R&D efforts into advanced, custom motor technologies.

Off-the-shelf frameless motors leave significant performance on the table for humanoid robots. As a electromagnetic designer for Apptronik's custom motor program, you will be the driving force behind our next generation of actuators. You will set the target metrics and design the motors to hit them, exploring cutting-edge technologies to maximize performance while ensuring these designs remain viable for mass manufacturing.

In addition to serving as the lead hands-on EM designer, you will act as our primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) when collaborating with external partners, university collaborators, and specialized manufacturing vendors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Custom Electromagnetic Design & Simulation

• Own the electromagnetic design of custom BLDC/PMSM motors for humanoid joints from concept to built prototype.
• Select and evaluate advanced topologies and approaches
• Run advanced EM simulations (using Ansys Maxwell, Motor-CAD, JMAG, or Altair Flux) to maximize performance.
• Define the trade space between motor, thermal, and robot-level requirements.

Testing, Validation & Characterization

• Specify test requirements and oversee the methodology for characterizing internally developed motors against competing off-the-shelf designs.
• Utilize a motor dyno to close the loop between simulation and hardware, correlating model-to-test data and validating EM simulations empirically.

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Cross-Functional Integration

• Bridge the gap between R&D and production. Ensure that highly optimized, novel motor designs can scale efficiently to mass manufacturing without compromising performance.
• Collaborate tightly with mechanical, thermal, electrical, and control engineers to integrate custom motors into the broader robotic joint and system architecture (accounting for drive interaction, FOC, and inverter limits).

External Partnerships

• Act as the technical lead and SME in discussions with external motor design companies, suppliers, and university collaborators.
• Evaluate external proposals, drive technical requirements, ensure successful tech transfer, and audit alternative supply chains (such as US-sourced magnet materials).

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering (electric machines), Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of industry experience designing electric machines for high-performance applications (preferably in robotics, aerospace, or automotive/EV sectors).
• Tool Mastery: Expert-level, hands-on experience with electromagnetic design and simulation software (Ansys Maxwell/Motor-CAD, JMAG, or similar) and analytical motor modeling.
• Technical Depth: Exceptional understanding of motor fundamentals, winding theory, magnetic materials, thermal coupling, and the trade-offs involved in maximizing torque density.
• Manufacturing Knowledge: Proven track record of designing motors that have successfully transitioned from the prototype phase to volume manufacturing.
• Qualities: Deep technical credibility, a passion for mentoring others, and a true "experimentalist" mindset who thrives on building a new capability from scratch and validating models against hardware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with specialized or novel motor topologies (e.g., axial flux, transverse flux, frameless outrunner designs).
• Familiarity with the unique constraints of robotics (e.g., highly dynamic loads, tight packaging constraints, low gearing ratios, and strict thermal limits).
• MATLAB/Python scripting experience for design optimization and workflow automation.
• Strong vendor management experience, having successfully audited and collaborated with overseas or domestic motor manufacturers.