Robotics Hardware Engineer

About Ultra

Ultra builds industrial AI robots that are working in the real world today. Our robots automate mission-critical warehouse labor end-to-end, starting with e-commerce order packaging. We deploy fast, learn from real production data, and iterate aggressively. We already have a quickly growing number of revenue-generating robots operating in U.S. warehouses, and are now scaling towards thousands of deployments over the next few years.

Our mission is simple: build the world's most useful and deployable robot.

WARNING: Robotics is not for the faint of heart. There are no silver bullets here. It is tiresome, unglamorous, and at times brutal work. The only way out is through, and the only way through is treacherous and unknown.
** Success will require teamwork** - so we are building a world-class team to tackle some of the most exciting problems out there. We hope you join us.

We’re seeking a Robotics Hardware Engineer to join our NYC-based team and take ownership of the wide range of mechanical and electrical development projects required to build, manufacture, and continuously improve reliable industrial robots.

This is a broad, highly hands‑on engineering role. One week, you might redesign a compute enclosure or communications junction box; the next, you might build an electrical test device for our manufacturing team, improve a cable assembly, troubleshoot a hardware failure, or prototype a new robot subsystem. You’ll be responsible for understanding what is needed, developing a practical solution, building and testing it, and carrying it through to a documented and repeatable result.

We are an early‑stage company moving quickly in a rapidly growing space. We welcome people from any background as long as you’re excited to join our mission, make an immediate impact, and help create a future where automation is accessible to all.

• You’re a hands‑on engineer who enjoys making physical systems work. You’re equally comfortable designing a part in CAD, assembling a wiring harness, using lab equipment to diagnose an electrical issue, and taking a prototype apart to understand why it failed.
• You have a strong foundation in either mechanical or electrical engineering and enough curiosity about the other discipline to work effectively across both. You don’t throw problems over the wall—you follow them through the complete system until you understand what is happening.
• You’re comfortable starting with an imperfect problem statement. You ask the right questions, identify the real constraints, and find the simplest robust solution rather than waiting for someone else to write a complete specification.
• You move quickly without losing attention to detail. You know when a fast prototype is appropriate and when a design needs proper drawings, documentation, validation, and manufacturing discipline.
• You thrive in a high‑trust, high‑autonomy environment. You manage your own priorities, communicate proactively, and take responsibility for getting projects across the finish line.

• Own small and medium‑sized hardware projects from initial problem definition through design, prototyping, testing, documentation, and release.
• Design and improve mechanical components and assemblies for our robots and supporting hardware, including enclosures, brackets, mounts, junction boxes, cable‑management components, and manufacturing tools.
• Create and maintain CAD models, engineering drawings, BOMs, assembly instructions, and other documentation needed to turn prototypes into repeatable builds.
• Design, assemble, and debug electrical systems such as wiring harnesses, power and communications assemblies, breakout boxes, interface boards, and diagnostic tools.
• Develop fixtures and test equipment for manufacturing, incoming inspection, quality control, hardware validation, and troubleshooting.
• Work closely with our manufacturing and operations teams to identify recurring problems and develop tools, design changes, and processes that make our robots easier to build and test.
• Support robot builds and hardware bring‑up in our Brooklyn lab, particularly when new designs or unexpected issues require engineering…