Tactile Sensing Research Engineer

Tactile Sensing Researcher / Engineer

Advance tactile sensing toward human-level capability by developing sensing systems that capture the structure and dynamics of physical contact, not merely the presence of touch.

You will take promising tactile sensing technologies and push them through repeated cycles of design, fabrication, testing, and refinement. Your work will focus on understanding fundamental performance limits, eliminating bottlenecks, and systematically improving sensing performance across spatial resolution, temporal response, dynamic range, robustness, and durability.

As a Tactile Sensing Researcher / Engineer, you'll help create the sensing foundation required for dexterous manipulation and meaningful interaction with the physical world.

• Deliver successive generations of tactile sensing systems that demonstrate measurable improvements in sensing performance and robustness
• Establish rigorous benchmarking methodologies against human tactile capabilities and other state-of-the-art sensing technologies
• Identify and overcome fundamental limitations in tactile sensing architectures, materials, and transduction approaches
• Generate experimental evidence that guides research decisions and enables confident technology down-selection
• Successfully transition promising tactile sensing concepts into viable paths for integration with robotic manipulation systems

• Deep expertise in tactile sensing, sensing systems, or closely related research domains
• Strong experimental mindset with a focus on measurement quality, repeatability, and evidence-driven decision making
• Ability to work across materials, mechanics, electronics, and system integration challenges
• Exceptional hands-on prototyping, fabrication, and testing skills
• Persistence and intellectual rigor when solving difficult technical problems with no obvious solutions

• PhD in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Bioengineering, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated high-impact contributions to tactile sensing or related sensing technologies through publications, patents, deployed systems, or equivalent technical achievements
• Proven experience developing sensing technologies through multiple generations of design, fabrication, and validation
• Strong hands-on experience building and testing physical sensing systems
• Track record of identifying and overcoming fundamental performance limitations in sensing technologies

• Experience working with soft, compliant, or bio-inspired materials in sensing applications
• Experience designing custom experimental setups for sensor characterization and benchmarking
• Familiarity with robotic manipulation, dexterous hands, or human-machine interaction systems
• Experience developing custom electronics, transduction systems, or signal-processing pipelines for sensing applications
• Background in biomechanics, neuroscience, haptics, or biologically inspired sensing systems

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.

Within 1X Labs, the strongest researchers combine deep technical expertise with a relentless commitment to reality. They use experiments to settle debates, push systems until they reveal their true limits, and care as much about understanding failure as they do about achieving success. Research matters because it changes what the robot can do.

$200,000 - $250,000 + Equity

• 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

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.