Mechanical Engineer — Robotics Hardware & Product Design

Auto Stringer is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to help design and improve the physical robot that will automate tennis racket stringing. The machine currently uses a gantry-style system to move across the racket, manipulate string, clamp tension, and eventually automate weaving and knot tying.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys CAD, prototyping, mechanisms, manufacturing, and hands-on testing. You will work directly on the structure and motion systems that make the robot physically reliable. The challenge is not just making something that moves. It is making something accurate, repeatable, compact, safe, and strong enough to handle real string tension.

• Design and improve the robot’s gantry, frame, string-guiding mechanisms, clamps, and end effectors.
• Help create mechanisms for weaving strings through racket holes.
• Improve the bottom clamping system that holds tension while the robot works.
• Design parts that can be manufactured using 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, or standard hardware.
• Build and test prototypes to understand friction, alignment, stiffness, backlash, and tolerance issues.
• Work with the software and controls team to make sure mechanical systems are easy to control.
• Document CAD revisions, design decisions, and test results.
• Help move the project from a rough prototype toward a more polished machine.

• UW student interested in mechanical engineering, robotics, product design, or mechatronics.
• Experience with CAD tools such as Solid Works, Fusion 360, Onshape, or similar.
• Basic understanding of mechanisms, tolerances, bearings, linear rails, belts, lead screws, or gantry systems.
• Comfortable building and testing physical prototypes.
• Willing to work through messy engineering problems where the first design probably will not work.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain why a design choice makes sense.

• Experience with 3D printing or machine shop tools.
• Basic understanding of tennis rackets or stringing.
• Experience with FEA, motor sizing, or tension/load calculations.
• Previous work on robotics clubs, capstone projects, research labs, or personal hardware projects.

The mechanical system is the foundation of Auto Stringer. If the robot is not stiff, accurate, and repeatable, the software cannot solve the problem alone. This role gives you the chance to own major parts of a real robotics product and build something that could eventually operate in universities, clubs, and tennis facilities.