Staff Mechatronics Engineer

Dandy is transforming the massive and antiquated dental industry—an industry worth over $400B. Backed by some of the world’s leading venture capital firms, we’re on an ambitious mission to simplify and modernize every function of the dental practice through technology. As we expand our reach globally, Dandy is building the operating system for dental offices around the world—empowering clinicians and their teams with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practices, their people, and their patients.

About the Role

Dandy is seeking a Staff Mechatronics Engineer to join our Precision Robotics R&D team. This role is the technical cornerstone for developing the mechatronic architecture of our next-generation Special Purpose Machines (SPM) for manufacturing custom-made prosthetics.

As an engineer with 8+ years of experience, you will bridge the gap between high-level robotic theory and physical execution. You will be responsible for building the "nervous system" of our machines—integrating actuators, sensors, and motion control into a cohesive, high-performance architecture. This is a hybrid role in the South Bay, where you will drive innovation from initial concept and rapid prototyping through to production-ready systems.

What You’ll Do

• Own the mechatronic architecture for our SPM platform family; define the actuation, sensing, and motion-control approach that new machines are built on, and make the build-versus-buy and subsystem-partitioning calls that shape our roadmap for years
• System Architecture & Design: Architect and integrate complex robotic hardware systems, including precision actuators, sensors, and electromechanical subsystems, ensuring they meet the micron-level reliability required for manufacturing custom-made prosthetics.
• Special Purpose Machine Design Expertise: Apply deep technical knowledge of both additive (3D printing) and subtractive (milling, grinding, polishing) processes to design versatile, high-precision manufacturing platforms.
• Set the technical standards for how the team designs and validates hardware: design reviews, tolerance and error-budget analysis, FMEA, and test-and-validation practices that hold up under scrutiny
• High-Fidelity Prototyping: Lead the rapid prototyping of components and conduct rigorous structural/thermal analyses. Validate designs through intensive performance testing and failure-mode analysis (FMEA).
• Cross-Functional Integration: Act as the primary technical interface between mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software teams to ensure seamless system integration and optimization of system dynamics.
• Influence the long-range goals of the Precision Robotics program by bringing a clear point of view on where our automation capability needs to be in two to three years, and what we need to build or buy to get there

What We’re Looking For

• Experience: 8+ years of machine-building experience, specifically in hardware, mechatronics, or robotics engineering with a focus on system-level architecture for production systems.
• A track record of at least one complex electromechanical system you personally architected and carried from concept through production ramp, including the problems it hit in the field and what you changed as a result
• Education: B.S./M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechatronics, Mechanical, Electrical, or Robotics Engineering.
• Founding Mindset: Demonstrated technical leadership without formal authority: setting direction across teams, mentoring engineers, and raising the engineering bar around you.
• Technical Mastery:
  • Expert-level proficiency with 3D CAD modeling and a deep understanding of varied fabrication and manufacturing processes.
  • Expert knowledge of robotic kinematics/dynamics, actuation systems, and simulation tools
  • Hands-on experience with sensor integration, embedded systems, and manufacturing design execution.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to mentor junior engineers and manage multiple projects in a high-velocity high growth environment.
• Ability to self-direct, self-managing issues to closure involving all necessary teams, and adapt quickly to program changes.
• Willingness to travel to suppliers, manufacturing, and testing facilities as required throughout product development (~20% travel)

Bonus Points For

• Experience working as a System or Mechanical Engineer for an Automation System Integrator or OEM, with a track record of delivering turnkey automated solutions.
• Advanced Motion Control: Knowledge of waveform tuning, custom PLC programming (Beckhoff/TwinCAT), or experience with high-performance motion controllers (ACS, Elmo, Others).
• Experience with laser interferometry, high-resolution optical encoders, and sub-micron calibration techniques for milling and printing paths.
• Expertise in integrating Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and 3D vision systems into robotic workflows for real-time quality feedback.
• Advanced capability in FEA/CFD for thermal and vibration analysis of high-speed robotic linkages and spindles.
• Experience with the design or qualification of custom brushless motors, linear actuators, or robotic end-effectors.
• Robotic Safety: Knowledge of ISO 10218 or ISO 13482 standards for robotic system safety and collaborative operation.