Softgoods Development Engineer
About this role
1X is hiring a Softgoods Development Engineer, full-time, on-site in San Carlos, CA, in the ROBOTICS sector.
About 1X
Weʼre building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling
the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but itʼs not.
To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at
scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If youʼre
inspired by this, youʼll thrive here. Weʼve been at this since 2014 and weʼre at the
point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.
NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the
real world alongside real people. Weʼre not demoing it - weʼre shipping it. Weʼre
excited to meet you, if this excites you.
If youʼve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them
actually reach the world - this is that moment. Weʼre scaling, weʼre hiring with
intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely
change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.
About the Team
The Softgoods team is a group of makers, engineers, and designers united by a
passion for creating products people love to touch, trust, and use. We bring
together rigid and soft materials—textiles, elastomers, and foams—pairing
traditional techniques with the exotic and unexpected, always with safety, a
soft-touch experience, and a warm, welcoming feel at our core, carrying every
product from first concept through prototyping to full mass production.
Your Charter: This role transforms ambitious ideas into refined, real-world
products. We're seeking someone who takes pride in building things that work
beautifully, fit together precisely, and solve real problems. Operating at the
intersection of engineering, fabrication, and product development, the ideal
candidate is equally comfortable sketching concepts, cutting and bonding
materials, and resolving manufacturing challenges alongside a cross-functional
team. You'll guide softgoods products from early proof-of-concept through
production ramp, applying technical rigor and a strong commitment to craft at
every stage. This is a fully on-site role, as the best work in this field happens
collaboratively—hands on materials, ideas advancing quickly.
Key Outcomes
Drive softgoods products from early concept through production, moving fast and finding smarter paths at every stage.
Build prototypes, tooling, and fixtures, iterating until quality, repeatability, and feel are dialed in.
Partner with industrial designers, engineers, manufacturing partners, and vendors to resolve complex challenges and keep development moving.
Develop assembly, bonding, and fabrication workflows that make great work repeatable across the team.
Lead new technology introduction and rapid problem-solving, surfacing risks early and championing craftsmanship and continuous improvement.
Key Competencies
Strong CAD and mechanical design skills, moving fluidly from concept sketch to manufacturable prototype.
Solid engineering fundamentals applied with sound judgment across fast-moving, iterative hardware development.
Meaningful hands-on fabrication experience spanning materials, methods, and disciplines.
A collaborative nature - you communicate clearly, listen well, and bring out the best in the people around you.
Minimum Requirements
Experience: 5 Years of experience
Education: Bachelors of Science engineering or related, or equivalent experience
A portfolio is required, showcasing your professional work, personal projects, and passion projects.
Preferred Skills
Textiles, yarns, leathers, elastomers, foams, and other material systems
Mold design, tooling, and manufacturing fixture development
Pattern making, sewing, and construction techniques
CLO3D or similar digital patterning and simulation tools
Adhesives, bonding, lamination, and process development
What does a successful 1X Team Member look like
Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work
completely, and treat time like itʼs the one thing you canʼt 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.
Compensation Range
$175,000 - $215,000+ Equity
Benefits
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
Description from 1X's official posting. Always confirm details on the company careers page.
About 1X
1X
Company in the mobility sector tracked nightly on the Mobility Jobs board.
Not the one? Get new ROBOTICS roles by email, weekday mornings, only when something new lands.
About Larry Sherwood Jr.
Talent Acquisition Leader specializing in mobility, EV, and frontier tech. 1,000+ hires across roles ranging from production technicians to VPs, including 48 hires for the AFEELA U.S. launch at Sony Honda Mobility (98% offer acceptance, $1.5M+ agency savings). SHRM-CP certified. Build recruiting functions from scratch, no agencies.
Currently open to senior TA leadership roles in the United States. larrysherwoodjr.com · Resume (PDF)
Read Larry's guides →Curated by Larry Sherwood Jr. on the free Mobility Jobs board. Pulled nightly from company applicant tracking systems. Apply directly on the source link above to be considered.