Design and prototype core mechanical systems and precision mechanisms for a consumer robotics platform. Create fabrication-ready drawings, iterate rapidly with hands-on testing, collaborate with robotics/software/product teams, analyze noisy data, and drive decisions on manufacturability, materials, and mechanical architecture.
About Overlay
What You’ll Do
What We’re Looking For
Bonus Points
Benefits
The Team
Culture & Values
Overlay is building the world’s first intelligent makeup robot—reimagining beauty application through robotics, perception, and design. As a venture-backed, pre-launch startup, we’re defining a new category of personal robotics at the intersection of self-expression and engineering. Our system operates directly on the human face, requiring an unprecedented level of precision, safety, and real-world robustness.
We’re a small, highly technical team working in person in Oakland—building something that does not yet exist, and making it real.
- Design and prototype core mechanical systems for our novel robotic platform
- Develop custom mechanisms for motion, positioning, and precision actuation
- Collaborate with robotics, software, and product teams to ensure seamless integration across disciplines
- Create assembly and fabrication-ready part drawings
- Rapidly iterate concepts using hands-on testing, user feedback, and research data
- Noisy data analysis / reduction
- Contribute to decisions around manufacturability, materials, and mechanical architecture
- Form and justify opinions based on limited data in a congenial manner
- Juggle several projects, knowing dynamic prioritization is critical at this stage
- Embody our company values of ownership, velocity and craft
At least 5 of the following things:
- 3+ years of experience in machine design, robotics, or consumer hardware
- Strong hands-on experience
- Proficiency in Solidworks; other CAD experience is acceptable
- CFD, bonus for mixed fluid analysis
- Microfluidics
- High precision mechanism design, preferably polymer based
- Test fixture design
- Working knowledge of ASME 14.5
- Mechatronics experience
- An optimized blend of speed and quality.
- You are energized by collaborating in-office with your peers.
- 3D printing, machining, rapid prototyping
- Passion for human-centered hardware and creative applications of engineering
- Experience working with contract manufacturers
- Injection molding
- Process experience
- Design of Experiments
- Interesting side projects
- Highly competitive salary & generous early-stage equity
- Best-in-class medical, dental & vision insurance
- 401(k) matching program
- Flexible Time Off with 10 paid holidays
- Commuter benefits
- Office in downtown Oakland near 19th Street BART station
- Small, fast-moving team with high ownership and low process
- Strong bias toward shipping, learning, and iterating quickly
- In-person collaboration in our Oakland office
- Move Fast, Move Smart: Act quickly, but with clear thinking and good judgment.
- Extreme Ownership: Own outcomes fully from idea to execution to results.
- Disagree Boldly, Then Commit Fully: Challenge ideas openly, then align and execute without hesitation.
- Intellectual Honesty Above All: Prioritize truth over ego. Be candid, admit mistakes, and follow the evidence.
- Live Demos: Show real, working results instead of talking about ideas.
Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is $150,000–$250,000 annually based on level in addition to equity & benefits.
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