Basis, an applied AI research organization, needs to build the physical platforms that embody their AI research and ensure the lab environment enables rapid, safe experimentation to understand and build intelligence and advance society's ability to solve intractable problems.
Requirements
- Demonstrated expertise in robotic hardware development. Examples include: Designing and building custom robotic platforms, Integrating sensors, actuators, and compute systems, Creating modular, reconfigurable hardware systems, Troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems
- Possess strong mechatronics skills spanning mechanical design (CAD, fabrication, assembly), electrical engineering (circuit design, power systems, signal processing), and embedded systems (microcontrollers, real-time control, ROS).
- Experience with lab management and safety including developing safety protocols, maintaining equipment inventories, organizing workspaces, and training users on proper procedures.
- Understand the research-hardware interface. You can translate researcher needs into hardware specifications, anticipate common failure modes, and design systems that balance capability with reliability.
- Skilled at rapid prototyping and iteration. You can quickly build proof-of-concept systems, identify issues through testing, and iterate designs based on experimental results.
- Value documentation and maintainability. You create clear documentation for hardware designs, maintain accurate BOMs, and design systems that others can understand and modify.
- Progress with autonomy while ensuring safety. You can manage multiple hardware projects, prioritize based on research needs, and make decisions that balance speed with safety.
Responsibilities
- Design and build custom robotic platforms for experiments, including manipulators, mobile robots, and specialized end-effectors for research tasks.
- Develop modular hardware systems for testbeds that can be reconfigured to test different morphologies and validate co-designed robot architectures.
- Create sensor and actuator modules that integrate with research software, including cameras, force sensors, IMUs, and custom actuator designs.
- Support hardware-software integration by working with researchers to ensure reliable communication between physical systems and control algorithms.
- Establish and maintain safety protocols including lockout/tagout procedures, emergency stops, safety interlocks, and personal protective equipment requirements.
- Organize and maintain lab infrastructure including workbenches, tool organization, storage systems, and specialized equipment like 3D printers and test fixtures.
- Train researchers on safe equipment use including robot operation procedures, tool usage, safety protocols, and emergency responses.
Other
- Full-time.
- In-person Policy: We are in the office four days a week. Be prepared to attend multi-day Basis-wide in-person events.
- Location: New York City or Cambridge, MA (must be on-site for lab management).
- Competitive salary.
- Exceptional candidates who may not meet all of the following criteria are still encouraged to apply.
