Robot Manipulation R&D Engineer

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.

Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.

Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.

If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

The Role

Hadrian’s Robotics team builds hardware and software that powers next-generation manufacturing. We are looking for a Robot Manipulation R&D Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of intelligent automation systems for manufacturing environments.

Our mission is to scale Hadrian’s core machining business across multiple factories in the U.S. by building robotic systems that operators, technicians, and systems depend on every day. We move quickly, ship continuously, and turn real factory needs into production-ready products. This role is ideal for engineers passionate about pushing the boundaries of robotic dexterity, perception, and autonomy in real-world industrial applications.

What You’ll Do

• Develop novel algorithms and system architectures for robotic manipulation, grasping, and assembly in unstructured manufacturing environments.

• Design and implement end-to-end manipulation pipelines integrating perception (e.g., 3D vision), planning, and control.

• Collaborate with mechanical engineers to prototype and iterate on custom end-effectors, sensor mounts, and robotic tooling.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to collect, document, and translate operational needs into detailed technical requirements and interface specifications.

• Support team growth by contributing to hiring, mentoring junior engineers, and establishing technical best practices and workflows.

What We’re Looking For

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 3+ years of hands-on experience in robotic manipulation, control systems, or autonomous systems development.

• Strong proficiency in C++ or Python.

• Proven experience with motion planning, kinematics, and control of robotic arms

• Deep understanding of robot dynamics, force control, and grasp planning.

• Experience with simulation environment and hardware deployment.

• Experience leading cross-disciplinary teams and full product lifecycle ownership.

• Excellent communication and documentation abilities.

• Passionate about advancing manufacturing automation through robotics innovation.

Compensation

For this role, the target salary range is $160,000 - $260,000 (actual range may vary based on experience).

This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees
  401k

• Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.

• Flexible vacation policy

• Equity

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy.

Hadrian will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws. We do not ask about criminal history on our application, and we do not consider criminal history before making a conditional offer of employment.

Hadrian does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of rrace, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental status, physical disability or any other legally protected status. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.