Hardware Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Hardware Product Designer

Company: Menlo

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Hardware Product Design / Industrial Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the industrial design vision and execution for Asimov, an open-source humanoid robot platform, shaping its physical form, user experience, and manufacturing viability.

• Translate complex mechanical and electrical constraints into elegant, intentional physical designs that complement and highlight the underlying engineering.

• Define and implement Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) strategies to enhance the robot's aesthetic appeal, durability, and brand identity in real-world applications.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and manufacturing to ensure designs are production-ready, buildable, and repeatable.

• Own the design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) processes, focusing on tolerances, fastening strategies, serviceability, and part count optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is listed as Hardware Product Designer, the description and AI-generated skills strongly indicate a focus on Industrial Design within hardware product development, specifically for electromechanical systems like robots. The emphasis on aesthetics, CMF, and human-facing details points towards an industrial designer with a strong understanding of engineering realities. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a need for on-site presence for prototyping and collaboration, despite the possibility of remote work for certain tasks.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the industrial design of the Asimov humanoid robot, encompassing concept development, form language definition, and the creation of production-ready enclosures, covers, and structural aesthetic elements.

• Integrate mechanical and electrical engineering requirements seamlessly into the physical design, ensuring a cohesive and intentional aesthetic that doesn't obscure the underlying technology.

• Develop and execute comprehensive CMF strategies, making critical decisions on color palettes, material selection, surface finishes, and textures that align with brand identity and withstand field conditions.

• Conduct rapid prototyping using various methods such as foam, 3D printing, and machined parts, and iterate designs based on feedback from real robot testing and functional prototypes.

• Foster close, collaborative relationships with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are practical, cost-effective, and manufacturable at scale.

• Champion Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout the design process, paying close attention to critical tolerances, fastening methods, ease of serviceability, and reduction of part count.

• Design and refine human-interactive elements of the robot, including grips, handles, access panels, status indicators, and any other components a user directly touches or interprets.

• Contribute to the overall product strategy by ensuring design decisions align with the company's mission to make humanoid labor economically viable and to open-source technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards the tangible aspects of product design for hardware, with a clear emphasis on execution and collaboration within a hardware development environment. The mention of "shipping to real hardware, not renders" and "iterating on real robots" highlights the practical, hands-on nature of this role, requiring a designer who can bridge the gap between concept and physical reality.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Mechanical Engineering with a design focus, or a related field is typically expected for this level of responsibility.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in hardware product design, with a significant portion focused on industrial design for complex electromechanical products.

Required Skills:

• A robust portfolio showcasing successful, shipped physical products, with a preference for complex electromechanical hardware.

• Mastery of industrial design fundamentals, including strong principles of form, proportion, ergonomics, and CMF.

• High proficiency in CAD software and surfacing techniques, coupled with demonstrable experience in DFM and DFA.

• Proven ability to transition concepts from sketches to functional prototypes and ultimately to production-ready designs with minimal external support.

• A proactive, hands-on approach to building, testing on hardware, and iterating designs rapidly.

• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills, balancing design perfection with the need for timely product shipment.

• Familiarity with translating engineering constraints into aesthetically pleasing and functional designs. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in robotics, consumer electronics, automotive, or wearables industries.

• Proven track record of taking a product from its initial concept through to its first production run.

• Hands-on proficiency in shop skills such as 3D printing, CNC machining, mold making, and finishing techniques.

• A strong understanding of how design elements contribute to and reinforce brand identity.

• Experience with human-robot interaction design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of strong design fundamentals and practical engineering/manufacturing knowledge, reflecting the need for a designer who can operate effectively within a fast-paced R&D lab environment. The portfolio requirement is critical, serving as the primary evidence of practical application and shipped products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of projects demonstrating end-to-end industrial design ownership, from initial concept sketches and ideation to final production-ready CAD models.

• Detailed case studies of at least two shipped physical products, highlighting the design challenges, problem-solving methodologies, and the impact of design decisions on manufacturability and user experience.

• Visualizations of DFM and DFA considerations, such as tolerance studies, assembly sequences, and part consolidation strategies, integrated into project case studies.

• Examples of CMF development, including material research, color studies, and finish application, with explanations for choices made and their impact on product perception and durability.

• Prototypes and iteration examples, showcasing the design process from early physical models to refined functional prototypes. Process Documentation:

• Documentation of your approach to user research and ergonomic analysis in the context of hardware design.

• Examples of how you've collaborated with engineering teams to resolve design-for-manufacturing challenges.

• Case studies detailing your process for defining and implementing CMF strategies for complex products.

• Documentation of your rapid prototyping and testing workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio for this role is paramount, serving as tangible proof of the candidate's ability to deliver real-world hardware designs. It should not only showcase aesthetic capabilities but also a deep understanding of the practical constraints of manufacturing and assembly, as well as the integration of CMF.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Mid-Senior Level Hardware Product Designer with 5-10 years of experience in a high-cost-of-living city like Singapore, the estimated annual salary range is SGD 120,000 - SGD 180,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including workshops, conferences, and training.

• Stock options or equity participation in a rapidly growing R&D lab.

• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Singapore.

• Access to cutting-edge hardware development tools and laboratory facilities.

• Flexible working arrangements as part of a hybrid model.

• Contribution to open-source projects with global impact.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility. This role is hybrid, requiring a balance of on-site collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on Singapore's market rates for experienced hardware design professionals, considering the specialized nature of robotics and the company's R&D focus. Benefits are typical for tech companies in Singapore, with an emphasis on professional growth and direct impact on cutting-edge technology.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Applied R&D, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Open-Source Software/Hardware. Menlo Research is at the forefront of developing humanoid robot platforms, aiming to make physical labor economically viable at scale through advanced robotics and AI.

Company Size: The company is likely a growing startup or scale-up, given its R&D focus and open-source mission. This implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a flat hierarchy and opportunities for significant individual impact.

Founded: Menlo Research was founded with a clear mission to advance humanoid robotics. The company's founding principles are rooted in innovation, rapid iteration, and a commitment to open-source development.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely consists of a small, highly skilled group of industrial designers and product designers working closely with specialized engineering teams.

• Reporting structure is likely lean, with the Hardware Product Designer reporting to a Design Lead, Head of Engineering, or CTO, facilitating direct communication and quick decision-making.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with designers working hand-in-hand with mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, software engineers, and manufacturing specialists on a daily basis. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While design is creative, decisions will be informed by engineering constraints, manufacturing feasibility, user feedback, and performance metrics from real-world robot testing.

• Iterative Development: The company emphasizes moving fast and shipping to real robots, meaning a highly iterative design process with rapid prototyping and continuous feedback loops.

• Open-Source Philosophy: A core methodology involves contributing back to the community through open-sourcing technology, fostering collaboration and accelerating innovation across the field.

Company Website: https://menlo.ai/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as fast-paced, iterative, and deeply collaborative, with a strong emphasis on tangible results and open-source contributions. This is typical of R&D-focused tech companies aiming to disrupt established industries.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior to Senior level within the Hardware Product Design discipline. It offers significant ownership and influence over the physical manifestation of a groundbreaking technology. The responsibilities go beyond traditional industrial design, encompassing deep involvement in DFM, DFA, and CMF, as well as direct collaboration with engineering and manufacturing.

Reporting Structure: The Hardware Product Designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Head of Hardware, or CTO. They will be a key contributor within the product development team, working closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, as well as manufacturing specialists.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and profound impact on the success of the Asimov robot. The physical design influences user perception, brand identity, manufacturing efficiency, durability, and overall cost-effectiveness. A well-executed design can accelerate market adoption and reinforce Menlo's mission to make humanoid labor economically viable.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in robotics industrial design, CMF for electromechanical systems, or advanced DFM/DFA for complex hardware.

• Leadership: Progress into a Design Lead or Managerial role, overseeing design strategy and mentoring junior designers.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a strong understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and potentially AI integration from a hardware perspective.

• Product Ownership: Take on greater responsibility for entire product lines or key components, driving design vision from concept to mass production.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to defining the aesthetic and functional standards for the emerging humanoid robot market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers substantial growth potential, not just within design but also into broader product development and leadership roles, given the company's ambitious mission and the foundational nature of the product.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The work environment is a hybrid model, combining on-site collaboration at Menlo's facilities in Singapore with the flexibility of remote work. This suggests a modern office setup designed to foster collaboration, with dedicated spaces for design, engineering, and prototyping.

Office Location(s): Singapore, Singapore. This location provides access to a hub of technological innovation and a skilled workforce. The office is likely equipped with advanced design tools, prototyping labs, and potentially facilities for testing physical hardware.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect environments that encourage spontaneous interaction, brainstorming sessions, and close-knit teamwork between designers and engineers.

• Advanced Tools & Technology: Access to high-end CAD workstations, rendering software, 3D printers, CNC machines, and other prototyping equipment will be crucial for rapid iteration.

• Hands-on Prototyping: The workspace will likely include areas for building and testing physical prototypes, allowing designers to interact directly with their creations and gather immediate feedback.

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers will be embedded within or work very closely with engineering teams, fostering a seamless workflow and shared understanding of project goals.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement. This allows for focused work periods, whether at home or in the office, and dedicated time for in-person collaboration, crucial for hardware design and prototyping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is key, implying a need for both focused, individual work and intensive, in-person collaboration, especially for hands-on prototyping and engineering integration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the recruiting team to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: An in-depth session with the hiring manager and/or senior designers to critically evaluate your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss your design process, rationale, challenges, and outcomes for each project, especially those involving electromechanical hardware and DFM/DFA.

• Technical/Engineering Collaboration Interview: A discussion with mechanical and/or electrical engineers to assess your understanding of engineering constraints, your ability to collaborate effectively, and your practical knowledge of manufacturing processes. This may involve problem-solving exercises related to integrating design with engineering.

• Cross-Functional & Cultural Fit Interview: Conversations with team members from different disciplines (e.g., software, manufacturing) to gauge your teamwork, communication skills, and alignment with Menlo's fast-paced, iterative, and open-source culture.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership (e.g., CTO, Head of Hardware) to assess strategic thinking, long-term vision, and overall fit for the company's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Shipped Products: Prioritize projects that have been manufactured and shipped. Highlight your specific contributions and the impact of your design decisions.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate your design process, from initial research and ideation through to prototyping, engineering collaboration, and production.

• Emphasize DFM/DFA: Include specific examples of how you've addressed design for manufacturability and assembly challenges. Show CAD details, tolerance considerations, and assembly sequences.

• Highlight CMF Expertise: Present your CMF decisions with clear justifications. Include material samples, color palettes, and finish examples, explaining how they enhance the product's appeal and durability.

• Demonstrate Iteration: Show examples of early prototypes and how they evolved based on testing, feedback, and engineering constraints.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., reduced part count, improved assembly time, positive user feedback on ergonomics, successful CMF implementation).

• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio emphasizes your experience with complex electromechanical hardware and your ability to work in a fast-paced, iterative environment.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking Exercise: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge related to robotics, user interaction, or manufacturing constraints. Focus on your problem-solving approach, ideation techniques, and ability to consider practical implications.

• DFM/DFA Problem-Solving: You might be presented with a CAD model or a design concept and asked to identify potential manufacturing or assembly issues and propose solutions.

• CMF Strategy Scenario: You may be asked to develop a CMF strategy for a specific product based on a given brief, considering target audience, brand, and manufacturing capabilities.

• Collaboration Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would collaborate with engineers to overcome a design conflict or integrate a new technical requirement into your design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess both design creativity and practical execution capabilities. The portfolio review is critical, and candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only aesthetic talent but also a deep understanding of engineering, manufacturing, and CMF within the context of hardware product development.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software for surfacing, solid modeling, and assembly design. Examples include Autodesk Fusion 360, SolidWorks, PTC Creo, or similar high-end parametric and surfacing tools.

• Prototyping Tools: Hands-on experience with 3D printers (FDM, SLA, SLS), CNC machines, and potentially other fabrication methods for rapid prototyping.

• Rendering Software: Tools for creating realistic product visualizations and mockups (e.g., Keyshot, V-Ray, Adobe Substance 3D Painter).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly for data analysis, designers may use project management tools or internal systems to track progress and collaborate on design specifications. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design role, but familiarity with project management and collaboration platforms (e.g., Jira, Asana, Slack) is expected for team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on CAD and rapid prototyping tools, reflecting the hands-on nature of hardware product design. Proficiency in specific CAD packages will depend on the company's internal stack, but a strong foundation in surfacing and solid modeling is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, tinker with technology, and push the boundaries of what's possible in robotics.

• Bias for Action & Iteration: A preference for building, testing, and learning quickly over extensive planning. Speed and agility are key.

• Openness & Collaboration: A commitment to open-source principles, knowledge sharing, and working collaboratively across disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for projects and outcomes, driving them to completion with a focus on shipping real products.

• Pragmatism & Judgment: Balancing ambitious design goals with practical engineering and manufacturing realities, knowing when to push and when to compromise.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Designers work shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers, fostering a fluid exchange of ideas and rapid problem-solving.

• Direct Communication: Emphasis on clear, concise, and direct communication to ensure alignment and efficiency.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on designs and processes to drive continuous improvement.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Encouragement to learn from colleagues in different fields, fostering a well-rounded understanding of the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture is characterized by a strong emphasis on innovation, rapid execution, and open collaboration, typical of cutting-edge R&D environments. The values align with a startup mentality focused on tangible product delivery and community contribution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Engineering: Integrating complex mechanical and electrical components into a sleek, human-centric form factor while adhering to strict DFM/DFA guidelines.

• Rapid Iteration Under Pressure: Constantly evolving designs based on real-world testing and engineering feedback in a fast-paced development cycle.

• Defining a New Category: Establishing the visual identity and user experience for a nascent product category (humanoid robots) where established standards are still emerging.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Ensuring seamless collaboration and shared understanding between design, engineering, and manufacturing teams with different priorities and technical languages.

• CMF Durability in Harsh Environments: Developing CMF strategies that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also robust enough to withstand the physical demands of robot operation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Robotics: Gain extensive knowledge of humanoid robot systems, including locomotion, manipulation, and autonomy from a hardware design perspective.

• Advanced DFM/DFA: Hone skills in designing for high-volume, complex electromechanical manufacturing processes.

• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) Design: Explore the unique design challenges and opportunities presented by human-robot interaction.

• Brand Identity Development: Contribute significantly to shaping the brand identity of a pioneering robotics company.

• Leadership in a Growing Field: Opportunity to become a key opinion leader in the industrial design of humanoid robots.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working on a novel and complex product in a fast-moving R&D environment. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering deep specialization and leadership potential in a high-impact field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Philosophy: "Describe your design philosophy when creating electromechanical hardware. How do you balance form, function, and manufacturability?" (Prepare to discuss your approach to integrating engineering constraints with aesthetic goals).

• Portfolio Walkthrough: "Walk us through your most challenging shipped hardware product. What were the key design decisions, engineering challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on a project demonstrating DFM/DFA and CMF expertise).

• Problem-Solving Scenario: "Imagine we need to reduce the part count in the Asimov robot's torso without compromising structural integrity or aesthetics. How would you approach this?" (Think about modular design, integrated components, and material optimization).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Mission Alignment: "Why are you passionate about Menlo's mission to make humanoid labor economically viable?" (Connect your design passion to the company's impact).

• Open-Source Contribution: "How do you see your role contributing to Menlo's open-source ethos?" (Consider how design documentation, shared assets, or design standards can be shared).

• Teamwork Approach: "Describe a time you had a significant disagreement with an engineer about a design. How did you resolve it?" (Highlight your collaborative problem-solving skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – the problem, your process, the solutions, and the outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals (renderings, photos of prototypes, CAD screenshots) to illustrate your points. Show, don't just tell.

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the impact of your design decisions, whether it's improved user experience, reduced manufacturing cost, or enhanced brand perception.

• DFM/DFA Integration: Explicitly show how you've considered manufacturing and assembly. Point out specific details like tolerances, fasteners, and assembly sequences.

• CMF Rationale: Be ready to defend your CMF choices, explaining the reasoning behind material selection, color palettes, and finishes.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects efficiently, focusing on the most relevant aspects for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the intersection between industrial design, engineering, and manufacturing, supported by a compelling portfolio that showcases practical application and shipped products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Hardware Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature complex electromechanical hardware projects, emphasizing your contributions to industrial design, DFM, DFA, and CMF. Highlight shipped products with detailed case studies.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to align with the job description, using keywords such as "Industrial Design," "Hardware Product Design," "DFM," "DFA," "CMF," "CAD," "Prototyping," and "Robotics." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare for Portfolio Review: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your decisions. Be ready to discuss your experience with rapid prototyping and collaboration with engineering teams.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Menlo's mission, the Asimov robot, and their open-source approach. Understand their market position and the unique challenges of designing for humanoid robots.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.