About the role
Opportunity Overview
Handshake is looking for experienced robotics engineers to support AI research through flexible, part-time contract work. This is not a traditional job — you'll draw on your hands-on experience in control systems, motion planning, or robotic systems design to evaluate AI-generated content and provide feedback that helps AI reason like a practicing robotics engineer.
This is an ongoing, project-based opportunity you can take on alongside your current role.
What You'll Do
Use your domain expertise to create expert-level robotics problems and scenarios grounded in real system design, sim-to-real workflows, and field deployment Review and evaluate AI-generated responses for technical accuracy, feasibility, and alignment with how the work is actually done Provide structured written feedback to help improve AI model performance Complete tasks at your own pace with no set schedule or minimum hour requirement
Qualifications
Ideal candidates meet all three of the following:
Industry/research experience — has shipped real robotic systems or published research, and can build a full sim-to-solution task end to end Degree — MS or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science with a robotics focus. Senior industry robotics engineers without an advanced degree also qualify Sub-domain depth — demonstrated expertise in one of the following areas:
ROS/ROS2 and control theory Motion planning, kinematics/dynamics, and sensor fusion SLAM and simulation (Gazebo, MuJoCo, Isaac Sim)
Candidates who meet at least 2 of the 3 qualifications above are also encouraged to apply.
Additional qualifications (not required, but strengthen your application)
Proficiency across the full robotics stack — ROS/ROS2, MuJoCo, Gazebo, or Isaac Sim Experience shipping robotic systems to production or publishing in robotics venues
Required for all applicants
Must have US work authorization Strong written communication and attention to detail Ability to explain complex robotics concepts clearly Ability to work independently in a remote, asynchronous environment