Why This Role is Different:
Humanoid robotics is one of the most active investment and engineering races happening right now — and most of the hard problems are still mechanical, not algorithmic. This role puts you at the center of it: you'll spend six months tearing down and analyzing real humanoid robot actuator and joint systems, then translate what you find into a strategic recommendation that goes directly to SFS's automotive division leadership.
This isn't a "shadow the team and make slides" internship. You'll own a structured research question from day one, get weekly 1:1 guidance to sharpen your thinking, and see your analysis actually shape whether and how a global precision-manufacturing company enters a new market. If you like taking something ambiguous and turning it into a clear, well-argued conclusion — this is built for that.
This is a hardware and strategy role, not an algorithm-focused position — you won't be writing production code, but you will be doing rigorous technical and analytical work.
What You'll Do:
• Tear down and analyze the mechanical architecture of humanoid robot actuators and joints — ball screws, planetary roller screws, harmonic drives, joint brakes, structural components
• Map what you find against SFS's own manufacturing capabilities (precision machining, cold forming, automotive brake systems) to answer a real question: could we actually build this?
• Build structured comparison matrices and capability-fit assessments that become part of a leadership-facing business case
• With potential extension to market-side questions, after the technical teardown and mapping— competitive landscape, supplier positioning, where the real opportunities are
• Visit SFS's Medina production site to pressure-test your findings with the engineer team.
What You'll Get:
• Direct, hands-on exposure to cutting-edge humanoid robotics hardware
• Weekly mentorship and structured guidance — this is designed to teach you how to run real research, not just keep you busy
• Visibility with SFS technology and automotive leadership — your work will directly inform a real strategic decision
• Strong possibility of extension based on mutual fit and result
