SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 145,000 - 175,000 / annual
Familiar Machines & Magic is building Physical AI platforms for human connection, starting with Familiars—physically embodied AI systems designed to form long-term, emotionally intelligent relationships with people. The company was founded by industry leaders from iRobot, Outrider, and Amazon, with a collective track record of deploying over 50 million consumer robots worldwide.
You will join the Industrial Design team as a Softgoods Developer, translating design intent into softgoods constructions that integrate seamlessly with the Familiar's mechanical systems while preserving its form, movement, and tactile qualities. This is a highly hands-on role spanning materials selection, patterning, construction, prototyping, supplier development, and manufacturing follow-through.
Key responsibilities include:
- Translating Industrial Design intent into softgoods constructions, patterns, materials, and assembly solutions that preserve the Familiar's physical character and movement
- Building and iterating hands-on prototypes to evaluate fit, construction, range of motion, tactile quality, durability, and hardware integration
- Developing solutions across textiles, foams, elastomers, closures, trims, bonding, and other soft-material processes, balancing design intent with performance and manufacturability
- Partnering closely with Hardware Engineering, Operations, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to resolve soft-to-hard integration, assembly, serviceability, and manufacturing challenges
- Carrying softgoods solutions from prototype through supplier development and production, including material and process development, sample reviews, specifications, documentation, build support, and manufacturing follow-through
You will work across Design, Engineering, suppliers, and manufacturing partners in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. The role initially focuses on softgoods integral to the Familiar's physical embodiment, with broader opportunities across the product ecosystem.
Location: Boston (Woburn, MA) preferred with frequent travel to Los Angeles Metro (Glendale, CA), or Los Angeles with frequent travel to Boston. Occasional additional domestic and international travel as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
- 5+ years of experience developing technically integrated softgoods from concept through production, ideally in consumer electronics, robotics, wearables, sporting goods, footwear, or related categories
- Deep hands-on expertise in pattern making, sewing, bonding, and softgoods prototyping, with experience across processes such as molding and lamination
- Strong knowledge of technical textiles, foams, elastomers, trims, closures, and their performance and manufacturing characteristics
- Experience with 3D softgoods development tools such as CLO 3D, Browzwear, or similar
- Ability to work from 3D product CAD (e.g., Rhino, SolidWorks, Autodesk Alias, or Fusion 360) to develop patterns and constructions around complex mechanical geometry
- Experience integrating softgoods with rigid mechanical systems, including designing for fit, attachment, assembly, and durability around moving joints and repeated actuation
- Experience carrying solutions through supplier development and production
Note: The company welcomes applications from candidates who may not meet every requirement but demonstrate strong culture fit and relevant experience.
