# Sam Pannepacker > OpenAI Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/sampannepacker I’m a hands-on mechanical engineer with a deep curiosity for how things work. I use prototyping to think, explore, and learn while developing cross-disciplinary systems. When I’m not building in a lab, you’ll likely find me hand-digging flowy mountain bike trails in a forest and excitedly acknowledging various forest flora. ## Work Experience ### Member of Technical Staff @ OpenAI Jan 2026 – Present | San Francisco, California, United States Robotics ### Head of Hardware @ Armstrong Robotics Jan 2023 – Jan 2026 | San Francisco, CA Built the first deployed dishwashing robot that runs 24/7 in commercial kitchens. ### Founding Mechanical Design Engineer @ Armstrong Robotics Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | San Francisco, California, United States Joined as the first hardware engineer to lead prototyping and development of core subsystems for the company’s first robotic product. ### Lead Mechanical Engineering Technician, Performance Team @ Roam Robotics Jan 2019 – Jan 2022 | San Francisco, California Developed a modular powerpack and a repairable powered knee brace concept. Designed custom PCBs and wire harnesses. Supported field testing and demos, maintained a fleet of robotic leg systems, and integrated user feedback into design iterations. Also led quick-turn prototyping efforts, managed the internal shop, and trained teammates on fabrication tools, including a 3-axis CNC mill. ### Contract Product Development @ Self Employed Jan 2019 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco Bay Area Led contract hardware design and engineering projects involving impact resistant assemblies, custom PCBs, firmware, charging circuits, and Bluetooth LE integration. Managed electrical and software engineers and collaborated with international vendors to deliver functional prototypes. ### Hardware Lead and Industrial Designer @ Virtual Visions Jan 2018 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco Bay Area Led new product exploration and development at a retail-focused startup, delivering interactive digital signage and smart mirror systems deployed in 200+ stores. Owned full-cycle development across industrial design, mechanical and electrical engineering, prototyping, component sourcing, and integration with software teams. Provided hands-on product support, UI/UX feedback, and QA testing. ### Pier 9 Shop Staff, Exhibit Designer @ Autodesk Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco, California Served as exhibit designer and shop staff at Autodesk’s Pier 9 Technology Center, creating displays highlighting internal research, residency projects, and partner work. Supported residents and employees in using advanced fabrication equipment, including CNC mills, laser cutters, waterjet, and 3D printers. ### Intern – Product Design, IoT Research @ Autodesk Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | San Francisco Bay Area Interned with Autodesk’s Emerging Technology group to explore how connected devices could reshape design tools and workflows. Prototyped interactive hardware, including a generic, modular 6DOF input device that acted as a physical avatar for intuitive interaction with virtual content. Presented outcomes to executive leadership and used Autodesk’s Pier 9 Technology Center for fabrication and testing. ### Fabricator and Industrial Designer @ New Project, LLC Jan 2015 – Jan 2015 | Brooklyn, New York Worked with a multidisciplinary fabrication team on beautiful furniture, custom artwork, museum displays, and flagship retail installations. Designed and managed key elements of intricate Calvin Klein window displays, including large-scale CNC topographic maps. Contributed to projects for the Cooper Hewitt Museum and Calvin Klein’s Madison Avenue store. ### Genius Bar Technician @ Apple Jan 2011 – Jan 2013 | Corte Madera, CA Provided technical support and one-on-one product training at Apple’s Genius Bar, helping customers troubleshoot hardware and software issues across the Apple ecosystem. Adapted to evolving tools and workflows while delivering personalized support in a fast-paced retail environment. ## Education ### Undergraduate in Industrial Design Pratt Institute Jan 2013 – Jan 2017 ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sampannepacker - Portfolio: http://sampannepacker.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/sampannepacker JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/sampannepacker/resume.json Last updated: 2026-03-25