Robotics Hardware Integration and Test Engineer
Apptronik
Apptronik is building robots for the real world to improve human quality of life and to help solve the ever-increasing labor shortage problem. Our team has been building some of the most advanced robots on the planet for years, dating back to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. We apply our expertise across the full robotics stack to some of the most important and impactful problems our society faces, and expect our products and technology to change the world for the better. We value passion, creativity, and collaboration to help us overcome existing technological barriers in the industry to create truly innovative products.
You will join a team developing state-of-the-art general-purpose robots designed to operate in human spaces and with human tools. It is designed to work alongside humans, mobilize to human spaces, and manipulate the world around it.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a driven and hands-on Robotics Hardware Integration & Test Engineer to join our team at Apptronik. This role is crucial for transforming engineering designs into a highly reliable, high-performing humanoid robot platform. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of hardware validation, from initial power-on to leading the development of our automated testing infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
- Hardware Bring-Up & Diagnostics: Lead the initial power-on, functional check, and system diagnostics for new prototype hardware and assemblies. Quickly identify, diagnose, and resolve electrical and mechanical integration issues.
- System Calibration: Develop and execute procedures for robot calibration, including kinematic and dynamic calibration, to ensure the robot's physical model is precisely aligned with its software control stack.
- Design Verification (DV): Own the hardware verification process, ensuring that components and assemblies meet all specified Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and engineering requirements.
- Hardware Reliability Testing: Design and execute formal reliability testing protocols (e.g., accelerated life testing, stress tests, thermal cycling) to determine hardware performance limits, longevity, and mean time between failures (MTBF).
- Component & Assembly Testing: Conduct verification tests at both the component level (e.g., actuators, sensors) and the full assembly level (e.g., robot limbs, torso) to validate performance, durability, and reliability.
- HIL Testbed Ownership: Take full ownership of HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) Testbed Development, designing, building, and maintaining sophisticated automated test environments for rapid, robust, and repeatable verification of new hardware and software.
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Meticulously record, analyze, and report all test results. Provide clear, data-driven feedback and bug reports to the Mechanical and Electrical design teams.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in hardware integration, testing, and validation for complex electromechanical systems (robotics, aerospace, or automotive preferred).
- Proven hands-on expertise with hardware bring-up, measurement tools (oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies), and debugging interfaces.
- Demonstrated experience designing, building, and maintaining HIL testbeds is required.
- Strong theoretical and practical understanding of robot kinematics and dynamics necessary for calibration.
- Experience in developing and executing formal Design Verification Test (DVT) plans and hardware reliability testing protocols.
- Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and technical documentation software.
- Ability to read and interpret detailed electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
- A meticulous, detail-oriented approach to testing and documentation.
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
- Hearing and speech to communicate
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.