Staff Test Engineer - Actuators

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Staff Test Engineer – Actuation to own the design validation and NPI test process for Apptronik's custom actuator systems. This is a hands-on, multi-disciplinary role spanning mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software testing — requiring someone who can independently drive actuator characterization and validation from initial bringup through design verification, and build the test methods and automation that transfer to test ops as programs move into production.

You will design and execute actuator test campaigns, develop robust bringup and calibration workflows, diagnose hardware issues across the full electromechanical stack, and deliver validated, well-documented test processes that are ready for handoff. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls engineers — connecting test data to root-cause analysis and hardware design improvements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actuator Bringup & Calibration: Lead the bringup process for new actuator hardware — including firmware deployment, motor and encoder calibration, and functional verification. Develop documented, repeatable procedures that can be transferred to test ops for production use.
• Design Validation Testing: Plan and execute design validation campaigns to characterize actuator performance across the operating envelope. Tests span mechanical (e.g., efficiency, stiffness, backlash, life), electrical (e.g., peak current, thermal limits, drive performance), and system-level (e.g., positional accuracy, off-axis loading, effort production) domains.
• Test Method Development for Production: Design and validate the production test methods used during NPI — including test scripts, post-processing, pass/fail criteria, and operator documentation — then hand off to the test ops team with the tooling and training needed to run them at scale.
• Test Automation & Data Infrastructure: Build Python-based test automation, data pipelines, and analysis tools that enable repeatable, scalable validation across multiple actuator types and hardware revisions.
• Test Equipment Operation: Operate and configure dynamometer, benchtop, and custom test setups. Manage fixture configurations and load motor modes across different actuator and gearbox variants.
• Cross-Stack Root-Cause Analysis: Diagnose actuator performance issues spanning firmware, electrical, and mechanical domains using structured, data-driven reasoning. Provide clear, actionable feedback to design teams.
• System Identification: Apply system identification techniques to characterize actuator dynamics — including inertia, friction, bandwidth, and torque constant — providing data that supports both hardware validation and simulation fidelity.
• Collaboration & Reporting: Work closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls engineers. Communicate test results, failure modes, and recommendations clearly to engineering and program leadership.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications

• Direct hands-on experience testing and characterizing actuators, motors, or gearboxes — including operation of dynamometer or motor test stand systems.
• Experience with motor bringup and calibration workflows, with enough firmware and electrical fluency to diagnose calibration and drive faults independently.
• Strong cross-disciplinary debugging ability across mechanical, electrical, and firmware domains.
• Proficiency writing production-grade Python for test automation, data analysis, and post-processing.
• Demonstrated experience designing test methods and procedures — including pass/fail criteria and handoff documentation — not just executing pre-written scripts.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and motor datasheets.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary hardware teams with fast iteration cycles.
• Comfortable operating at staff level: leading technical workstreams, influencing engineering decisions with data, and mentoring others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with humanoid or legged robot actuator systems.
• Familiarity with thermal modeling and thermal test methods for electric motor systems.
• Knowledge of motor drive electronics, power electronics, and power stage design margins.
• System identification background: frequency-domain analysis, bandwidth measurement, and dynamic model extraction.
• Experience transitioning test methods from R&D into production or manufacturing environments.
• Simulation experience (MuJoCo, Isaac Sim/Lab, etc.) and sim-to-real validation workflows.
• Docker, scripting, or infrastructure tooling for test automation at scale.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field + 6 years of relevant experience, OR
• MS in related field + 4 years of relevant experience, OR
• PhD in related field + 2 years of relevant experience.

Candidates with non-traditional backgrounds who can demonstrate equivalent hands-on experience with actuator testing and robotic hardware bringup are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.