R&D Test Technician

As a Test Technician on the development team, you will be a part of a growing, cross-disciplinary, fast-moving robotics team, helping to verify that prototypes are performing according to design specifications. Your typical hands-on work will include constructing testing systems (& sometimes prototype product systems), dense electro-mechanical integrations, motor & gearbox assemblies, control units, sensors, batteries, and electrical distribution systems. You will be hands-on in lab building and debugging testing systems, ranging from small experimental set-ups to fully integrated prototype robots. You will build, debug, and operate test systems. When products fail a test, you will troubleshoot the device under test (DUT) and the test system itself, to characterize, localize, and to the extent possible, find root cause for the fault, with the help of engineers as needed. The DUTs may range in scale from individual mechanisms and circuit board assemblies to complete robots.

To thrive in this role, you must be able to work quickly and adapt to constantly evolving technical considerations, while keeping track of several threads at the same time.

Day to day activities:

● Supports initial build of complex prototype electromechanical sub-assemblies such as actuators, computers, power distribution systems, sensors, embedded data acquisition systems, and embedded processors.

● Conduct design verification testing for new robot subsystems. Troubleshoot and identify root causes of system failures in sub-assemblies and complete robots.

● Review, critique, augment, and execute test plans and procedures with minimal engineering guidance. Perform a critical role by identifying detailed and nuanced design issues and recommending corrective actions to design engineers.

● Review plans and may help design elements of custom test fixtures using CAD programs such as Altium, Solidworks, and Catia.

Develop, design, and document assembly processes and work techniques.

● Plan lab equipment, work spaces, and project timelines in coordination with managers and engineers to ensure we have the environment and equipment necessary to accomplish project goals related to creation and verification of prototype robots.

Required Skills:

● At least 6 years hands-on experience assembling, troubleshooting, and servicing complex electro-mechanical systems (for example automotive, motorsports, robotics, aircraft repair, etc.)

● At least 4 years building, debugging, operating, and improving electro-mechanical test setups.

● Basic fabrication skills, including skilled use of hand tools & shop equipment

● Experience using diagnostic logs and telemetry to troubleshoot complex systems

● Experience with lab equipment including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, programmable loads, thermal probes

● Able to multitask and adapt quickly to changing project priorities as needed to support the team

● Clearly communicate test results and data, verbally and in writing

● Soft skills: organized, attention to detail, team-oriented thinking, collaborative, fast learner

Nice to haves:

● Experience with robotic systems

● Development of automated test systems

● Intuitive sense of how to create test systems representative of product usage

● Interpreting engineering requirements and considering what test methods and systems can most easily verify compliance with requirements

● Interpreting test specifications, mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, & PCB layouts

● Soldering skills and general knowledge around reworking PCBAs and connectors

● Advanced fabrication skills, including 3D printing, precision machining, welding, etc.

● Experience with communication interfaces, such as Ethernet, PCIe, CAN, SPI, and I2C

● Familiarity with position encoders, cameras, force sensors, and other robotic sensors.

● Basic CAD use (Altium, Catia, Solidworks) for opening assemblies and designing test fixtures

● Prototype cable assembly and routing (soldering, crimping, overmolding, etc.)

● Programming microcontrollers, such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi

● Python scripting, C coding, and command-line operations in a UNIX-like OS

● Familiarity with Google software (including Gmail, Gdoc, Gsheet, Gslides), graphics tools (Visio, Lucidchart, Miro), Atlassian tools (including Jira), and Jama for requirements management & verification planning