Hardware Validation Engineer

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Hardware Validation Engineer to own the in-house test infrastructure that validates our humanoid robots. This is a foundational, hands-on role: you will not just run tests; you will build the rigs that run them. You will be the engineer who walks into a conversation with a systems owner, leaves with a clear picture of what needs to be tested and what equipment that requires, then turns around and gets it built - sourcing parts, designing mechanical and electrical components, and commissioning the rigs on the validation floor.

Responsibilities

• Test Rig & Jig Arrangement (Core Focus)
• In-House Validation Rigs: Lead the arrangement of test rigs and jigs for in-house validation of subsystems and full robots. You decide what gets built, what gets bought, and how they integrate into the validation workflow.
• Test Rig Development: Design and build custom mechanical jigs and fixtures to stress-test specific sub-systems (e.g., repeating arm movements, actuator loading, cable flexing, end-effector cycling).
• Commissioning: Bring each rig from a CAD model to a working setup on the floor - wiring, instrumentation, data capture, and first article validation.
• Scope & Requirements Definition
• Systems Owners Engagement: Work directly with the owners of each robot subsystem (actuators, manipulators, perception, power, etc.) to define what needs to be validated, at what coverage, and with what fidelity.
• Supportive Test Equipment Specs: Translate validation needs into concrete requirements for supportive equipment - PCB test beds, mechanical fixtures, instrumentation, data loggers - and decide what we build vs. buy.
• Validation Plans: Convert the resulting scope into validation plans that align with the product release roadmap.
• Procurement & Supplier Coordination
• Parts Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and order parts and equipment from external suppliers - from standard COTS components to custom fixtures.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with suppliers of test equipment and custom fabricated parts; negotiate lead times that align with our test schedule.
• Cost & Lead Time: Own the budget and lead-time picture for the validation infrastructure you build.
• Mechanical & Electrical Rig Design
• Mechanical Design: Design mechanical components of test rigs in CAD - fixtures, frames, motion stages, mounts - to a quality where they can be fabricated and assembled without rework.
• Electrical Design: Design the electrical side of the rigs - wiring, power distribution, sensor integration, basic control electronics - including schematics and BOMs.
• DfX for Test Rigs: Apply manufacturability and reliability principles to your own rigs, so they remain trustworthy for the months or years they will be in service.
• Reliability & Compliance Support
• Life-Cycle & Endurance Testing: Support long-term endurance and life-cycle tests (HALT/HASS, MTBF) where the rigs you build are the enabling infrastructure.
• Regulatory Awareness: Understand what each validation activity contributes to certification (EMC, environmental, safety) and design rigs that produce certification-grade data where required.

Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years in hardware validation, test engineering, or test equipment development, preferably in robotics, automotive, or aerospace.
• Rig Design: Proven hands-on experience designing and building test rigs and fixtures - from concept through commissioning.
• Mechanical Design: Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, Fusion, NX, or similar) and a working knowledge of mechanical components (linear stages, bearings, motors, actuators) and basic machining/fabrication processes.
• Electrical Design: Comfortable designing the electrical side of a rig - schematics, wiring harnesses, power distribution, sensor integration. You can spec and wire up a DAQ from scratch.
• Cross-Functional: Track record of working closely with system/component owners to translate validation needs into testable infrastructure.
• Procurement: Experience sourcing parts and equipment from external suppliers, including custom fabrication.
• Data Acquisition: Proficiency with DAQ systems (LabVIEW, National Instruments, Dewesoft) and common sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, load cells, encoders).
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with certification processes (UL, CE, FCC) and standards (IEC 61000 for EMC, IEC 60068 for Environmental).
• Robotics: Prior experience validating robotic systems (manipulators, legged platforms, AMRs).
• Python: For automating data collection and basic test orchestration.
• PC

Additional Information

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That's why we've set out on a mission to build the world's most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We're bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we're growing the team to take it even further.

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at Humanoid? Share your experience