Senior Hardware Developer

Avidbots; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Avidbots in Kitchener, ON is seeking a senior hardware developer to advance the electrical design of our next generation floor-scrubbing robots. You will contribute to sub-module design, PCB layout, and system-level engineering, working closely with a small hardware team to drive reliability and quality.

The role requires a strong background in robotics hardware, safety standards, and hands-on prototyping, with opportunities to influence design decisions, testing, and V&V across the product

Qualifications

• B.Sc. in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 7+ years hardware design experience in robotics or safety-critical fields.
• Experience with all product development stages and hardware lifecycle.
• Track record of design for manufacturing and shipping quality products.
• Excellent electrical design and PCB layout skills.
• Experience with test instrumentation and debugging.
• Familiar with engineering BOM management and change control.
• Strong understanding of functional safety standards and metrics.

Responsibilities

• Design sub-modules of the electrical system and contribute to systems engineering.
• PCB and layout design for analog, digital, and power circuits including control boards.
• Address design challenges from system architecture to board-level testing.
• Collaborate with mechanical team on wiring harness design to minimize EMI.
• Execute FSM plans to meet IEC 61508, IEC 63327, IEC 60335-2-72 standards.
• Perform HARA, FMEA, and FMEDA activities.
• Select, configure, and test sensor suites and mechatronics (LiDAR, ToF, encoders).
• Develop V&V strategies including HIL testing and FIT.
• Drive ideation, prototyping, and bench testing of new hardware features.

Skills

Robotics hardware

PCB layout

Analog/digital design

Power electronics

Schematic & debugging

Functional safety

Education

B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Mentor Graphics

ROS

Jira

Google Suite

Job description

About Avidbots:

Avidbots is a robotics company with a vision to bring robots to everyday life to expand human potential. Headquartered in Kitchener, ON, Canada, Avidbots is offering comprehensive service and support to customers on 5 continents. Our ground-breaking product, the Neo autonomous floor scrubbing robot, is deployed around the world and trusted by leading facilities and building service companies.

We need a highly detailed-oriented senior hardware developer to help us design our new robots and take them to the next level of reliability and quality. You will work on the electrical detail design of the next generation of floor scrubber robots that will take over the cleaning industry. Ideally, you thrive working on a small hardware team where you can quickly become a key part of the design team and contribute to the overall design and prototyping of electrical systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work on sub-module design of the electrical system of our robots, and contribute to systems engineering.
• Participate in PCB and layout design of analog, digital, and power circuits: control boards, sensor interfaces, power distribution, safety, and motor control units.
• Tackle design challenges ranging from high-level system architecture, power distribution, embedded and analog design to detailed schematic and PCB design, debugging, and testing on a board and system level.
• Design circuits that vary from safety boards to control units and motor control units.
• Collaborate with our mechanical team on Wiring Harness Design to minimize EMI and ensure proper mounting, shielding, and accessibility of electronic circuits.
• Execute Functional Safety Management (FSM) plans across the product lifecycle to ensure compliance with IEC 61508, IEC 63327, and IEC 60335-2-72 standards.
• Perform Hazard Analysis & Risk Assessments (HARA), System Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Component FMEDAs.
• Select, configure, and test advanced sensor suites and mechatronics, including 2D/3D LiDAR, Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors, drive encoders, and failsafe brakes.
• Design and execute comprehensive Verification & Validation (V&V) strategies, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing and Fault Injection Tests (FIT).
• Drive ideation, prototyping, and bench testing for new hardware features, such as automated fluid and power docking stations.

Requirements:

• B.Sc. in electrical engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 7+ years of hardware design experience in a relevant field (Robotics, Safety Critical, Medical, Aerospace, Automotive, etc.).
• Experience with all stages of product development and the hardware development cycle.
• History of product design for manufacturing and shipping quality products.
• Excellent electrical design and PCB layout skills.
• Proficient with standard test instrumentation equipment such as DMM, Scope, Power Supply, and Function Generator.
• Familiar with Managing Engineering Bill of Materials and Change Management Methodology.
• Familiar with Dfx Analysis.
• A driven individual who is passionate about robotics and a self-starter.
• Deep understanding of functional safety standards and the ability to evaluate hardware safety integrity metrics like MTTFd and Diagnostic Coverage.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience working with robots or complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience designing hardware for safety-critical applications (such as aerospace, medical, or automotive).
• Experience with electronics design simulation and the Mentor Graphics suite of tools.
• Experience with Standards or certification experience (UL, CSA, CE, etc.).
• Strong interest in robotics.
• Previous experience operating or servicing industrial and/or commercial floor cleaning equipment.
• Familiarity with the Robot Operating System (ROS), Linux-based operating systems, Jira, and Google Suite.