Hardware Test Lead

mavenrobotics; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Maven Robotics is seeking a hardware testing lead to own test strategy from concept to fixture design and execution at the robot level. You will collaborate with product teams to define tests, verify hardware, and ensure safety standards for launches.

You will design test fixtures, collect data, and translate results into product improvements. The role requires hands-on testing, strong communication, and experience with reliability and safety testing in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in hardware testing.
• BS in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, systems engineering, or similar field.
• Experience developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Understanding of machine safety or functional safety standards.
• Experience setting up test instrumentation and data logging equipment.
• Self-starter with strong problem solving and execution skills.
• Eagerness to contribute in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the test strategy for robot subsystems and define what to test, why, and cadence.
• Take test plans from concept through execution and design test fixtures.
• Guide cross-functional engineering efforts to build, verify, and execute testing.
• Develop accelerated reliability test plans and correlate data to real-world operations.
• Design safe and reliable testing fixtures and environments for continuous operation.
• Plan, build, and execute certified safety testing for new product launches.

Skills

Hardware testing

Test instrumentation

Data logging

Communication skills

Startup environment

Education

BS in mechanical engineering / robotics / mechatronics / systems engineering

MS in mechanical engineering / robotics / mechatronics / systems engineering

Tools

FEA tools

Job description

About Maven

Maven Robotics designs, builds, and deploys intelligent robotics for logistics and manufacturing. Maven is building the first general-purpose robotics system for industrial work. Our mission is to activate autonomous labor at scale and build toward infinitely elastic industrial capacity. We're a team of engineers, researchers, and operators who have spent our careers working on the hardest problems in AI, robotics, engineering, and autonomous systems. We work at the intersection of advanced research and real-world engineering, turning ideas into prototypes and deployed systems.

At Maven, we build around the realities of industrial work. The robots are designed from first principles for complex physical environments and rigorous commercial standards. They master real tasks that deliver immediate impact, industrial-grade reliability, and intelligence that compounds at scale. We're growing an ambitious team of people who think in systems, move quickly, and are builders at heart.

About the Role

In this role, you will own hardware testing at Maven from high-level test strategy development through fixture design and test execution. You will work collaboratively with other teams to define, architect, and execute hardware tests at the subsystem and full-robot level. Hardware testing will include design verification, functional and reliability testing, life and environmental testing, and safety verification.

What You'll Do

• Own the test strategy for robot subsystems. Work with the product development team to define what needs to be tested, why, and at what cadence
• Take test plans and fixtures from concept through execution. Design the test fixture hardware and translate data into recommendations to improve product design
• Guide cross-functional engineering and technical efforts to build, verify, and execute testing
• Develop accelerated reliability test plans and methods to correlate the resulting data to real-world operations
• Design safe and reliable testing fixtures and test environments that can run continuously with minimal intervention
• Plan, build, and execute certified safety testing. Perform tests under the supervision of regulatory bodies for robotics safety standards, demonstrating safety for new product launches

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in hardware testing
• BS in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, systems engineering, or similar field
• Experience in developing functional specifications, design verification plans and functional test procedures
• The ability to communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience
• Understanding of machine safety or functional safety standards
• Experience setting up test instrumentation and data logging equipment
• Self-starter attitude with strong ability to identify problems, prioritize them, then plan and execute working solutions
• Enthusiasm for working in a fast paced startup environment and eagerness to support the team on a variety of topics

Nice to Have

• 10+ years of experience in hardware testing
• MS in mechanical engineering, robotics, mechatronics, systems engineering, or similar field
• Experience as a mentor, tech lead or engineering team lead
• Solid understanding of failure mechanics, stress analysis, and common FEA tools
• Scripting experience in Python, MATLAB, or a similar language

Equal Opportunity

Maven Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.