Lab Engineer - Robotics & Automation

Steneral Consulting; North Reading (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon is seeking a Lab Engineer for its robotics and automation lab in Wilmington, MA. The role focuses on maintaining high test uptime, operating motion capture systems, performing hands-on robot repairs, and building the infrastructure for prototype testing across multi-site labs.

The candidate will own test environments, interpret engineering documentation, and deliver high-quality technical artifacts to feed back into product development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or Electrical/Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years in technical lab/robotics environments operating and maintaining hardware.
• Experience with hardware rework, repair, fixture assembly, and prototype fabrication.
• 3+ years reading schematics, CAD drawings, SOPs, and technical specs.
• Strong safety compliance with lab interlocks and LOTO.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot lab environments and test fixtures to maximize uptime.
• Perform hardware rework, repairs, and prototype fabrication as needed.
• Calibrate motion capture systems (OptiTrack, Vicon) and integrate third-party devices.
• Review CAD drawings, schematics, and SOPs to build test setups.

Skills

Robotics lab operations

Electro-mechanical troubleshooting

Hardware repair

Safety and lockout/tagout

Test documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM/Engineering

Tools

CAD software

PLC/IO systems

Motion capture hardware

OptiTrack/Vicon systems

Job description

Lab Engineer - Robotics & Automation - Wilmington, MA, USA ( North Reading, MA)

Scope & Deliverables: Responsible for maximum lab uptime, motion capture calibration, fixture assembly, prototype rework, and delivering formal engineering test artifacts.

Leadership path: Opportunity to mentor new lab technicians/associates as the team scales, with potential to step into a Lab Manager role.

NON-NEGOTIABLES

Education: Bachelor's degree or above in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or Bachelor's degree or above in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.

Electro-Mechanical & Lab Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in technical lab, robotics, electro-mechanical, or automation environments operating and maintaining hardware.

Hardware Rework & Repair: Demonstrated experience performing physical component-level repairs, board rework, fixture assembly, and prototype fabrication.

Engineering Documentation Depth: 3+ years of experience reading and interpreting schematics, CAD models, SOPs, and technical specifications.

Safety Standards Compliance: Proven commitment to operating within strict lab safety protocols (e.g., equipment interlocks, LOTO/lockout safety devices).

NICE-TO-HAVES

Optical Motion Capture (OptiTrack, Vicon) calibration, skeleton setup, and data streaming experience.

Python or C++ scripting for test automation and data processing.

Experience integrating third-party sensors (e.g., force plates, gantry systems).

DISQUALIFIERS

Disqualifier #1: Remote-only or hybrid candidates who cannot work 100% onsite across the assigned MA lab locations (Wilmington, North Reading, Woburn).

Disqualifier #2: Candidates lacking physical electro-mechanical repair and troubleshooting experience (e.g., pure software QA or pure academic simulation backgrounds).

Disqualifier #3: Candidates without a STEM or Engineering Bachelor's degree (mandatory requirement per raw client spec).

Position Overview

The Lab Engineer will join the System Verification and Validation team at Amazon to own and operate the test environments that prove next-generation robotics systems are production-ready. As new test labs come online, this role focuses on maintaining high test uptime, operating specialized motion capture systems, performing hands-on robot repairs, and building the operational infrastructure for prototype testing.

Day-to-day Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot test environments, test fixtures, control systems (PLC/IO), and lab equipment to ensure high uptime for hardware verification and validation.
• Perform hardware rework, component testing, prototype fabrication, and robot repairs to maintain test readiness and diagnose root causes.
• Set up, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot optical motion capture systems (e.g., OptiTrack, Vicon) and integrate third-party devices like force plates.
• Manage overall lab resources, equipment, supplies, materials stocking, and station PC/webcam systems while following strict safety protocols (lockout/interlocks).
• Interpret engineering documentation including CAD drawings, electrical schematics, equipment specifications, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Author high-quality technical artifacts, including test reports, work instructions, and lessons-learned documentation to feed back into the product development cycle.

Required Skills

• 5+ years of experience in a technical lab, robotics, electro-mechanical, or automation environment operating, testing, and maintaining equipment.
• 5+ years of experience troubleshooting, diagnosing, and maintaining electro-mechanical systems, control systems (e.g., PLC, I/O), or lab equipment.
• 3+ years of experience completing hardware rework, repair, prototype fabrication, component testing, and executing safety protocols (lockout/tagout, interlocks).

Additional Desired Skills

• Hands-on experience operating, calibrating, and troubleshooting optical motion capture systems (OptiTrack, Vicon) including rigid body/skeleton setup and post-processing.
• Knowledge of Python and/or C++ programming for data streaming and automation scripts.
• Experience integrating data from third-party instrumentation (force plates, gantry controls) within motion capture and tracking environments.
• Strong cross-functional technical communication skills to gather requirements and develop lab tools/processes.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

A resourceful, hands-on Lab Engineer or Electro-Mechanical Technician with deep expertise in robotics test labs and prototype environments. The ideal candidate excels at physical hardware troubleshooting, data-driven system validation, and lab operations, maintaining high rigor while working in fast-growing, multi-site development labs.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain, operate, and troubleshoot test environments, control systems, and specialized lab equipment to ensure high test availability.
• Perform physical robot repairs, hardware reworks, and prototype fabrication to keep testing on schedule.
• Set up, calibrate, and execute tests using optical motion capture systems, force plates, and automated test fixtures.
• Interpret CAD models, electrical schematics, and SOPs to build test setups and evaluate subsystem performance.

Document findings by producing detailed test reports, work instructions, and continuous