Lead Hardware Development Test Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA; North Reading (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA seeks a highly hands-on Lead Hardware Development/Test Engineer to build and scale a new testing function for autonomous robotics systems. You will bootstrap a test organization from the ground up and drive the hardware testing roadmap across cross-functional teams.

In this role you will set up labs, select equipment, design fixtures, and lead efforts with hardware and software test engineers, delivering reliable validation of complex electro-mechanical systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechatronics.
• Strong background in mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Proven experience with autonomous systems or robotics hardware.
• Hands-on experience with hardware validation, lab setup, and test fixtures.

Responsibilities

• Own Hardware Test Strategy: Define and drive the hardware testing roadmap for autonomous robotic systems.
• Build and Scale Test Infrastructure: Set up testing labs, select equipment, and create testing environments.
• Design Test Fixtures: Lead design of custom fixtures for robotics systems to ensure reliability.
• Hands-On Testing & Execution: Perform hardware tests and troubleshoot with software/hardware teams.
• Technical Leadership: Provide direction to hardware/software test engineers and promote best practices.

Skills

Hardware validation

Lab setup and equipment

Designing test fixtures

Autonomous systems experience

Independent bootstrap of new processes

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronics

Tools

Lab equipment

Hardware-in-the-loop testing

Job description

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life‑saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life‑saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

We are seeking a highly hands‑on Lead Hardware Development/Test Engineer to help build and scale a new testing function for cutting‑edge autonomous robotics systems. This role is ideal for a self‑driven individual who thrives in unstructured environments and is excited to bootstrap a test organization from the ground up.

You will be responsible for;

Own Hardware Test Strategy

• Define and drive the overall hardware testing roadmap for autonomous robotic systems
• Develop test methodologies, validation plans, and test execution frameworks

Build and Scale Test Infrastructure

• Set up and configure testing labs, including selection of equipment and tools
• Design and implement test environments to support development and validation

Design Test Fixtures

• Lead the design and development of custom test fixtures for robotics systems
• Ensure fixtures support reliability, repeatability, and scalability in testing

Hands-On Testing & Execution

• Roll up your sleeves to execute hardware tests and troubleshoot issues
• Partner with software test teams and hardware engineers to validate system performance

Technical Leadership

• Provide clear technical direction to hardware and software test engineers
• Guide test teams in executing against defined strategies and best practices
• Act as a thought leader in testing for complex electro-mechanical systems

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software teams
• Support integration of hardware and software testing processes

Qualifications;

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field

• Strong background in mechanical and/or electrical systems (both preferred)

• Proven experience working on autonomous systems, robotics, or similar advanced hardware platforms

• Hands‑on experience with:

  • Hardware validation and testing
  • Lab setup and test equipment selection
  • Designing test fixtures

• Ability to operate independently and bootstrap new processes and teams from scratch

• Strong problem‑solving skills and willingness to take initiative

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with mechatronics systems (ideal)
• Background in autonomous robotics development environments
• Experience leading technical direction for test teams (without formal people management)
• Familiarity with both hardware and software testing integration

Salary Range: $140K - $180K

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job‑related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug‑free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre‑employment drug screening as a condition of hire.