Motor Test Technician

1X; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 85,962,000 - 137,540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Onsite snacks

Catered lunches

EAP for mental health

Life insurance

Job summary

1X is hiring a hands-on electromechanical technician in California to own motor and actuator validation testing, operate dynos, collect data, and collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Controls teams to improve actuation systems.

The role emphasizes safety, reliability, and real-world performance, with opportunities to contribute to test infrastructure, fixtures, and procedures. 3+ years in motor/actuator testing and strong troubleshooting are preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience testing electric motors and actuators.
• Experience operating dynamometers and data acquisition systems.
• Ability to interpret test plans and configure test setups.
• Experience collecting and analyzing test data in Excel.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting around energized hardware.

Responsibilities

• Execute motor, actuator, dyno, and durability testing.
• Maintain test capability across dynamometers, thermal equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, sensors, and fixtures.
• Perform inspections and teardowns to identify wear, damage or failure mechanisms early.
• Produce accurate test data and clear technical reports for engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot test-system and hardware failures and document likely causes.

Skills

Hands-on electromechanical

Motor testing

Actuator testing

Troubleshooting

Tools

Dynamometers

Power supplies

Data acquisition

Sensors

Thermal equipment

Mechanical fixtures

Job description

About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in any space humans exist with the mission to create an abundance of labor. Simple, but it’s not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, software, hardware, manufacturing and operations at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship - a general purpose robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it, we're shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time safely creating abundance for all.

About the Team:

The Test & Validation team makes sure NEO and its critical systems are safe, reliable, and ready for the real world. We build and operate the test infrastructure needed to understand how our hardware performs, where it fails, and what needs to improve before it reaches customers.

The Motor Test team focuses on validating the drive units and actuators that allow NEO to move. You’ll work hands‑on with motors, actuators, dynos, test fixtures, instrumentation, and data while partnering closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Reliability, and Design Engineering teams.

Your Charter: Own the hands‑on execution of motor and actuator validation testing, generating reliable data on performance, durability, and failure behavior that engineering teams can use to improve NEO’s actuation systems.

You’ll operate dynos and other test equipment, prepare and integrate test articles, monitor long‑duration tests, perform inspections and teardowns, troubleshoot failures, and help improve the test systems and procedures that support the motor validation program.

Key Outcomes:

• Execute motor, actuator, dyno, and durability testing safely and consistently from setup and fixture integration through test completion.
• Maintain reliable test capability across dynamometers, thermal equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, sensors, cabling, control systems, and custom fixtures.
• Perform scheduled inspections, teardowns, and test‑article evaluations to identify wear, damage, or failure mechanisms early.
• Produce accurate test data and clear technical reports that give engineering teams confidence in performance and durability results.
• Troubleshoot test‑system and hardware failures, isolate likely causes, and provide clear technical documentation to engineering owners.

Key Competencies:

• Hands‑on electromechanical technician with strong mechanical and electrical aptitude.
• Comfortable operating complex test equipment and working with rotating machinery, motors, actuators, sensors, and instrumentation.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to distinguish test‑equipment problems from Device Under Test failures.
• Detail‑oriented and disciplined when executing long‑duration, repetitive, or safety‑critical testing.
• Strong communicator who can document observations clearly and work effectively with engineering teams.

Minimum Requirements:

• 3+ years of hands‑on experience testing electric motors, actuators, drive systems, or complex electromechanical hardware.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting test equipment such as dynamometers, power supplies, data acquisition systems, sensors, thermal equipment, or mechanical fixtures.
• Ability to interpret test plans and specifications, configure test setups, monitor tests, and identify abnormal behavior.
• Experience collecting and analyzing test data using Excel or similar tools.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills with the ability to work safely around moving and energized hardware.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience testing electric motors, gearboxes, integrated drive units, robotic actuators, or other high‑performance electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with torque, speed, current, voltage, temperature, vibration, efficiency, and durability measurements.
• Experience with motor dynos, endurance testing, accelerated life testing, or reliability testing.
• Experience with test automation, data acquisition, scripting, or improving test‑cell throughput.
• Experience working in robotics, automotive, aerospace, or other high‑performance hardware environments.

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like:

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

Compensation Range:

$30.00 - $48.00/hr

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
• 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
• Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
• Short‑term and long‑term disability, and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
• Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.