Robotics Lab Automation Engineer

TechDigital Group; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

TechDigital Group in Mountain View, CA seeks a hands-on Mechatronics/Robotics Engineer to retrofit testbeds for automated robot interaction and run structured experiments across hardware, software, and environmental enclosures. You will prototype end-effectors, perform basic soldering, and document results for iterative improvement.

The role collaborates with Google engineering direction, emphasizes rapid prototyping, data logging, and clear reproduction logs for defects or script failures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Robotics, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Testbed Retrofitting: Modify and upgrade testbeds to support robotic interaction.
• Automation Experimentation: Set up configurations testing hardware, software, fixtures.
• Benchmarking & Data Collection: Log metrics into data sheets or Drive repositories.
• Prototyping & Assembly: 3D print end-effector fingers and basic wiring.
• Defect & Triage Reporting: Document collisions, script failures, and hardware issues with logs.

Skills

Collaborative robot arms

Python scripting

CAD reading

3D printing

Soldering/basic electronics

Electromechanical R&D

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Robotics, or equivalent

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

Requirements-

• Supports robotic automation R&D within the device validation/test lab. The primary objective of this role is to tactically upgrade existing testbeds to be "robotic-friendly " and execute structured experiments across various combinations of hardware, software, tooling, and environmental enclosures. All work shall be performed under the technical direction of Google engineering and in accordance with provided experimental matrices.

Expected Services & Deliverables-

• Testbed Retrofitting (Robotic Enablement): Modify and upgrade existing physical testbeds to support automated robot interaction. Assemble and integrate quick-change kinematic fixtures, standardized device alignment trays, and physical datum markers based on provided engineering sketches or CAD models.
• Automation Experimentation: Set up and execute defined experimental configurations testing different combinations of:
• Hardware: Various COTS robotic arms, pneumatic grippers, force/torque sensors, and webcams.
• Software: Different control libraries, motion planning parameters, or basic vision detection scripts.
• Fixtures: Vacuum vs. mechanical clamping holding solutions.
• Environment: Varying lighting conditions or acoustic baffling solutions.
• Benchmarking & Data Collection: Run automated benchmarking routines across the experimental setups. Log quantitative metrics—such as cycle times, alignment repeatability, sensor noise, and failure rates—into structured data sheets or Drive repositories.
• Prototyping & Assembly: Perform basic mechanical assembly, 3D printing of experimental end-effector fingers, and minor wire harnessing/soldering to bring up prototype test configurations quickly.
• Defect & Triage Reporting: Document any physical collisions, script failures, or hardware incompatibilities observed during experimentation. Provide detailed reproduction logs and visual documentation (photos/videos) via internal bug tracking tools.

Minimum Requirements-

• Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Robotics, or equivalent practical experience in an electromechanical R&D lab.
• Hands-on experience setting up, operating, and basic scripting of collaborative robot arms (e.g., Universal Robots).
• Proficiency in Python for running, tweaking, and debugging experimental data logging scripts.
• Experience with rapid prototyping tools (3D printing, hand tools, basic soldering).
• Ability to read CAD models (SolidWorks/NX) and execute precise mechanical adjustments.