Senior Hardware Test Engineer - Components

Hardware FYI; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Apptronik is seeking a Senior Hardware Test Engineer to own design validation, reliability, and production testing for PCBAs, wiring harnesses, sensors, and compute modules. You will define test methods, fixtures, and test campaigns, including HALT/HASS, and collaborate with design, firmware, and manufacturing teams to scale validation into manufacturing.

You will lead test automation development, fixture design, and root-cause analysis to deliver robust production-ready tests and reliable

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics or related field with 6 years of experience; MS 4 years; PhD 2 years.
• Experience validating electronic hardware with bench equipment.
• Knowledge of ICT, flying probe, and functional test methods.

Responsibilities

• Own design validation, reliability, and production test for PCBAs, wiring harnesses, sensors, and compute modules.
• Design and run HALT/HASS test campaigns and develop harness tests.
• Build fixtures and test automation; diagnose failures to board, connector, or component level.
• Define test methods with pass/fail criteria and handoff to Manufacturing Test.
• Collaborate with design, firmware, and manufacturing teams to scale tests into production.

Skills

PCBAs validation

Wiring harnesses

Sensors

Compute modules

HALT/HASS

Test automation

Fixture design

Root cause analysis

Schematic analysis

Debugging

Python

LabVIEW

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Robotics + 6 years

MS in related field + 4 years

PhD in related field + 2 years

Tools

Oscilloscopes

DAQ systems

Power supplies

Bed-of-nails fixtures

LabVIEW

Python

Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Senior Hardware Test Engineer to own design validation, reliability, and production test for the electronic components behind Apptronik's robots: PCBAs, wiring harnesses, sensors, and compute modules. You will design and run test campaigns including HALT/HASS, define test methods and fixture requirements (ICT, flying probe, functional test) and work with fixture designers to get them built, and root-cause failures down to the board, connector, or component level. You will work closely with design, firmware, and manufacturing teams, and hand off validated test processes to the Manufacturing Test team as programs scale into production.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Component Validation Testing: Plan and execute test campaigns to validate PCBAs, wiring harnesses, sensors, and compute modules against specs across electrical, thermal, and environmental conditions.
• HALT/HASS & Harness Reliability: Design and run HALT to find design margins and failure modes, develop HASS screens for production, and define harness tests that capture field-failure drivers such as continuity, insulation and contact resistance, connector retention, and flex and strain relief.
• Sensor & Compute Characterization: Apply an understanding of each sensor modality's physics (e.g., IMU, encoder, force/torque, camera, thermal) to characterize accuracy, noise, drift, and environmental sensitivity, and stress key compute parameters (clocks, voltage rails, thermals, memory and I/O load) to find performance limits.
• Test Automation, Fixtures & Root-Cause Analysis: Build fixtures and test automation, and diagnose failures down to the board, connector, or component level with actionable feedback to design.
• Production Test Handoff: Develop test methods with defined pass/fail criteria and operator documentation, then transfer them to the Manufacturing Test team to support incoming inspection and production testing.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Hands-on experience validating electronic hardware (PCBAs, wiring harnesses, sensors, or compute modules) using bench equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, and DAQ systems.
• Experience with production test methods such as in-circuit test (ICT), flying probe, and functional test, including designing fixtures (e.g., bed-of-nails) and defining pass/fail criteria and handoff documentation.
• Experience with HALT/HASS, including defining stress profiles and interpreting failure modes, plus knowledge of what drives harness field failures (contact resistance, connector retention, flex fatigue).
• Strong debugging skills to root-cause failures to the board, connector, or component level using schematics, harness drawings, and datasheets.
• Understanding of sensor physics (e.g., IMU, encoder, force/torque, camera, thermal) sufficient to characterize accuracy, noise, drift, and environmental sensitivity.
• Preferred: Experience stressing compute platforms (clocks, voltage rails, thermals, memory and I/O load) to find performance limits and failure modes.
• Preferred: Experience with robotics, humanoid, or other electromechanical systems, including actuator or motor-driven hardware.
• Preferred: Experience transitioning test methods from R&D into production or manufacturing environments, including NPI.
• Preferred: Test automation experience (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, or similar) for data acquisition, analysis, and automated test sequencing.
• Preferred: Familiarity with DFT (design for test) and DFM practices, including working with design engineers to add test points and improve testability.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field + 6 years of relevant experience, OR MS in a related field + 4 years, OR PhD in a related field + 2 years.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate

Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.