Sr. Manufacturing Software Engineer

Capstan Medical, Inc.; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage 100%

Flexible time off

Job summary

Capstan Medical, Inc. seeks an experienced engineer to own the hardware-in-the-loop testing and manufacturing tests for a novel surgical robot.

You’ll work at the hardware/software interface, turning evolving design requirements into validated production tests and supporting the production line. You will collaborate with R&D to translate requirements into robust automated tests, bring-up fixtures, and data-driven decisions to ensure reliable patient-ready test coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience in medical devices or safety-critical systems
• Experience with Python and C++
• Proven experience at hardware/software interface – motors, encoders, brakes, sensors, motion control
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop test systems and automated testing

Responsibilities

• Define and shape test strategy, architecture, and standards for production testing of a first-of-its-kind surgical robot
• Develop manufacturing tests for robotic subassemblies and systems from early development through design transfer
• Own and maintain deployed manufacturing tests with updates and production support
• Derive test requirements from product and design requirements with traceability
• Lead verification and validation of manufacturing test software, including protocols and reports
• Design hardware-in-the-loop test systems to automate software and hardware testing
• Retrieve and analyze device data and logs for yield drivers and trends
• Document work through design reviews and released documents
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in test development and debugging

Skills

Python

C++

Git

Hardware-in-the-loop

Lab instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in Computer/Electrical/Mechatronics

Tools

ROS

EtherCAT/CAN

Job description

There is no playbook for what we’re building. Capstan is bringing a first-of-its-kind surgical robot to
patients, and the way to build and test it at scale doesn’t exist yet – you’ll help invent it. This isn’t
maintaining tests for a mature product on a settled line. You’ll join a newly formed team that works
alongside R&D while the design is still evolving, defining from first principles how we prove a novel
robot is ready for the patient, every single time.

In this role, you’ll own the software and test systems that make that proof possible – from
subassemblies through full system integration. Working at the interface of hardware and software,
you’ll partner with R&D to turn evolving design requirements into robust, validated manufacturing tests.

You’ll architect and develop the hardware-in-the-loop systems that automate how we test, bring up the
fixtures that run them, and make sure every test software change reaches the production line cleanly.
You’ll thrive here if you love getting your hands on real hardware, debugging across mechanical,
electrical, and software boundaries, and letting data drive your decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define, from first principles, how a first-of-its-kind surgical robot is tested in production – there is no industry template to copy, so you’ll shape the test strategy, architecture, and standards the team builds on
• Develop manufacturing tests for robotic subassemblies and systems, working closely with R&D from early development through design transfer
• Own and maintain deployed manufacturing tests, including updates, bug fixes, and support on the production line
• Derive manufacturing software test requirements from higher-level product and design requirements provided by R&D, with traceability between them
• Lead verification and validation of manufacturing test software, including protocols, execution, and reports
• Design and develop hardware-in-the-loop test systems to automate software and hardware testing
• Develop test methods at the hardware/software interface, such as brake calibration, encoder and brake health checks, and motion and sensor characterization
• Implement tools to retrieve and analyze device and controller data (eg. logs and diagnostics over EtherCAT)
• Support bring-up, debug, and commissioning of manufacturing test fixtures and equipment
• Deliver manufacturing test readiness on schedule for planned development, verification, and clinical builds
• Manage test software releases so that updates are versioned, verified before reaching the line, and rolled out without disrupting production
• Analyze test data using scripting tools (eg. Python) to identify trends, anomalies, and yield drivers
• Influence firmware/software teams to implement diagnostic hooks and manufacturing-friendly features
• Document and communicate work through design reviews and released documents as part of the product development process
• Identify gaps and pitch in as needed to ensure the team meets its goals and objectives
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in test development, debugging, and best practices

What you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience, medical device or similar safety critical system experience preferred (higher degree can offset years of experience)
• Experience with Python and C++
• Proficiency with software development practices: version control (Git), code reviews, and release management
• Proven experience working at the hardware/software interface – motors, encoders, brakes, sensors, and motion control
• Experience designing and building hardware-in-the-loop or automated test systems
• Experience with industrial communication protocols (eg. EtherCAT, CAN, serial) and lab instrumentation (DAQs, power supplies, oscilloscopes)
• Hands‑on debugging of integrated electro‑mechanical systems using schematics, logs, and instrumentation
• Experience deriving test requirements and writing and executing test protocols and reports
• Familiarity with Linux and robotics software frameworks (eg. ROS) preferred
• Familiarity with medical device regulations and software validation (eg. ISO 13485, IEC 62304, 21 CFR 820) preferred
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, and Production teams
• Hands‑on, detail‑oriented, and able to work independently in a fast‑paced environment
• Eagerness to learn and push the envelope to bring a novel surgical robotic platform to market

• Be an early member of a newly formed team and help take a novel surgical robot from prototype to production – the systems you build will set the standard for how every future robot is tested
• We offer a fun, fast‑paced, collaborative environment where you will be working on transformational technologies in the cardiac healthcare space that can make a meaningful impact for patients
• We offer outstanding benefits with medical, dental, and vision covered at 100% for you and your family, as well as flex time off
• We thrive in our work‑hard, play‑hard environment. Bring your bike or running shoes if you’d like or just be ready to enjoy a fun office outing. We enjoy time inside the office and out!