Sr. Systems Engineer (Sensors - Humanoid Robotics)

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG; Troy, Northern (MI, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life insurance and 401k with company 6

Regular employee appreciation and team

Job summary

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG is seeking a Senior Sensor Engineer in Troy, MI to lead sensing development for high‑performance humanoid actuators. You will own sensor concepts, from selection to validation, and manage external suppliers to ensure production readiness.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in precision sensing, strong physics knowledge, and experience with robotic motion systems. This role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration and rigorous testing in demanding environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in precision sensing technologies, with significant exposure to position, force, and/or torque measurement in mechatronic or robotic systems.
• Experience developing or qualifying sensors for high-performance motion systems (robotics, aerospace, industrial automation, or medical devices).
• Strong understanding of sensor physics and signal conditioning for magnetic, optical, capacitive, and strain-based sensing modalities.
• Experience working with external suppliers on custom or semi-custom sensor development, including technical negotiations, design reviews, and production readiness.
• Familiarity with actuator architectures and integration of sensors with control systems.

Responsibilities

• Drive the technical roadmap for position, force, and torque sensing technologies used in joint actuators (including rotary and linear configurations).
• Lead internal development of sensing solutions from concept through validation and production readiness.
• Manage external supplier selection, technical evaluation, development partnerships, and performance qualification for sensors.
• Define sensor requirements (accuracy, resolution, bandwidth, noise, thermal stability, EMI immunity, size, power, and interface).
• Oversee characterization, calibration methods, and compensation algorithms for sensors under real operating conditions.
• Evaluate and mitigate sensing-related risks including drift, hysteresis, crosstalk, and long-term reliability.
• Support integration of sensor data into actuator control loops (FOC, impedance/admittance control, torque control, state estimation).
• Conduct technical reviews of supplier designs, processes, and quality systems; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Generate and maintain technical specifications, test plans, validation reports, and design documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and serve as the primary technical authority on sensing for humanoid actuator programs.

Skills

Sensor development

External supplier engagement

Mechatronics

Robotics

Calibration

Environmental testing

Education

Bachelors/Masters in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics

Tools

None

Job description

Location: Troy, MI, US, 48083

Schaeffler is a dynamic global technology company and its success has been a result of its entrepreneurial spirit and long history of private ownership. As a partner to all of the major automobile manufacturers, as well as key players in the aerospace and industrial sectors, we offer you many development opportunities.

Your Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a Senior Sensor Engineer to lead the development, selection, qualification, and continuous improvement of position, force, and torque sensing solutions for high-performance humanoid robot actuators. This role owns both internal sensor technology development and external supplier engagement, ensuring sensing systems meet the demanding requirements of precision motion control, high reliability, low latency, and compact packaging in multi-degree-of-freedom humanoid platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the technical roadmap for position, force, and torque sensing technologies used in joint actuators (including rotary and linear configurations).
• Lead internal development of sensing solutions (magnetic, inductive, capacitive, strain-gauge/thin-film, and hybrid approaches) from concept through validation and production readiness.
• Manage external supplier selection, technical evaluation, development partnerships, and performance qualification for commercial and custom sensors.
• Define sensor requirements (accuracy, resolution, bandwidth, noise, thermal stability, EMI immunity, size, power, and interface) in close collaboration with actuator, control, and systems engineering teams.
• Oversee characterization, calibration methods, and compensation algorithms for position, force, and torque sensors under real actuator operating conditions (temperature, vibration, dynamic loading, and electromagnetic environments).
• Evaluate and mitigate sensing-related risks including drift, hysteresis, crosstalk, saturation, and long-term reliability.
• Support integration of sensor data into actuator control loops (FOC, impedance/admittance control, torque control, and state estimation).
• Conduct technical reviews of supplier designs, processes, and quality systems; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Generate and maintain technical specifications, test plans, validation reports, and design documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and serve as the primary technical authority on sensing for humanoid actuator programs.

Your Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in precision sensing technologies, with significant exposure to position, force, and/or torque measurement in mechatronic or robotic systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing or qualifying sensors for high-performance motion systems (robotics, aerospace, industrial automation, or medical devices).
• Strong understanding of sensor physics and signal conditioning for magnetic, optical, capacitive, and strain-based sensing modalities.
• Experience working with external suppliers on custom or semi-custom sensor development, including technical negotiations, design reviews, and production readiness.
• Familiarity with actuator architectures (motors, harmonic/strain-wave or planetary gearing, and integrated electronics).
• Hands-on experience with sensor characterization, calibration, and environmental testing.
• Excellent technical communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional and supplier teams.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with sensing in humanoid or collaborative robots, or other high-DOF systems with tight packaging constraints.
• Knowledge of torque and force sensing techniques suitable for series-elastic or quasi-direct-drive actuators.
• Familiarity with real-time control interfaces, sensor fusion, and estimation techniques (e.g., observers, Kalman filtering) used in advanced motion control.
• Experience with functional safety, reliability analysis (FMEDA, DFMEA), or automotive/aerospace quality standards.
• Prior work involving EMI/EMC considerations for sensors collocated with high-power motor drives.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and 401k eligible with up to 6% company match
• Regular employee appreciation and company events

As a global company with employees around the world, it is important to us that we treat each other with respect and value all ideas and perspectives. By appreciating our differences, we inspire creativity and drive innovation. In this way, we contribute to sustainable value creation for our stakeholders and society as a whole. Together, we advance how the world moves.

Exciting assignments and outstanding development opportunities await you because we impact the future with innovation. We look forward to your application.

Schaeffler is an equal employment opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive equal employment opportunities and consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.