Staff Mechanical Test Engineer

Apera; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Apera is recruiting a Staff Mechanical Test Engineer for the Bay Area, CA. This role will own end-to-end validation of mechanical and electromechanical systems, from prototype through production, and provide technical leadership to the test team.

You will design test rigs and instrumentation, develop test plans and acceptance criteria, and automate testing in Python. You will compare lab results with field data and drive root-cause actions with cross-functional teams to improve reliability and

Qualifications

• Proven experience validating mechanical or electromechanical hardware through development, production, and field deployment.
• Hands-on expertise in test rig design, instrumentation, and automated testing.
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, including CAD, tolerance analysis, fatigue, wear, and FEA.
• Proficiency in Python or equivalent tools for test automation and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end validation of mechanical and electromechanical systems from prototype to fleet deployment.
• Develop test plans and acceptance criteria based on product requirements, safety risks, and real-world operating conditions.
• Design, build, and maintain test rigs, fixtures, instrumentation, and automated test systems.
• Execute tests covering structural performance, durability, wear, environmental conditions, misuse, and reliability.
• Automate test execution and data analysis using Python or equivalent tools.
• Lead failure investigations, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions with cross-functional teams.
• Correlate laboratory results with field data to improve test methods and product reliability.
• Communicate test results, risks, and release recommendations while improving test efficiency and mentoring others.

Skills

Mechanical testing

Test automation

Python

CAD

FEA

Data analysis

Tools

Instrumentation

Job description

Staff Mechanical Test Engineer - Bay Area, CA

Apera are recruiting on behalf of a highly advanced robotics company based in the Bay Area, CA

We are looking for a Staff Mechanical Test Engineer to join a cutting-edge company looking to make a direct impact on people everywhere around the world.

As a Staff Mechanical Test Engineer, you will be responsible for the entire life cycle of the product, and for the creation of various important testing systems as well as acting as a technical lead for other test engineers on the team.

The ideal candidate will come from a fast paced tech background in either the aerospace, automotive, robotics, autonomy, industrial equipment or automated logistics sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end to end validation of mechanical and electromechanical systems from prototype through production and fleet deployment.
• Develop test plans and acceptance criteria based on product requirements, safety risks, and real-world operating conditions.
• Design, build, and maintain test rigs, fixtures, instrumentation, and automated test systems.
• Execute tests covering structural performance, durability, wear, environmental conditions, misuse, and reliability.
• Automate test execution and data analysis using Python or equivalent tools.
• Lead failure investigations, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions with cross-functional teams.
• Correlate laboratory results with field data to improve test methods and product reliability.
• Communicate test results, risks, and release recommendations while improving test efficiency and mentoring others.

Requirements

• Proven experience validating mechanical or electromechanical hardware through development, production, and field deployment.
• Hands-on expertise in test rig design, instrumentation, and automated testing.
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, including CAD, tolerance analysis, fatigue, wear, and FEA.
• Proficiency in Python or equivalent tools for test automation and data analysis

Desired Experience

• Experience with sensors, data-acquisition systems, and mechanisms incorporating actuators, electronics, and embedded controls.
• Knowledge of experimental design, accelerated testing, measurement uncertainty, and statistical reliability methods.
• A track record of investigating complex failures and implementing effective corrective actions.