Test Engineer

1X; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous paid time off

401(k) plan with company match

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Job summary

1X, located in San Carlos, California, is looking for a Robotics Test Engineer to develop systems that ensure the reliability of their flagship product, NEO. The successful candidate will design and maintain automated test frameworks and develop validation environments that accurately reenact real-world conditions.

The role requires strong programming skills in Python or C++, as well as hands-on engineering experience. 1X offers a comprehensive benefits package and a dynamic work environment aimed at innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in test engineering or related field.
• Strong programming proficiency in Python and C++.
• Hands-on experience using laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Develop systems to validate the robot.
• Create automated test frameworks improving validation coverage.
• Build scalable validation environments representing real-world conditions.

Skills

Systems thinking

Debugging and root-cause analysis

Software development

Hands-on engineering

Communication skills

Education

Experience in test engineering, systems integration, or robotics

Tools

Python

C++

Embedded systems

Laboratory equipment

Version control systems (Git)

Job description

About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.

To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.

NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.

If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.

About the Team

The Robotics Test team is responsible for ensuring NEO performs safely, reliably, and consistently across every stage of development. We build the validation infrastructure, automation frameworks, and test methodologies that allow engineering teams to move quickly while maintaining confidence in system performance.

Operating across hardware, firmware, software, and systems engineering, this team plays a critical role in identifying issues early, validating product requirements, and helping transform cutting‑edge robotics technology into dependable products that operate in the real world.

Your Charter

Build the systems that validate the robot.

You will develop the infrastructure, automation, and processes that ensure NEO performs reliably across a wide range of operating conditions. Working at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and software, you will create test systems that uncover issues early, provide actionable data, and accelerate development across the robotics stack.

As a Robotics Test Engineer, your work will directly influence product quality, reliability, and readiness by turning complex system behavior into measurable engineering outcomes.

Key Outcomes

• Develop and maintain automated test frameworks that improve validation coverage and reduce manual testing effort across hardware, firmware, and software systems
• Build scalable hardware-in-the-loop and system-level validation environments that accurately represent real‑world operating conditions
• Identify, reproduce, and help resolve complex multidisciplinary failures before they impact product milestones or deployments
• Maintain traceability between product requirements, test execution, and validation results across development programs
• Generate high-quality performance, reliability, and characterization data that informs engineering decisions and product readiness

Key Competencies

• Strong systems‑thinking mindset with the ability to understand interactions across hardware, firmware, software, and robotics subsystems
• Excellent debugging and root‑cause analysis skills grounded in data and experimentation
• Strong software development capabilities for building automated testing tools and infrastructure
• Hands‑on engineering approach with comfort working directly on hardware, instrumentation, and robotic systems
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly present technical findings to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

Minimum Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in test engineering, systems integration, robotics, or a related engineering discipline
• Strong programming proficiency in Python, C++, or both
• Experience working with embedded systems, microcontrollers, and communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, I2C, or UART
• Hands‑on experience using laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and power supplies
• Experience using version control systems such as Git in collaborative engineering environments

Preferred Skills

• Experience developing and maintaining automated test frameworks and validation infrastructure
• Experience with Linux-based development environments and real‑time operating systems
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop testing, robotic systems validation, or electromechanical product testing
• Experience designing test fixtures using CAD tools
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and project management tools

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like?

Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

Successful Robotics Test Engineers at 1X are relentless about understanding how systems behave in the real world. They combine strong technical depth with curiosity, move comfortably between software and hardware, and see every failure as an opportunity to improve the product. They care deeply about evidence, repeatability, and building tools that help the entire organization move faster.

Compensation Range

$120,000 - $180,000 + Equity

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
• 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
• Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
• Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
• Onsite snacks and catered lunches

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.