Test Engineer, R&D

Clera Labs, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Clera Labs, Inc. is seeking a test engineer to build and sustain test infrastructure for defense robotics products. You will own testing from design to failure investigation, collaborating across hardware, software, and electrical teams.

The role emphasizes Python automation, hardware-in-the-loop environments, and deployment readiness as products move from prototype to production. On-site in SF, visa sponsorship not available.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and executing end-to-end test procedures.
• Ability to debug firmware and electrical power rails.
• Experience with HIL or SIL testing and export-controlled systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute end-to-end test procedures, including setup, data collection, teardown and reports.
• Wire test electronics and build harnesses, instrumentation setups, and fixtures.
• Develop Python-based automated test procedures and custom tools.
• Debug firmware, power rails, and electrical systems to identify root causes.
• Collaborate with embedded, electrical, and mechanical engineers to reproduce issues and verify fixes.
• Create test plans, acceptance criteria, and readiness gates for production.

Skills

Python scripting

Electrical debugging

HIL/SIL testing

Field testing robotics

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Power supplies

Digital multimeters

Job description

About the Role

Build test infrastructure for defense robotics products, spanning automation, hardware harnesses, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop environments. Working across hardware, software, and electrical teams, you will own testing from design and execution through analysis and failure investigation, helping products advance from prototype to production.

What You'll Do

• Design and execute end-to-end test procedures, including setup, operation, data collection, teardown, analysis, and failure reports.

• Wire test electronics and build harnesses, instrumentation setups, and fixtures.

• Develop Python-based automated test procedures and custom test tools.

• Debug firmware, power rails, and electrical systems to identify root causes.

• Work with embedded, electrical, and mechanical engineers to reproduce issues, validate fixes, and prevent regressions.

• Create test plans, acceptance criteria, and readiness gates as products move toward production.

• Build hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test environments.

• Support design for manufacturability and production readiness with hardware teams.

• Follow safety procedures during high-power and high-voltage testing.

• Conduct regular field tests, with increased testing around sprint demos and milestones.

What We're Looking For

• Strong electrical bench skills with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, digital multimeters, and harness fabrication.

• Proficiency in Python or scripting for test automation, including building practical test tools.

• Demonstrated debugging across firmware and electrical systems, including power rails.

• Experience integrating performance, reliability, and safety testing.

• Background testing real electromechanical products in robotics, defense, aerospace, or a related field.

• Familiarity with design for manufacturability and production testability.

• Clear written communication, especially for failure analysis and root cause findings, and the ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines.

• Experience with HIL or SIL, military or aviation standards, environmental or high-voltage testing, or export-controlled systems is a plus.

• U.S. Person status is required due to access to export-controlled information.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary is $130,000 to $170,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

On-site in San Francisco, California, United States.