Testing & Robotics Technician

Socket.dev; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Gecko Robotics is seeking a hands-on Testing & Robotics Technician to verify and validate robotic hardware before field deployment. You will run test procedures, log data, and support RCA on hardware failures, shifting into build mode to assemble and configure new prototypes.

This role sits at the intersection of precision, curiosity, and craftsmanship. Work with engineers and field operators for real-time troubleshooting, prioritizing tasks and communicating clearly with team and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Hands-on mechanical assembly experience in shop, lab, manufacturing or equivalent background.
• Comfort operating precision measurement and test equipment (calipers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, force gauges, etc.)
• Strong attention to detail, ownership, and a disciplined approach to data collection and record-keeping.
• Ability to read and follow engineering drawings, test procedures, and work instructions.
• Clear written communication: document observations and communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborative mindset: small team where everyone leans in.
• Self-motivated and eager to tackle the next challenge.

Responsibilities

• Testing: Execute test procedures for mechanical, electrical, and environmental verification of robotic hardware.
• Testing: Set up and operate test equipment including load cells, environmental chambers, oscilloscopes, calipers, and custom test fixtures.
• Testing: Collect, log, and organize test data; document results in test reports and internal tracking systems.
• Testing: Identify anomalies during testing and escalate clearly to the engineering team.
• Testing: Maintain and calibrate test equipment; keep the test lab organized and ready for use.
• RCA: Tear down and inspect failed hardware returned from the field or from testing.
• RCA: Document failure modes with photos, measurements, and written observations.
• RCA: Support T&R engineers in building failure timelines and identifying root causes.
• RCA: Track failures in Gecko's internal systems (FRACAS/GRIT) with accurate, detailed records.
• Build: Assemble robot prototypes from engineering drawings and work instructions.
• Build: Perform mechanical sub-assembly, hardware installation, cable routing, and basic system checkout.
• Build: Flag assembly issues or drawing discrepancies to the engineering team.
• Build: Support bench-level functional verification after assembly.

Skills

Hands-on mechanical assembly

Precision measurement equipment

Data collection and documentation

Reading engineering drawings

Clear written communication

Collaborative mindset

Self-motivated

Job description

What We Do

Gecko Robotics is helping the world’s most important organizations ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of critical infrastructure. Gecko's complete and connected solutions combine wall-climbing robots, industry-leading sensors, and an AI-powered data platform to provide customerswith a unique window into the current and future health of their physical assets. This enables real-time decision making to increase the efficiency and safety of operations, promote mission readiness, and protect the environment and civilization from the effects of infrastructure failure.

Role at a Glance

The Field Infrastructure team verifies and validates Gecko's robotic hardware before it reaches the field and investigates failures when things break in service. We're looking for a hands-on Testing & Robotics Technician to be the execution backbone of that work.

Day-to-day you'll run test procedures, collect and log data, and support root cause analysis (RCA) on hardware failures. Several times a year you'll shift into build mode, helping assemble and configure new robot prototypes over the course of a few weeks before we send them into testing. This role sits at the intersection of precision, curiosity, and craftsmanship. The best candidates love figuring out why something broke as much as they love building it right the first time.

This role falls in the cross-roads of operations and engineering. You will work closely with subject matter experts across many engineering disciplines as well as directly interacting with operators in the field for real time troubleshooting. Your ability to prioritize work and communicate effectively with your team and stakeholders will be a major contributor to success in the team and organization.

What You Will Do

Testing

• Execute test procedures for mechanical, electrical, and environmental verification of robotic hardware

• Set up and operate test equipment including load cells, environmental chambers, oscilloscopes, calipers, and custom test fixtures

• Collect, log, and organize test data; document results in test reports and internal tracking systems

• Identify anomalies during testing and escalate clearly to the engineering team

• Maintain and calibrate test equipment; keep the test lab organized and ready for use

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

• Tear down and inspect failed hardware returned from the field or from testing

• Document failure modes with photos, measurements, and written observations

• Support T&R engineers in building failure timelines and identifying root causes

• Track failures in Gecko's internal systems (FRACAS/GRIT) with accurate, detailed records

Build

• Assemble robot prototypes from engineering drawings and work instructions

• Perform mechanical sub-assembly, hardware installation, cable routing, and basic system checkout

• Flag assembly issues or drawing discrepancies to the engineering team

• Support bench-level functional verification after assembly

Technologies We Use

The field infrastructure team utilizes a variety of hardware and software applications as part of its testing suite, including but not limited to:

• Calipers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, force gauges

• temperature/humidity chambers

• Vibrations tables

• CNC

• Gantries

• 3D printers

• VFL, OTDR and fiber optic test equipment

About You

Required Skills

• Hands-on mechanical assembly experience, whether from a shop, lab, manufacturing, military, or equivalent background

• Comfort operating precision measurement and test equipment (calipers, multimeters, oscilloscopes, force gauges, etc.)

• Strong attention to detail, ownership, and a disciplined approach to data collection and record-keeping

• Ability to read and follow engineering drawings, test procedures, and work instructions

• Clear written communication: you can document what you observed and communicate findings to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Collaborative mindset: this is a small team and everyone leans in

• Self-motivated individual who actively searches for the next challenge to tackle

Preferred Skills

• Experience with environmental or accelerated life testing (temperature/humidity chambers, vibration tables)

• Soldering, cable assembly, or PCB rework experience

• Familiarity with failure analysis techniques or structured problem-solving methods (5-Why, fishbone, etc.)

• Experience in a robotics, defense, aerospace, or similarly rigorous hardware environment

• Scripting or basic programming skills for test data logging or automation

• Experience with project management tooling (Jira, Confluence, Asana or similar)

• CAD or 3D printing experience

• IPC 610/IPC 620, IPC J-STD certified

Who We Are

At Gecko, our people are our greatest investment. In addition to competitive compensation packages, we offer company equity, 401(k) matching, gender-neutral parental leave, full medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health, ongoing professional development, family planning assistance, and flexible paid time off.

Gecko values collaboration, innovation, and partnership, and we believe we do our best work when we're together in person. We’re an office-first culture but understand that sometimes you may need to work from home. Many people are in the office five days a week, others need a bit moreflexibility. Ultimately, we care about the outcomes we achieve - and creating a culture of autonomy and trust that enables that impact.

Gecko is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe it is our collective responsibility to uphold these values and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to protect today’s infrastructure and give form to tomorrow’s. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. If you are passionate about what you do and want to use your talents to support our critical mission, we’d love to hear from you.