Role: Robotics Hardware Technician IV
Job Summary:
The Senior / Lead Robotics Hardware Technician / Support Engineer is a leadership role responsible for defining the system-level hardware architecture for major product lines. This position drives the technical direction of hardware projects from concept to production, mentors the hardware team, and establishes organization-wide standards for reliability and validation.
Ideal Candidates: The ideal candidate should be comfortable with travel 10% of the time and have prior experience with hand tools and basic power tools.
Responsibilities:
- Define and own hardware architecture for complete robots or major product lines (actuators, sensors, power, safety, interfaces).
- Make key trade-off decisions among performance, cost, and reliability to meet business objectives.
- Lead multi-phase hardware projects from concept to production, owning the entire project lifecycle.
- Set technical direction, schedules, and milestones while coordinating across mechanical, electrical, controls, and manufacturing teams.
- Align daily technician tasks with critical project milestones to ensure effective resource utilization.
- Inspire respect and motivation within the team by ensuring all members are aligned on high-level goals.
- Champion Agile methodologies and utilize software relevant tools to streamline lab and engineering operations.
- Lead the implementation of robust QA/QC and issue-tracking processes.
- Define and oversee advanced analyses, including FEA (Finite Element Analysis), tolerance stackups, and reliability modeling.
- Establish system-level validation plans, including worst-case operating scenarios and regression tests.
- Create hardware standards, libraries, and best practices to guide the work of Tech I-III staff.
- Sponsor exploratory efforts to evaluate and integrate new hardware technologies.
- Mentor and coach staff, performing rigorous design reviews to ensure technical excellence and safety.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, respect, safety and ownership within the engineering pool.
- Maintain proactive communication with stakeholders to prevent silos and ensure alignment.
- Demonstrate proficiency in technical communication by writing comprehensive SOPs and maintaining accurate project documentation.
- Actively support and integrate into the company culture by consistently upholding its core values, purpose, and mission
- Exhibits behaviors that reflect a commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and high performance to achieve client and company goals
- Participates in on-site meetings and training as needed
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering preferred
- 3+ years of experience in robotics hardware design, systems architecture, or a related high-tech field
- Ability to travel 10% of the time between Seattle and Spokane. (Please do not use this as a dis-qualifier. If you believe you have the right skillsets, we do have other opportunities and positions we would love to talk to you about.)
- Proven experience serving in previous leadership capacities
- Expert-level knowledge of robotic systems architecture and full-lifecycle product development
- Proficiency in FEA and reliability analysis
- Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage complex workflows
- Proficiency in using Solidworks (CAD) software for design and analysis
- Advanced ability to read and interpret technical and electrical schematics
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills with the ability to justify technical decisions to stakeholders
- Strategic thinking skills for developing and maintaining long-term product roadmaps
- Ability to work independently as well as lead and contribute to a cohesive team environment
- Ability to follow instructions from an engineer or supervisor precisely and consistently
- Possess a friendly and collaborative demeanor to work effectively as part of a team
- Possess strong initiative, reliability, and common sense
- Demonstrated work ethic and a history of reliable attendance
- Ability to work flexible schedules and shifts to meet company demands and client deadlines
- Ability to stand or remain on your feet for long periods of time
- Ability to remain mobile throughout labs and various workspaces
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted and without accommodation
- Authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship
- Ability to successfully pass a comprehensive background check
Benefits:
- Employer pays 60% premiums of Health/ Dental/ Vision Insurance for employee and dependents
- Access to supplemental plans such as GAP, Disability, Accident, Whole Life, Identity Protection & more
- Paid leave and paid holidays
- 401(k) matching (up to 4%)
- Educational Reimbursement
- Supportive environment & company hosted events
