Boston Dynamics

Senior Robotics Test and Control Engineer

Boston Dynamics$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's or PhD in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
  • 5+ years experience in robotics hardware, controls, actuator characterization, and system commissioning.
  • Hands-on experience with motors, actuators, encoders, and hardware instrumentation.
  • Strong troubleshooting skills for ambiguous hardware problems.
  • Expertise in calibration, parameter identification, modeling, and mathematical optimization.
  • Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or C++ for data capture and analysis.
  • Familiarity with mechanical tools, instrumentation, and lab prototyping.

Responsibilities

  • Design and execute test procedures for robotic systems and hardware.
  • Build and maintain fixtures for dynamic and endurance testing.
  • Tune and calibrate sensors and control loops for stability verification.
  • Develop characterization methods to identify system performance parameters.
  • Create automated test systems to validate motor performance and safety limits.
  • Conduct environmental and lifecycle tests on components and subsystems.
  • Analyze test results and drive design feedback with engineering teams.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including fully paid medical and dental from day one.
  • 23 days of annual leave plus 15 days of paid sick leave.
  • Equity participation for all employees.
  • Daily catered lunch and refreshments at the office.
  • Collaboration opportunities with leading engineers and researchers in AI and robotics.
  • Autonomy to influence product development and spearhead key initiatives.
Full Job Description
About the Role

As a Senior Robotics Test and Control Engineer at Humanoid, you will be responsible for bringing new hardware subsystems into a functional, controllable, measurable, and integration-ready state, including calibration, tuning, characterization, and modeling across actuators, hand/gripper mechanisms, and integrated robotic assemblies.

You will work closely with mechanical design, firmware, controls, manufacturing, and system integration teams to diagnose unstable behavior, define the right parameters and models, and accelerate hardware maturity for upstream controller and software development.

What You'll Do
  • Design, plan, and execute test procedures for actuators, mechanisms, grippers, and robotic hands.
  • Build and maintain test fixtures and test rigs for dynamic and endurance testing.
  • Tune and calibrate sensors like encoder and control loops in the driver, including current, velocity, and position control, and verify stability conditions.
  • Develop subsystem characterization methods and identify key parameters such as torque constant profile, friction, inertia, backlash, stiffness, thermal behavior, and efficiency.
  • Design, plan, and execute test procedures for actuators, mechanisms, grippers, and robotic hands.
  • Build and maintain test fixtures and test rigs for dynamic and endurance testing.
  • Develop automated test systems (hardware + software) to validate motor performance, force output, backdrivability, and safety limits.
  • Conduct lifecycle, stress, thermal, and environmental tests on components and subsystems.
  • Analyze test results, create test reports, and drive design feedback loops with engineering teams.
  • Collaborate with design engineers to define testable requirements, tolerances, and performance metrics.
  • Support incoming QC, assembly-level verification, and field failure diagnostics.
  • Maintain test documentation, protocols, and results databases.
  • Work closely with control and firmware teams to evaluate actuator behavior in closed-loop scenarios.


We're Looking For
  • Master's or PhD degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience with robotic hardware, controls, actuator characterization, system commissioning.
  • Hands-on experience with motors, actuators, encoders, force/torque sensors, and hardware instrumentation.
  • Strong troubleshooting ability and comfort working through ambiguous or unstable hardware problems.
  • Experience with calibration, parameter identification, modeling, and mathematical optimization.
  • Proficient with tools such as Python (preferred), MATLAB, or C++ for data capture, analysis, and model fitting using OOP(Object Oriented Programming).
  • Comfortable with mechanical tools, instrumentation, and prototyping in lab environments.
  • Strong understanding of safety testing, failure modes (FMEA), and reliability analysis.
  • Excellent documentation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Familiarity with data acquisition systems (DAQ) and tools such as LabVIEW, Python, or MATLAB.


Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience with strain-wave gear, planetary gear, or custom robotic actuators.
  • Experience with robotic hands, grippers, underactuated mechanisms, or tendon-driven systems.
  • Experience with and complete understanding of commercial BLDC drivers.
  • Familiarity with low-level control development, parameter identification, or dynamic modeling for electromechanical systems.
  • Knowledge of EtherCAT, EtherNET, or related motion control DS402.
  • Experience supporting integrated arm or leg bring-up on larger robotic platforms.


What We Offer
  • Comprehensive extended health benefits starting on your first day, including fully paid medical and dental, virtual care, employee and family assistance, and worldwide emergency medical support.
  • Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), 15 days of paid sick leave, and paid company holidays.
  • Equity included-we believe builders should share in what they build.
  • Free daily catered lunch, snacks, and drinks in-office.
  • Collaboration with top-tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
  • Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.

About Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics is an American engineering and robotics design company founded in 1992 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The company is best known for the development of BigDog, a quadruped robot designed for the U.S. military. Boston Dynamics has also developed a number of other robots, including Spot, a four-legged robot designed for indoor and outdoor operation, and Atlas, a humanoid robot designed for a variety of search and rescue tasks. In 2013, the company was acquired by Google X, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. In 2020, the company was acquired by Hyundai Motor Group. Boston Dynamics is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Learn more about Boston Dynamics
Size
300 employees
Industry
Founded
1992

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