What we needSymbotic is seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to lead electrical design for complex subsystems and the cross-discipline interfaces on automated material-handling robots and related platforms. In this role you will direct how established design principles are applied, guide development of new practices and ideas, and take designs from concept through production with accountability for program-level technical outcomes.
You will be a recognized resource on the team and may lead more complex design efforts. You will work through Symbotic's Product Development Process (PDP) with guidance only in the most complex situations, and you will partner with mechanical, firmware, safety, PLM, and contract manufacturers so designs can be built, qualified, and released.
What we do The Electrical Engineering - Bot Hardware team is part of Symbotic's Hardware Engineering organization and develops the electrical hardware that powers and connects our robotic systems. Our team designs PCB-based electronics, harnesses, and electrical interfaces that support power distribution, sensing, compute, communications, and control across our automation platforms. We partner closely with mechanical, firmware, test, manufacturing, and other engineering teams to integrate these designs into reliable, manufacturable robotic products and support them from development through production.
What you'll do - Lead solutions to complex electrical problems with many variables, at board, harness, and subsystem-integration level (power, sensing, compute, interconnect, grounding, and interfaces to mechanical, firmware, and controls), and guide other designers on the approach.
- Drive designs from concept through production for the programs you own: architecture of the subsystem, schematic, PCB layout, prototype, DVT, design freeze, production release, and sustaining.
- Follow the PDP and lead others through it on the efforts you own - phase gates, design reviews, requirements, verification, and release - so the work ships on a repeatable path.
- Design schematics and PCB layouts in Altium, and review the layouts of other designers. Own stackup, placement, routing, SI/PI, EMC-aware layout, and DFM through release.
- Apply DfX (DFM, DFA, DFT, DFS, and related) and raise the same expectation on designs you review, so hardware is manufacturable, testable, serviceable, and cost-capable at the contract manufacturer.
- Work in PLM (BOMs, ECOs/ECNs, item and document release) and with contract manufacturers to enable builds, first article, and production for the programs you support.
- Write requirements and test plans; plan and execute the testing needed to validate safety, function, and robustness, including EMC/EMI bring-up and mitigation.
- Investigate issues and failures in the lab and at customer or manufacturing sites; lead containment and corrective design for the programs you own.
- Research and qualify electro-mechanical components (connectors, sensors, power devices, compute modules) for robotics, automation, and automotive-class environments, and direct how approved design principles are applied.
- Serve as a recognized resource for the team. Lead more complex projects, advise partners outside electrical engineering on difficult technical matters, and raise the bar on reviews and documentation.
- Travel to customer sites, contract manufacturers, and test houses to support bring-up, installation, and failure analysis as required.
What you'll need - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline; advanced degree a plus.
- 8+ years of electrical design experience, with a record of taking products from concept to production.
- Expertise in Altium schematic capture and strong PCB layout design (or equivalent high-end ECAD with a demonstrated willingness to work in Altium).
- Strong experience in automation robotics and/or automotive platforms - mobile robots, AGVs/AMRs, or automotive electronic systems in harsh electrical and mechanical environments.
- Demonstrated integration across electronics and the disciplines it touches (mechanical, firmware, and controls): interconnect, grounding, power distribution, sensors, and partner-subsystem interfaces.
- Working knowledge of safety standards applied to automation and robotic platforms (ability to work with Functional Safety and interpret product safety requirements; prior SIL / ISO 13849 / IEC 61508 or equivalent experience a plus).
- Working knowledge of EMC/EMI and best design practices (grounding, filtering, shielding, return paths, cable and enclosure effects) and ability to debug to a passing result.
- Strong DfX practice and a track record of designs that contract manufacturers can build and test at volume.
- Works independently in a formal PDP / phase-gate process, with guidance only in the most complex situations, and can lead others through it.
- Familiar with PLM and with working through contract manufacturers to enable production (BOMs, ECOs, first article, process feedback).
- Communicates difficult concepts to people outside the electrical discipline, builds consensus, and advises on complex matters that affect the wider program.
- Ability to work in a results-oriented, project-driven team, prioritize across the programs you own, and deliver tactical results that the department depends on.
Physical and Environment Requirements - Wilmington, MA preferred (lab and cross-functional presence). Travel to customer sites, CMs, and test facilities as required.
- Lab and occasional warehouse / site work around automated equipment.
The base range for this position in the posted location is $125,000.00 - $171,600.00 however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, 401K, PTO and/or other benefits.
