Amazon

Technical Lab Manager - Robotics R&D, Frontier AI & Robotics

Amazon$150K — $300K *
Technical Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of hands-on experience with robotic systems integration.
  • 3+ years of experience leading and mentoring technical teams in lab environments.
  • Proficiency in hardware troubleshooting and root cause analysis using diagnostic tools.
  • Deep understanding of electromechanical systems and sensor integration.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a technician team for robotic prototype hardware support.
  • Assemble and integrate robotic hardware components, guiding assembly processes and test protocols.
  • Validate hardware revisions and verify assembly functionalities during trials.
  • Troubleshoot and root-cause issues across robotic platforms with the team.
  • Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for lab processes.
  • Oversee mechanical design outputs and quality of technical tasks performed by technicians.
  • Manage prototyping lab operations, ensuring equipment safety and regulatory compliance.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical coverage
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Employee stock options
  • Flexible working hours
  • Professional development opportunities
Full Job Description
Join our Frontier AI & Robotics team to lead the hardware integration of next-generation robotic systems that will transform how robots perceive and interact with the world. You'll take ownership of critical hardware components, from advanced actuators to precision sensors, ensuring they work seamlessly together to support breakthrough AI research and real-world deployment.

Key job responsibilities

- Prototype Lab Leadership - Lead & develop a cross-functional technician team supporting robotic prototype hardware; own daily priorities, team KPIs, and risk communication to FAR leadership. Serve as the technical escalation point for the lab.

- Assembly, Integration & DFx ownership - Assemble & integrate robotic hardware (actuators, sensors, vision, machined components). Build assembly processes and test protocols with hardware engineering. Drive DFM/DFA feedback and own simple mechanical/electrical design tasks, lead integration/debug, and partner with engineers to optimize manufacturability and testability.

- Own R&D prototype test & validation - Validate hardware revisions, verify mechanical assemblies, power sequencing, comms interfaces, and peripherals during bring-up.

- Build a strong debugging & failure analysis function - Troubleshoot & root-cause across the full robot platform (power, compute, comms, actuators, sensors); hands-on for complex issues, directing the team on routine ones. Conduct failure analysis from component to system level using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters; train technicians on diagnostic techniques. Reproduce critical failures, interpret schematics, and bridge communication between the lab and engineering teams.

- Own lab technical documentation - Own documentation & quality - author runbooks, FA reports, assembly guides and troubleshooting guides; mentor the team to maintain consistent standards.

- Own mechanical design for the lab - Own mechanical design technician output. Oversee technicians performing simple R&D design tasks and test fixture design, ensuring quality and alignment with engineering priorities.

- Manage prototyping lab operations - oversee machine shop capabilities and quality, equipment/inventory, vendor coordination, and safety/regulatory compliance.

- Build additional lab capabilities - develop test methodologies, design jigs/fixtures, implement HIL testing, and streamline failure-to-resolution workflows.

A day in the life

Your focus centers on the hardware that powers our advanced robotic platforms. You'll lead a strong robotics technician and lab engineering team to support high degrees of freedom (DoF) robotic hardware prototype assembly and validation. Your team will be responsible for building, debugging and validating prototype hardware, critical component and assembly quality assessments, providing DFM/DFA feedback to engineers and designing test jigs and test set-ups. You'll manage responsibilities like quality inspections of incoming parts, one-on-ones with technicians, and coordinating machine shop operations. Throughout the day, you balance leading your team through complex assemblies and integration testing while also handling urgent prototyping requests, documentation updates, and planning for upcoming milestones. You're switching between working at the bench alongside your technicians, collaborating in design reviews with engineers, and ensuring lab safety and equipment maintenance.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field

- 7+ years of hands-on experience with robotic systems integration, including actuators, sensors (force/torque, IMUs, encoders), and embedded systems

- 3+ years of experience leading and mentoring technical teams in laboratory or prototype development environments

- Proficiency with hardware troubleshooting and root cause analysis using diagnostic equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, signal analyzers)

- Deep understanding of electromechanical systems including power distribution, communication buses (CAN, EtherCAT, RS-485), and sensor integration

- Proven track record developing assembly procedures, test protocols, and technical documentation for prototype hardware

- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and system architecture diagrams

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- 10+ years of experience in robotics hardware development, hardware integration, or related work within advanced robotic systems, research institutions, or high-performance engineering environments

- Extensive experience designing, integrating, and troubleshooting high degree of freedom robotic systems, including actuators, force/torque sensors, inertial measurement units, encoders, vision systems, and associated control hardware

- Operational experience with robotic control systems, including performance monitoring, hardware health diagnostics, and data-driven analysis of robotic system behavior during testing and deployment

- Hands-on experience in robotics labs, hardware test facilities, or hardware integration environments, including familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop testing methodologies and robotic system acceptance test procedures

- Proven track record fostering a culture of innovation, quality, and continuous improvement within technical teams

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $150,000/year in our lowest geographic market up to $300,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors, including market location, and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutamazon.com/workplace/employee-benefits. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.

About Amazon

Audible is a provider of spoken audio information and entertainment , on the Internet. They provide premium spoken audio content, such as audio versions of books and newspapers and radio programs, that is delivered over the Internet and played back on personal computers and hand-held electronic devices. The Audible service allows consumers to purchase and download their content from their Website, store it in digital files and play it back on personal computers and electronic devices. More than 15,000 hours of audio content are available on their Web site, including audio versions of books, periodicals and radio programs. Several manufacturers have agreed to support and promote the playback of their content on their hand-held audio-enabled electronic devices.

Amazon Careers

Joining Amazon presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a vibrant team pushing the boundaries of innovation and growth in the global marketplace. As a leader in e-commerce, technology, and logistics, Amazon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At Amazon, every day is an opportunity to collaborate with the brightest minds in technology and business to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re interested in software development, marketing, human resources, or customer service, Amazon has a position waiting for you. Transform the way the world shops and innovates with our diverse and inclusive team. Amazon is not just a company; it’s a community where you can drive real change and contribute to projects impacting millions globally. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Amazon is the perfect place to enhance your leadership and innovation skills. Our culture encourages pushing the envelope and imagining the unimaginable. Here, you will lead projects that challenge the status quo and define new industry standards. Work with a team that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment. Our leadership is focused on harnessing the collective power of unique perspectives to foster growth and innovation. Explore Amazon’s Employment Benefits Amazon’s commitment to its employees extends beyond just career growth. We offer competitive benefits, including health care, parental leave, and diversity training, ensuring that our team not only excels professionally but also enjoys well-being and security. Internship and Networking Opportunities Start your career with an Amazon internship and gain hands-on experience that matters. Our internships provide a gateway to full-time employment and an opportunity to network with professionals across various sectors of the company. Future-Proof Your Career With Amazon, your career path is filled with numerous opportunities for advancement. Our learning and development programs are designed to nurture your professional growth and keep you at the forefront of industry trends. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities at Amazon that match your skills and interests. We are constantly on the lookout for passionate, curious, and innovative team players ready to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Amazon. Amazon is more than just a company—it’s a platform for building a promising future. Whether you’re starting or looking to advance your career, Amazon offers the resources, support, and network you need to succeed. Join us, and be a part of our continuing mission to be Earth's most customer-centric company.
Learn more about Amazon
Size
1,608 employees
Market Cap
$832.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$21.3 billion
Founded
1994
5 Year Trend
+28.1%
Revenue
$386 billion
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