Hardware Test Engineer
Pickle Robot
Software Engineering, Other Engineering, Quality Assurance
Cambridge, MA, USA
USD 110k-140k / year
Posted 6+ months ago
About this Role:
Pickle Robot is seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to join our growing Engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and executing test plans to ensure the reliability and performance of our robotic systems deployed across logistics warehouses. You’ll work closely with our Hardware, Software, and Product teams to validate new designs, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvement in product quality. This is an ideal position for someone who loves working hands-on with complex electromechanical systems, enjoys building test rigs and automated test setups, and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
What You’ll Accomplish:
- Test Plan Development: Develop and document comprehensive test plans for mechanical, electrical, and system-level hardware components.
- Test Execution: Perform functional, environmental, and reliability tests on robotic subsystems, sensors, actuators, and control systems.
- Failure Analysis: Investigate test failures, perform root cause analysis, and work with design teams to drive corrective actions.
- Prototype Evaluation: Validate first-article components and prototype builds to ensure they meet design requirements and operational needs. Maintain ownership of follow-up communications, both internally and externally, and log and document your findings and resolution steps.
- Data Collection & Reporting: Record detailed test data, perform analysis, and communicate results to engineering and leadership teams.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance test procedures, improve product robustness, and streamline validation workflows.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work alongside Mechanical, Electrical, and Software teams to develop integrated testing strategies that ensure overall system reliability.
Who You Are:
- 2–5 years of experience in hardware test engineering, electrical test engineering, product validation, or quality assurance for electromechanical or robotics systems.
- Strong electrical engineering foundation, particularly in designing and implementing test circuitry and diagnostic hardware for robotic systems.
- Experience with control systems and actuator interfaces to manage and automate multi-Degree-of-Freedom (multi-DoF) test fixtures.
- Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical systems and their interactions.
- Hands-on experience building test fixtures, performing diagnostics, and using standard lab equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, environmental chambers, etc.).Familiarity with reliability engineering principles (HALT/HASS, environmental stress screening).
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
- Strong communication skills for documenting and presenting findings.
- Highly organized and capable of managing multiple test campaigns simultaneously.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic startup environment where processes are still evolving.
- CAD experience (Onshape, SolidWorks, or similar) for fixture design is a plus.
- Familiarity with basic scripting languages (Python, Bash) for automating test data collection is a plus.
- Willing and able to work from our Charlestown, MA office at least 4 times per week.
Pay at Pickle
At Pickle Robot Company, we believe transparency builds trust. The salary range listed here is provided in accordance with Massachusetts law and reflects what we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role. We often consider candidates at different levels of seniority, and final compensation will reflect the level at which a candidate is hired, along with factors like experience and location.
About Pickle Robot
Want to get in on the ground floor of a fast-growing, VC-backed robotics company? Join Pickle Robot! We build systems that companies and their teams love.
Pickle robots unload trucks. Every day, millions of trucks and containers are loaded and unloaded, often requiring manual labor—tough, dirty, dangerous, and hard to staff. Pickle automates this process using AI, machine learning, and robotics to deliver reliable products. Our Unload Systems work with teams on loading docks to make the job safer, faster, and more efficient.
Pickle provides best-in-class benefits including health, dental, & vision insurance; unlimited vacation, along with all federal and state holidays; 401K contributions of 5% your salary, travel supplies, and other items to make your working life more fun, comfortable, and productive.
110000 - 140000 USD a year