Head of Systems Engineering, Integration & Test (SEIT) in London

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.

About the Role

We're hiring a Head of Systems Engineering, Integration & Test (SEIT) to join our Systems Engineering, Integration and Test team based in London. In this role you will own end-to-end execution of the engineering V-Model—turning customer needs into clear, testable requirements and proving (with evidence) that the integrated robot meets them at scale. SEIT’s mission is to connect technology development to customer needs using readiness reviews and stage gates, ensuring design progress remains aligned with requirements, and that integration and test validates the product meets those requirements.

What You'll Do

• Systems Engineering oversight (left side of the V): Lead the creation and governance of system and solution architectures, requirements, and interfaces—ensuring engineering teams can execute effectively. Build and maintain a requirements system that is accessible by all stakeholders, traceable, testable, and aligned across mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, AI, manufacturing, and operations. Drive functional decomposition, subsystem allocations, interface control, and change control so requirements remain stable enough for delivery while incorporating learnings from testing and field deployments. Lead architecture trade-offs and risk retirement using structured decision-making and trade studies.
• Integration & Test oversight (right side of the V): Own the system verification and validation strategy: test philosophy, coverage, pass/fail criteria, and evidence for readiness at component, subsystem, and full-system levels. Drive integration planning and execution across disciplines, including lab bring-up, regression testing, performance validation, and failure-mode discovery and closure loops. Ensure the organization has the test infrastructure needed to move fast (automation, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop where appropriate), enabling a continuous-integration mindset across hardware and software.
• System architecture—from low-level to customer solutions: Partner with functional leads to architect robust, scalable systems that satisfy product requirements and can evolve from Alpha to Beta to pilot to production. Create and maintain system documentation: block diagrams, system models, interface specifications, FMEAs, and technical roadmaps for leadership decision-making. Own system-level performance bottlenecks and DFx scalability constraints (cost, reliability, manufacturability, serviceability).
• Program-level readiness and risk management: Establish stage gates, readiness reviews, and quality bars that align engineering output to customer and pilot needs. Identify and mitigate technical risks across the development lifecycle, ensuring issues are retired with test evidence.
• Leadership and cross-functional operating model: Build and lead a high-trust, high-ownership SEIT culture aligned to company values (e.g., respect, ownership mindset, delivering results). Operate as the system-level glue across hardware, software, AI, product, operations, and customer engagements—making clear, reasoned calls when trade-offs are required.

What Success Looks Like:

• A single, living source of truth for requirements and interfaces, with traceability to verification evidence.
• A fast, reliable integration cadence supported by the right tooling, automation, and a system architecture that enables continuous integration.
• Time from “all subsystems ready” to “integrated system passes” in days, not weeks.
• Clear readiness decisions for Beta milestones grounded in test data and risk burn-down.
• A scalable validation strategy that can evolve into end-of-line and production acceptance testing.
• SEI&T supports functional leads with system-level analysis and trade-offs so local choices don’t compromise the overall system.
• SEIT is measured on how much it accelerates engineering. A mature and successful SEIT function at Humanoid is embedded in the engineering culture–teams engage it by choice because it helps them move faster and avoid rework.

What We're Looking For

• 15+ years leading systems engineering, system architecture, and/or verification and validation for complex electro-mechanical products through to mass production (robotics, autonomous systems, automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, or similar).
• Demonstrated mastery of system-level requirements, decomposition, documentation, and cross-team alignment.
• Proven experience guiding cross-functional integration (ME/EE/FW/SW/AI) and validating performance and reliability with strong test discipline.
• Ability to present architectural directions, trade-offs, and roadmaps to executives and stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience designing and scaling safety-critical or mission-critical systems and working within compliance/safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508).
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital twins, simulation-driven development, and modern validation pipelines for robotics.

What We Offer

• Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), separate sick leave, and paid bank holidays and company holidays.
• Fully funded private healthcare for UK employees, with broad provider access, virtual and in‑person care, and strong mental health and serious illness support.
• Pension scheme with a total 8% contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
• Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in‑office.
• Collaboration with top‑tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
• Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.