Hardware Validation Engineer

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 are looking for an experienced Hardware Validation Engineer to own the in‑house test infrastructure that validates our humanoid robots. This is a foundational, hands‑on role: you will not just run tests; you will build the rigs that run them. You will be the engineer who walks into a conversation with a systems owner, leaves with a clear picture of what needs to be tested and what equipment that requires, then turns around and gets it built — sourcing parts, designing mechanical and electrical components, and commissioning the rigs on the validation floor.

What You’ll Do

• Test Rig & Jig Arrangement (Core Focus)
  • In‑House Validation Rigs: Lead the arrangement of test rigs and jigs for in‑house validation of subsystems and full robots. You decide what gets built, what gets bought, and how they integrate into the validation workflow.
  • Test Rig Development: Design and build custom mechanical jigs and fixtures to stress‑test specific sub‑systems (e.g., repeating arm movements, actuator loading, cable flexing, end‑effector cycling).
  • Commissioning: Bring each rig from a CAD model to a working setup on the floor — wiring, instrumentation, data capture, and first article validation.
• Scope & Requirements Definition
  • Systems Owners Engagement: Work directly with the owners of each robot subsystem (actuators, manipulators, perception, power, etc.) to define what needs to be validated, at what coverage, and with what fidelity.
  • Supportive Test Equipment Specs: Translate validation needs into concrete requirements for supportive equipment — PCB test beds, mechanical fixtures, instrumentation, data loggers — and decide what we build vs. buy.
  • Validation Plans: Convert the resulting scope into validation plans that align with the product release roadmap.
• Procurement & Supplier Coordination
  • Parts Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and order parts and equipment from external suppliers — from standard COTS components to custom fixtures.
  • Vendor Management: Manage relationships with suppliers of test equipment and custom fabricated parts; negotiate lead times that align with our test schedule.
  • Cost & Lead Time: Own the budget and lead‑time picture for the validation infrastructure you build.
• Mechanical & Electrical Rig Design
  • Mechanical Design: Design mechanical components of test rigs in CAD — fixtures, frames, motion stages, mounts — to a quality where they can be fabricated and assembled without rework.
  • Electrical Design: Design the electrical side of the rigs — wiring, power distribution, sensor integration, basic control electronics — including schematics and BOMs.
  • DFX for Test Rigs: Apply manufacturability and reliability principles to your own rigs, so they remain trustworthy for the months or years they will be in service.
• Reliability & Compliance Support
  • Life‑Cycle & Endurance Testing: Support long‑term endurance and life‑cycle tests (HALT/HASS, MTBF) where the rigs you build are the enabling infrastructure.
  • Regulatory Awareness: Understand what each validation activity contributes to certification (EMC, environmental, safety) and design rigs that produce certification‑grade data where required.

Qualifications

Must‑Have:

• Experience: 5+ years in hardware validation, test engineering, or test equipment development, preferably in robotics, automotive, or aerospace.
• Rig Design: Proven hands‑on experience designing and building test rigs and fixtures — from concept through commissioning.
• Mechanical Design: Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, Fusion, NX, or similar) and a working knowledge of mechanical components (linear stages, bearings, motors, actuators) and basic machining/fabrication processes.
• Electrical Design: Comfortable designing the electrical side of a rig — schematics, wiring harnesses, power distribution, sensor integration. You can spec and wire up a DAQ from scratch.
• Cross‑Functional: Track record of working closely with system/component owners to translate validation needs into testable infrastructure.
• Procurement: Experience sourcing parts and equipment from external suppliers, including custom fabrication.

Nice‑to‑Have:

• Data Acquisition: Proficiency with DAQ systems (LabVIEW, National Instruments, Dewesoft) and common sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, load cells, encoders).
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with certification processes (UL, CE, FCC) and standards (IEC 61000 for EMC, IEC 60068 for Environmental).
• Robotics: Prior experience validating robotic systems (manipulators, legged platforms, AMRs).
• Python: For automating data collection and basic test orchestration.
• PCB Test Beds: Hands‑on experience designing or commissioning PCB‑level test fixtures.

The Equipment You Will Build & Manage

• Custom Mechanical Endurance Rigs (arm cyclers, joint loaders, cable flex testers)
• PCB Test Beds and Functional Test Fixtures
• Sensor & Actuator Characterization Stations
• Battery and Power Test Setups
• Data Acquisition and Logging Infrastructure

What We Offer

• Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), 15 days of paid sick leave, and paid 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.
• Equity included–we believe builders should share in what they build.
• 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.