Robotics Quality Engineer

Job Description:

Robotics Quality Engineer

Location: Fremont, CA - Onsite

We are seeking a Product Quality & Reliability Engineer, in Fremont, CA to serve as the technical quality lead for Nextpower's robotic and electronic systems. This role owns product-level quality from design through field performance, ensuring seamless integration of hardware, firmware, and electromechanical subsystems. Partnering cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, and suppliers, this individual will embed quality early in the product lifecycle, lead reliability validation and NPI activities, and drive data-driven improvements across PCBA, motion control, sensor, and embedded systems. The ideal candidate combines strong electronics and mechatronics expertise with hands-on validation experience, supplier quality leadership, and a passion for building robust, high-performing products.

Responsibilities:

Product Quality Ownership

• Serve as the technical quality lead for robotic and electronic products—ensuring hardware, firmware, and electromechanical integration meet Nextracker standards.

• Partner with design, test, and manufacturing engineering to embed quality and reliability controls early in the product lifecycle.

• Define, implement, and validate product test and inspection requirements across PCBA, harness, motion control, and sensor subsystems.

• Support new product introduction (NPI) through DFMEA/PFMEA execution, control plan creation, and design verification test (DVT) oversight.

• Validate and qualify test systems and automated inspection tools for functional verification of complex assemblies.

• Drive product-level reliability testing (HALT, HASS, burn-in, and environmental stress screening) and feed results into design improvements.

Supplier & Component Quality

• Evaluate and approve suppliers for electronic and robotic assemblies—PCBs, actuators, control boards, sensors, and embedded systems.

• Audit supplier facilities to confirm process capability, traceability, and quality control for critical components.

• Lead technical reviews on defect trends, early-life failure data, and product field returns (RMA/FA), driving corrective and preventive action.

• Implement statistical process control (SPC) and advanced data analytics (Cp, Cpk, Weibull, X̄-R) to monitor and improve part and system performance.

• Develop, implement, and maintain supplier quality scorecards with metrics that emphasize reliability and system performance consistency.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to validate design for manufacturability, serviceability, and long-term reliability.

• Translate customer and field feedback into actionable product improvement initiatives.

• Support failure investigations through structured root cause methodologies (8D, 5-Why, fault tree analysis) and ensure learnings are applied to future designs.

• Champion the “design for quality” mindset across the product organization—linking field performance data directly to design and supplier improvements.

REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s Degree required (prefer degree in Electrical, Electronics, or Robotics Engineering).

• Experience: 3–7 years in product-level quality or reliability engineering for robotics, embedded electronics, or smart devices.

• Strong working knowledge of PCBA design and testing, motion control systems, sensors, and firmware integration.

• Experience in product validation, DVT/PVT processes, and environmental/reliability qualification testing.

• Skilled in Minitab or similar SPC tools, with the ability to interpret product data and drive measurable improvements.

• Knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or ISO 13485, with hands-on experience in supplier or product audits.

• Proficient in GD&T, AQL inspection, and problem-solving frameworks such as DMAIC or DFSS.

Language:           Fluent in English

Travel:                  Up to 50% domestic travel, international travel may be required

Work Visa:          Authorized to work in United States 

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS 

·         Analytical and innovative problem-solver with strong technical grounding in electronics and mechatronics.

·         Skilled communicator who can engage effectively with design, manufacturing, and supplier teams.

·         Naturally curious, driven to understand how products fail and how to make them more robust.

·         Comfortable in both lab and field environments, balancing data analysis with hands-on validation.

·         Adaptable, pragmatic, and capable of leading cross-functional efforts under tight deadlines.

·         Committed to quality excellence, product reliability, and continuous improvement.

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpower’s benefits please view our company website at www.nextpower.com.  Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is $145,000 - $165,000.

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we’re building the foundation for the world’s next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.