Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a Senior Staff Test Engineer - Reliability to own how we define, test, and prove the reliability of our complex electromechanical systems. You will set reliability targets and break top-level MTBF down into subsystem and component requirements. You will also determine the test quantity, duration, and confidence needed to demonstrate those targets, and focus testing where the risk is highest.
This is a technical leadership role. You will direct and advise a team of engineers on their test plans, method, and rigor, lead root-cause investigations across mechanical, electrical, and firmware domains, and run a closed-loop failure reporting process that feeds test, manufacturing, and field data back into design. You will work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams, and communicate reliability risks, test investment tradeoffs, and progress toward MTBF targets to engineering and program leadership.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Reliability Strategy & Allocation: Define reliability targets and roadmap for the product, break top-level MTBF down into subsystem and component targets, and influence design through design reviews, derating guidance, and component and supplier qualification.
- Test Planning & Leadership: Lead a team of engineers on reliability testing, advising on method and rigor, and determine the sample size, test duration, and confidence level needed to demonstrate top-level MTBF, targeting testing at the highest-risk components and subsystems (life, stress, HALT/HASS, thermal, environmental).
- Failure Analysis & Root Cause: Lead root-cause investigations of failures from test, manufacturing, and the field, coach engineers through the analysis, and run a closed-loop failure reporting system (FRACAS) that feeds field and returns data back into design.
- Reliability Modeling & Data: Guide the team in building life and failure-rate models (Weibull, FMEA inputs, fault trees, reliability block diagrams), roll component test results up to system-level MTBF estimates with confidence bounds, and track reliability growth over time against the MTBF target.
- Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Mentor and grow engineers, partner with design, manufacturing, and quality teams, and present reliability risks, test investment tradeoffs, and progress toward MTBF targets to leadership.
SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Experience leading reliability programs for complex electromechanical products, including allocating top-level MTBF to subsystem and component targets and planning the sample size, test duration, and confidence level needed to demonstrate it.
- Hands-on experience designing and running reliability testing (life, accelerated, HALT/HASS, thermal, environmental) and interpreting results with statistical methods such as Weibull analysis and reliability growth models.
- Demonstrated ability to lead root-cause investigations across mechanical, electrical, and firmware domains and drive corrective actions to closure, including running a failure reporting system (FRACAS).
- Experience technically leading and mentoring other engineers, including directing their test plans and advising on method and rigor, and communicating reliability risks and tradeoffs to leadership.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- BS in Engineering or a related field + 15 years of relevant experience, OR MS + 13 years, OR PhD + 12 years.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
- Hearing and speech to communicate
*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Skills Required
- Experience leading reliability programs for complex electromechanical products, including MTBF allocation and reliability demonstration planning
- Hands-on experience designing and running life, accelerated, HALT/HASS, thermal, and environmental reliability testing
- Experience interpreting reliability test results using Weibull analysis and reliability growth models
- Ability to lead root-cause investigations across mechanical, electrical, and firmware domains and drive corrective actions to closure
- Experience running a failure reporting system such as FRACAS
- Experience technically leading and mentoring engineers, including directing test plans and advising on test methods and rigor
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field plus 15 years of relevant experience
- Master's degree in Engineering or related field plus 13 years of relevant experience
- PhD in Engineering or related field plus 12 years of relevant experience
What We Do
Apptronik is building robots for the real world to improve human quality of life and to help solve the ever-increasing labor shortage problem. Our team has been building some of the most advanced robots on the planet for years, dating back to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. We apply our expertise across the full robotics stack to some of the most important and impactful problems our society faces, and expect our products and technology to change the world for the better. We value passion, creativity, and collaboration to help us overcome existing technological barriers in the industry to create truly innovative products.
Why Work With Us
At Apptronik, we don't see a future where man competes against machine. Instead, we envision a harmonious world where man and machine coexist. Our mission statement, "It is not Man vs. Machine, but Man + Machine," encapsulates our belief that the synergy between humans and robots will pave the way for a brighter, more advanced future.
Gallery
Apptronik Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
