Who we are:
Hellbender Inc. is a Pennsylvania Benefit Corporation who partners with innovators to mature their Artificial Intelligence enabled computing sensors and produce their solutions onshore at prototype to high volumes.
Hellbender is intentionally forming an inclusive work environment and is committed to uplifting the historically marginalized identities including veterans, women, trans and underrepresented races in our community and industry.
MUST BE A U.S. PERSONJob Summary:
As a Test Engineer at Hellbender, you will develop, execute, and improve test strategies for electromechanical, robotic, camera-based, and similarly complex hardware systems from prototype through production. You will work closely with electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, and quality teams to validate product performance, diagnose issues, automate repeatable tests, and ensure reliable operation in real-world conditions. This role requires strong hands-on technical ability, structured problem-solving, clear documentation, and the ability to translate system requirements into practical test methods, fixtures, and acceptance criteria. United States veteran and diverse candidates are encouraged to apply at any experience level.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop, document, and execute test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria for electro-mechanical, robotic, camera, sensor, and embedded hardware systems
- Design, build, modify, and maintain test stations, fixtures, harnesses, and support equipment for engineering validation, production test, and troubleshooting
- Create automated or semi-automated test tools, scripts, data collection methods, and analysis workflows to improve repeatability, throughput, and visibility into product performance
- Analyze test results, identify trends and failure modes, document anomalies, and drive root-cause investigation with engineering and manufacturing teams
- Validate camera and sensor performance, including image quality, calibration, alignment, timing, connectivity, and environmental robustness
- Attend/support off-site third party tested for certifications or when internal resources are not adequate
- Support system-level and component-level troubleshooting of PCBAs, wire assemblies, motors, actuators, cameras, sensors, power systems, and related electro-mechanical equipment
- Support bring-up, integration, verification, and debug of new and existing PCBAs, subassemblies, prototypes, and finished products
- Maintain accurate engineering documentation, including test procedures, work instructions, test reports, failure analysis summaries, and equipment configuration records
- Provide feedback to improve product design robustness, manufacturability, serviceability, and test coverage
Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes:
- Experience testing electromechanical, robotic, camera, sensor, embedded, or similarly complex hardware systems in R&D, validation, or production environments
- Ability to translate product requirements, engineering intent, and failure modes into clear test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, and reports
- Experience with test equipment such as DMMs, oscilloscopes, current probes, power supplies, electronic loads, logic analyzers, signal generators, and data acquisition tools
- Experience with mechanical and electrical integration, including PCBAs, cable harnesses, motors, actuators, sensors, cameras, optics, embedded compute, and power systems
- Experience creating or maintaining test fixtures, harnesses, test stations, calibration methods, and work instructions for engineering and production use
- Ability to read and understand PCB schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, interface control documents, and product specifications
- Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to isolate issues across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, optical, and system-level interfaces
- Experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting test data using tools such as Python, MATLAB, Excel, databases, logs, serial terminals, or similar engineering workflows
- Familiarity with camera testing concepts such as focus, alignment, exposure, image quality, calibration, sensor timing, bandwidth, and environmental performance is preferred
- Team player, able to collaborate cross-functionally while also working independently and managing priorities in a fast-moving environment
- Self-starter with strong attention to detail, clear communication, and a commitment to safe, organized, and well-documented engineering work
- Experience with software and tools such as SolidWorks, Altium, PuTTY, Git, Python, Linux, AI tools, or similar engineering applications is preferred
Compensation:
This will be a salaried, exempt position. Compensation to be discussed relative to experience and abilities.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 5% Safe Harbor Contribution to 401k by Hellbender
- 100% of Health, Dental, and Vision insurance premiums for employees and their families paid by Hellbender
- 7.5 weeks total Paid time off
- Profit Sharing (through 401k)
- Hybrid work environment & flexible work schedule
Work Location: UPARC Pittsburgh
Opportunity for advancement:
Hellbender is a growing business and follows a policy that prioritizes internal promotions. As new positions are created new opportunities for advancement will be created as well.
Skills Required
- Must be a U.S. person
- Experience testing electromechanical, robotic, camera, sensor, embedded, or similarly complex hardware systems in R&D, validation, or production environments
- Ability to translate product requirements, engineering intent, and failure modes into test plans, procedures, acceptance criteria, and reports
- Experience using DMMs, oscilloscopes, current probes, power supplies, electronic loads, logic analyzers, signal generators, and data acquisition tools
- Experience with mechanical and electrical integration involving PCBAs, cable harnesses, motors, actuators, sensors, cameras, optics, embedded compute, and power systems
- Experience creating or maintaining test fixtures, harnesses, test stations, calibration methods, and work instructions
- Ability to read and understand PCB schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, interface control documents, and product specifications
- Strong troubleshooting skills across hardware, firmware, software, mechanical, optical, and system-level interfaces
- Experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting test data using Python, MATLAB, Excel, databases, logs, serial terminals, or similar workflows
- Familiarity with camera testing concepts including focus, alignment, exposure, image quality, calibration, sensor timing, bandwidth, and environmental performance
- Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and work independently while managing priorities
- Strong attention to detail, clear communication, and commitment to safe, organized, well-documented engineering work
- Experience with SolidWorks, Altium, PuTTY, Git, Python, Linux, AI tools, or similar engineering applications
What We Do
Bringing computer vision and AI/ML products to the edge. From R&D to Product Our team has experience conducting research starting at Technology Readiness Level 3 up through production and fielding. Where most small firms stop at the acquisitions "Valley of Death," we can help you go from experiment to product. Sensors and Robotic Systems With a strong background in sensors, field robotics, and embedded machine learning, we can help you leverage the best practical technology available to solve your problems. Domestic Manufacturing We do prototype and low-rate manufacturing right here in-house. Modern manufacturing equipment enables us to re-shore domestic manufacturing. Our current investments include an SMT pick and place line, robotic work cells, camera focus, sensor calibration, and light machining. We're building our process to be FAR compliant and meet AS9100D for quality. We'd be excited to be a trusted supplier for you. Partnerships We think that our transparent, frank, and honest approach to doing business makes us a trustworthy partner that will be a steward of your interests. Have a team capability or skill gap that needs to be filled? Have a sensor or robotics R&D project to transition to product? We are a flexible partner that would love to speak with you about your needs.









