Test Engineer
1X · Hayward, United States · 22d ago
About 1X
We’re building humanoid robots that work in any space humans exist with the mission to create an abundance of labor. Simple, but it’s not.
To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, software, hardware, manufacturing and operations at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.
NEO is our flagship - a general purpose robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it, we're shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.
If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time safely creating abundance for all.
About the Team:
The Hands team is responsible for developing the robotic hands that allow NEO to interact with the physical world. The work spans complex electromechanical assemblies, actuators, sensors, motor controls, structures, and embedded systems.
As a Test Engineer, you will build the test infrastructure that allows the team to understand how these systems behave and prove that they are robust, capable, and ready for real-world use.
This is a highly hands-on role. You will spend time designing and building fixtures and test equipment, integrating instrumentation, writing test software, running tests, troubleshooting failures, and working directly with the hardware.
Your Charter:
Build the test systems and methods that prove NEO's hands and hand components perform reliably under real-world conditions.
You will own test infrastructure from requirements through execution: including fixtures, instrumentation, electrical interfaces, controls, software, data collection, and safety systems. You will also use these systems to validate hardware, analyze telemetry, identify failure modes, and turn test results into clear engineering decisions.
Key Outcomes:
Robust test systems: Design and build end-to-end test systems for robotic hands and hand components, including fixtures, instrumentation, electrical interfaces, controls, software, and safety mechanisms.
Repeatable validation: Translate engineering requirements into reliable test methods that exercise sensors, motors, motor control electronics, structural components, and complete hand assemblies under representative loads and operating conditions.
Automated testing: Develop test software and control logic to configure test profiles, communicate with devices under test, collect telemetry, automate test progression, and detect issues in real time.
Hands-on test execution: Own tests from equipment bring-up through completion, including device integration, setup, monitoring, troubleshooting, inspections, and safe operation of test equipment.
Useful engineering data: Analyze telemetry and instrumentation data to identify anomalies, failure signatures, and trends. Turn raw test data into concise reports that clearly communicate results, risks, and recommended next steps.
Fast failure learning: Investigate failures quickly, reproduce unexpected behavior, and determine whether an issue originates in the test system or the product.
Scalable test infrastructure: Build reusable test software, instrumentation, and test architectures that improve validation coverage and increase engineering throughput as the hand program scales.
Key Competencies:
Test system development for complex electromechanical hardware
Electrical test and instrumentation
Test automation and software development
Data acquisition and telemetry
Closed-loop test control
Hardware/software integration
Failure investigation and root-cause analysis
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related engineering discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience.
Demonstrated experience developing and integrating test systems for complex electromechanical products.
Strong experience working with systems that combine sensors, electric motors, motor control electronics, wiring, structural components, and embedded control systems.
Ability to write test software, develop test profiles, interface test controls with embedded hardware, and read or modify device-under-test software as needed.
Experience working with telemetry and real-time signals for automated testing, diagnostics, closed-loop control, or issue detection.
Hands-on experience with equipment such as data acquisition systems, power supplies, microcontrollers, wiring and relays, actuators, sensors, and custom test fixtures.
Preferred Skills:
Experience testing robotic hands, grippers, actuators, precision mechanisms, or other high-degree-of-freedom electromechanical systems.
Experience developing automated fault detection, health monitoring, or telemetry-based diagnostics.
Experience with long-duration, durability, or reliability testing.
Experience with environmental testing, including thermal/humidity chambers or vibration testing.
What does a successful 1X Team Member look like:
Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.
Compensation Range:
$150,000-166,000
Benefits:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
Onsite snacks and catered lunches
Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.