Senior Hardware Test Engineer

Do you love building systems that ensure complex robots work flawlessly in the real world? At Cobot, we’re creating the software and hardware foundation for the next generation of collaborative robots — and we’re looking for a Senior Hardware Test Engineer to lead how we validate the performance, safety, reliability, and manufacturability of our robotic systems.

In this role, you will own hardware test engineering across our prototypes and production platforms. You’ll design and automate test strategies for embedded hardware, subassemblies, and full robots; lead verification and validation (V&V) for key products; build hardware-in-the-loop setups; and partner closely with design, manufacturing, functional safety, and software teams. You will also develop tooling and automation that powers our hardware quality, manufacturing throughput, and data visibility.

This is a high-impact role where you’ll operate autonomously, find the work that needs to be done, identify risks early. If you’re excited to help define how cutting-edge robotics systems are tested, validated, and perfected, we’d love for you to join us.

This role is located in our Santa Clara (HQ) office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead hardware V&V for our robot and its subassemblies.

• Develop hardware test plans and automated test suites for electromechanical systems, embedded interfaces, and hardware–software integration.

• Design manufacturing tests for IQC, IPQC, and EOL; automate calibration, bring-up, configuration, and genealogy workflows.

• Investigate, debug, and triage hardware and software issues — from low-level interfaces to high-level autonomy stack.

• Build and extend hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test environments.

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams across embedded software, perception, controls, and mechanical/electrical domains.

• Contribute to internal tools for test automation, diagnostics, and log analysis.

• Mentor engineers on hardware testing, V&V practices, and writing reliable software for hardware.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of experience in hardware testing, ideally in robotics, hardware-focused automation, or embedded systems.

• Expert in object oriented Python and ability to navigate and modify code in C/C++.

• Experience writing code that runs and tests hardware.

• Experience validating systems that integrate software and electromechanical components.

• Familiarity with hardware communication protocols (EtherCAT, CAN, SPI, I2C).

• Comfortable working in Linux with standard debugging tools.

• Highly motivated teammate with excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Willing to occasionally travel.

• Must have and maintain US work authorization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with simulation frameworks (e.g., Gazebo, Webots, Isaac Sim).

• Proficiency in C/C++.

• Experience with automated testing tools such as Jenkins, Github runner, or equivalent.

• Familiarity with robot middleware such as ROS/ROS2.

• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with engineering teams to drive root cause analysis and quality improvements.

• Experience developing or maintaining telemetry/logging infrastructure for test analysis.

• Exposure to safety-related testing practices or certification processes (e.g., fault injection, redundancy validation).

The base salary range for this position is $195,000-$210,000 plus equity and comprehensive benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and experience level. The range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position in the noted geographic area. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Cobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

To all recruitment agencies: Collaborative Robotics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our employees. Collaborative Robotics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.