Hardware Testing Engineer - Body & Joints

At Mentee Robotics, we are redefining humanoid automation with an AI-first approach - combining perception, reasoning, and dexterous manipulation into fully autonomous systems that continuously learn and improve. We offer an exceptional opportunity to participate in building next-generation commercial humanoid robots from 0 to 1, alongside competitive compensation, and an international engineering environment. We are expanding with a new robotics Engineering Center in China, working hand-in-hand with our engineering teams in headquarters. Its mission: to rapidly develop our next-generation full-size humanoid platform and bring it to production.

We are looking for a Hardware Testing Engineer - Body & Joints to lead whole-body (system-level) humanoid testing, system integration testing, environmental qualification, and full-robot functional validation (60% focus), alongside dynamic performance and reliability testing for high-torque joint actuators (40% focus).

Who you are:

• Data-driven test practitioner passionate about validating full-scale humanoid robots under complex real-world conditions, while also pushing high-torque joint actuators and robotic skeletons to their limits.
• Hands-on builder who constructs system-level testing setups, automated full-body testing scripts, multi-channel DAQ integration, environmental test chambers, and joint dynamometer test benches.
• Rigorous troubleshooter skilled at Root Cause Analysis (8D/FMEA) bridging mechanical wear, structural compliance, and electrical component failures.
• A strong collaborator across structural design, joint actuation, power electronics, and embedded firmware teams.

Responsibilities:

• Lead whole-body humanoid system integration testing, end-to-end functional validation, dynamic motion profiling, and full-robot system reliability testing.
• Design, write test cases for, and execute whole-body tests covering highly dynamic locomotion, heavy payload manipulation, complex terrain navigation, fall recovery, balance stability, and structural reliability.
• Execute whole-body mechanical and environmental qualification: drop shock, dynamic payload capacity, whole-body vibration profile sweeps, thermal dissipation limits, and ingress protection (IP) verification.
• Collaborate closely with motor and actuator engineers to assist in joint module and motor testing, performance validation, and thermal limit evaluations.
• Perform root cause failure analysis (RCFA) on broken joint gears, bearings, motor windings, and structural components using 8D/FMEA methodologies.
• Execute Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) and Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS) to establish hardware reliability boundaries.
• Define quality acceptance criteria, testing SOPs, and end-of-line verification procedures for pilot production lines.
• Maintain lab test equipment calibration, high-voltage battery safety protocols, and testing infrastructure.

Requirements:

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related disciplines.
• 5+ years of hardware testing and reliability engineering experience in whole-body robotic systems, complex electro-mechanical platforms, motor drive systems, or aerospace actuators.
• Proficient with system-level instrumentation and testing tools: whole-body motion capture / tracking tools, environmental chambers, oscilloscopes, CAN analyzers, strain gauges, accelerometers, and thermal cameras.
• Strong experience in designing test scenarios, writing test cases, and utilizing automated testing software/scripting tools (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB).
• Ability to work alongside motor engineers to evaluate joint/motor performance data and assist in motor validation test execution.
• Deep technical understanding of mechanical failure modes (gear fatigue, harmonic wave generator wear, bearing pitting) and thermal dynamics in high-power BLDCs.
• Solid knowledge of international test standards (ISO, IEC, MIL-STD) for vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and electrical safety.
• Methodical approach to data analysis, documentation, and technical reporting.

Advantages:

• Direct experience testing high-torque frameless BLDC motors, harmonic/planetary reducers, or humanoid joint modules.
• Experience in structural fatigue testing of aluminum alloys limbs.
• Knowledge of functional safety testing and high-voltage DC safety protocols.
• Comfortable communicating technical topics in English with international teams.