Junior Systems Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 28, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 19, 2026. Pickle Robot scores A on the Alion truth index.
We’re looking for a Junior Systems Engineer to join the team that defines what our robotic unloading systems must do and proves that they do it. Physical AI earns its place on a loading dock only when it is specified, traced, and verified like any other engineered system, and that’s the work this team does.
You’ll write and maintain system requirements, trace them from product needs through testing, and help author the design documents and interface definitions that let hardware and software teams build to a shared contract. You’ll work closely with Product, Engineering, and our System Verification and Test team, and spend time with the robots so your requirements reflect how the system actually behaves. You’ll see that work tested on robots in our warehouse and at customer sites.
This role suits someone early in their career who likes structure, asks precise questions, and wants to learn how a complex robot comes together across mechanical, electrical, software, and test.
What You'll Do
Write and maintain clear, measurable, testable system requirements, and keep the requirements register accurate as designs change.
Trace product requirements to system requirements and test cases, identify coverage gaps, and drive them to closure.
Prepare requirements for review and approval with Engineering, Test, and Systems, and work through feedback and rejections to resolution.
Work with the System Verification and Test team to ensure test cases trace to requirements and that verification coverage is complete.
Write feature requirements documents that define how each feature works across the robot's subsystems, and help develop cross-functional design solutions with mechanical, electrical, and software teams.
What You'll Bring
Typically 0-3 years of experience in systems engineering, robotics, or a related engineering role. New graduates are welcome; 1-2 years of industry experience is a plus.
Strong sense of ownership: you take a problem, see it through to completion, and make things happen without waiting to be asked.
Internship, co-op, or student project experience (for example, competition teams or capstone projects) where you defined requirements, ran tests, or integrated hardware and software.
Precise technical writer who can turn an ambiguous need into a requirement someone can build and test against.
Organized and detail-oriented, comfortable keeping a large body of requirements consistent and up to date.
Curious about how mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems interact, and willing to dig into the details of each.
Clear communicator who works well with cross-functional teams and contributes thoughtfully to design reviews.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering preferred; degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related field will be considered alongside relevant systems engineering experience.
Onsite presence is expected at least 3 days per week at our Charlestown, MA offices to stay close to the hardware.
- Familiarity with Jira or a similar tracking tool
- Exposure to requirements management or test planning
- Python scripting
- Experience with robots or other hardware in a production setting
Nice to Have