Tech Lead – Testing Engineer
About RIVR, part of Amazon
RIVR, part of Amazon is a robotics company pioneering Physical AI through real-world doorstep delivery. Founded in 2024 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, RIVR developed wheeled-legged robots designed to operate in complex, unstructured environments such as stairs, gates, doors, and uneven urban terrain. We believe that achieving general physical intelligence requires solving real customer problems in the real world, where robots can learn from rich operational data at scale.
Following our acquisition by Amazon in March 2026, we are continuing this mission with greater reach and speed. By combining custom robot hardware, onboard autonomy, and cloud-based coordination, RIVR, part of Amazon is building the next generation of safe, reliable autonomous robots for last-mile delivery.
Job Description
We are looking for a Technical Lead - Testing Engineer to own and elevate the testing strategy for our advanced robotic systems. In this role you will define how we validate hardware reliability and performance, from individual actuator characterization through full system-level integration. You will lead a team of test engineers, set technical directions and goals for test infrastructure, and be the bridge between technical unknowns and experimental measurements that enable engineering decisions ultimately shaping our robots.
This is a hands-on leadership role. You will still design test benches, write automation code, and dig into data, but you will also mentor engineers, drive process maturity, and represent testing in cross-functional planning. If you combine deep technical expertise in hardware testing with the ability to set priorities, grow people, and influence design outcomes, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape how a Physical AI company validates its products.
What you'll be doing
Define and own the end-to-end test strategy for structural, mechatronic, and sensing subsystems, aligned with product development milestones.
Establish testing standards, processes, and best practices across the team, including test plan templates, data management workflows, and reporting formats.
Make architectural decisions on test infrastructure: investments into instrumentation platforms, automation frameworks, and data pipelines.
Drive continuous improvement of test coverage, efficiency, and predictive capability.
Design, commission, and operate test benches for mechatronics systems (actuators, mechanism, cabling and sensor), including fixture design, instrumentation layout, and safety concepts.
Select, integrate, and calibrate sensors, load cells, thermocouples with a thorough understanding of their working principles and error influences.
Develop and maintain automation scripts (Python, Labview) to control test hardware, execute stress and performance tests, and log critical data.
Process and analyze test data applying signal processing and statistics fundamental to extract meaningful performance metrics.
Compile clear, structured test reports that compare results against specifications, highlight anomalies, and derive actionable engineering learnings to feed back into the design cycle.
Identify failure modes, performance bottlenecks, and reliability risks, translating findings into concrete design recommendations.
Represent the test function in design reviews, providing data-driven input on FMEA, and qualification criteria.
Mentor and grow test engineers, fostering technical depth and a culture of rigorous, curiosity-driven experimentation.
Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and systems engineers to align test strategies with product requirements.
Coordinate with external test labs and suppliers when specialized testing is required.
Technical Leadership & Strategy
Hands-On Testing & Engineering
Reporting & Design Influence
Team & Collaboration
Basic Qualifications
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related technical field.
7+ years of experience in hardware testing or validation, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership or senior individual contributor role.
Proven experience designing and commissioning test benches for electro-mechanical system or consumer electronics with significant power and motion elements.
Strong scripting proficiency in Python for test automation, device control, and data analysis.
Practical knowledge of sensors and instrumentation - torque cells, encoders, load cells, thermocouples, strain gauges, including their working principles, error influences, and calibration requirements.
Demonstrated ability to turn test data into clear engineering insights that influence design decisions.
Experience developing and reviewing test plans, test cases, and qualification criteria.
The ability to work hands-on in a workshop environment and use common tools safely.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with motor or actuator characterization (efficiency mapping, cogging-torque analysis, thermal correlation).
Familiarity with test automation frameworks (LabVIEW, pytest) or hardware-in-the-loop setups.
Understanding of measurement uncertainty analysis (GUM) and calibration procedures.
Hands-on experience with ROS/ROS2.
Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar) for designing test fixtures.
Knowledge of data acquisition (DAQ) hardware and system integration.
Experience working in robotics, automotive, or aerospace test environments.
Track record of building or scaling a test engineering function within a fast-moving hardware team.