Senior Mechatronics and Control Engineer

The Senior Mechatronics and Control Engineer will work directly as a member of the RAD research and development team to rapidly prototype automation systems that combine mechanisms, sensors, perception, motion planning, controls, and software integration. This role is for a robotics generalist with broad experience across the layers of a robotic system The candidate should be comfortable moving from CAD and hands-on prototype fabrication to Python/C++ software, ROS-based integration, system bring-up, testing, and debugging. They will integrate existing technologies into new prototype systems, make practical engineering tradeoffs quickly, and turn partially defined automation needs into working robotic demonstrations and early production concepts.

Functions

• Own rapid prototyping efforts for robotic automation systems, from concept and CAD through prototype build, perception integration, motion planning, test, and iteration.

• Translate operational and customer needs defined by product teams into system requirements, prototype architectures, and practical engineering plans.

• Design, modify, and fabricate mechanisms, end effectors, fixtures, and automation subsystems using CAD and hands-on prototyping methods.

• Integrate robot arms, end effectors, sensors, perception components, motion planning software, and control interfaces into working systems.

• Develop and debug Python, C++, and ROS/ROS2 software for prototype behavior, integration, data collection, and system validation.

• Bring up, test, and troubleshoot incomplete systems across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software boundaries.

• Use experiments and metrics to compare candidate solutions and drive design decisions.

• Work with suppliers, machinists, contract manufacturers, and internal engineering partners to turn rough concepts into robust prototypes.

• Communicate results through clear technical writing, design reviews, test plans, reports, and documentation.

• Travel to customers as needed to understand automation needs, observe system constraints, and support prototype trials.

Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical engineering, robotics, Computer Science, mechatronics, computer engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

• Demonstrated generalist ability across the robotics stack, including mechanical design, prototyping, software integration, robot bring-up, and system-level debugging.

• Proficiency with 3D CAD, preferably SolidWorks, including mechanical design for prototypes and 2D drawings as needed.

• Strong hands-on prototyping skills with shop tools, 3D printing, basic fabrication, and rapid iteration methods.

• Working knowledge of Python and C++ for robotics or automation systems.

• Experience with ROS or ROS2-based robot integration.

• Experience integrating robot arms, end effectors, sensors, actuators, and automation equipment.

• Ability to learn new technical areas quickly and make progress with incomplete requirements and limited guidance.

• Ability to set aggressive but feasible milestones, identify technical risk, and communicate tradeoffs.

• Experience with perception systems for robotics, such as camera-based sensing, calibration, object detection, or pose estimation.

• Experience with motion planning, robot trajectories, and practical robot application development.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Six or more years of relevant engineering experience in robotics, automation, mechatronics, or closely related systems.

• Experience with PLCs or industrial automation controls.

• Familiarity with controls theory, motion control, or servo tuning.

• Familiarity with PCB design or electrical design enough to collaborate with electrical engineering partners and handle simple harnesses, wiring diagrams, grounding, and integration details.

• Experience designing systems for industrial, warehouse, food-handling, or customer-facing automation environments.

• Experience developing and running experiments to validate prototype performance.

Travel: Occasional; up to 10%.

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