Senior Hardware Test Engineer

Since its founding in 2015, 1X has been at the forefront of developing advanced humanoid robots designed for household use. Our mission is to create an abundant supply of labor via safe, intelligent humanoids. 

We strive for excellence in all we do, solving some of the hardest problems in robotics with the world’s most talented individuals. Every part of our robots is designed and produced in-house—from motor coils to AI—reflecting our vertically integrated approach. At 1X, you’ll own real projects, be recognized for your achievements, and rewarded based on merit.

We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations. 

As we scale from research and development to full-scale manufacturing, we are seeking a Senior Hardware Testing Engineer to own and lead reliability testing efforts. In this role, you will focus on ensuring the long-term performance and durability of our robotic systems, identifying potential failure points, and driving improvements to increase reliability at scale.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, implement, and manage reliability testing protocols for robotic hardware, including environmental, mechanical, electrical, and lifecycle tests.

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for hardware failures, working cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and firmware teams to resolve issues.

• Develop automated test rigs and systems to perform continuous reliability testing of key robotic subsystems (e.g., joints, actuators, sensors).

• Create and maintain detailed test documentation, including test plans, procedures, and reports, ensuring clear communication of test results and recommendations.

• Conduct Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) and Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS) to proactively identify weak points in design.

• Collaborate with design teams to implement Design for Reliability (DfR) principles, ensuring robust designs that can withstand real-world use.

• Evaluate and track failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) results, recommending improvements to reduce risk of failure.

• Work closely with manufacturing partners to ensure that reliability testing is part of the production process, identifying and mitigating risks during scaling.

• Stay up to date with reliability standards and best practices across industries to ensure our testing processes are world-class.

• Provide technical mentorship to junior team members and build a culture of continuous improvement within the hardware testing team.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in hardware testing and reliability engineering, with a focus on complex electromechanical systems.

• Expertise in reliability testing methodologies, including environmental, mechanical, and electrical stress tests.

• Strong knowledge of root cause analysis (RCA) methods and tools, such as 8D, Fishbone, or 5 Whys.

• Experience designing custom test rigs for automated and long-term testing.

• Familiarity with FMEA and experience improving product designs based on reliability data.

• Proficiency with data acquisition tools and test automation platforms.

• Strong communication and documentation skills, with the ability to clearly present test results and recommendations.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.