Staff Robotics Hardware Engineer

Job description

**About Us** Epia Neuro is a neural technology company developing intent-driven systems designed to restore function and independence for people living with neurological conditions. Its platform integrates implantable neural interfaces, adaptive algorithms, and assistive devices to translate neural intent into real-world action. The company’s initial focus is stroke-related motor impairment, with expansion into cognitive decline and other neurological disorders, focusing on long-term solutions for the growing aging population. **The Role** We’re looking for a Staff Robotics Hardware Engineer who will bring robotics experience, a hands-on approach, and deep technical knowledge. As a Staff Robotics Hardware Engineer, you will report to the Robotics Manager and be responsible for collaborating with Mechanical, Electrical, and Controls Engineers to design and develop a hand exoskeleton system, bringing it from a benchtop prototype to clinical study readiness. **Location** This role is based out of the San Francisco Bay Area and expected to work on site from our Alameda Headquarters. **What You’ll Do** **Electromechanical System Architecture, Integration & Validation** - Lead the architecture, integration, and validation of complex electromechanical systems for robotic exoskeleton platforms, including actuators, sensors, embedded electronics, and control subsystems. - Own end-to-end development of actuator modules and sensor-integrated subsystems from concept through prototype, system integration, and validation. - Define and execute comprehensive benchtop and system-level validation strategies to characterize actuator dynamics, sensor fidelity, and closed-loop system performance. - Lead debugging and root-cause analysis across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls domains, driving rapid resolution of complex integration challenges. - Drive technical decision-making for system reliability, manufacturability, and performance optimization across prototype and pre-production hardware. **Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Execution** - Serve as a technical lead for electromechanical integration efforts, mentoring junior engineers and guiding subsystem development and validation activities. - Establish engineering processes, documentation standards, and test methodologies to improve development efficiency and system robustness. - Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to define technical requirements, integration milestones, and validation criteria for next-generation robotic systems. - Support vendor selection, component evaluation, and design tradeoff analysis for sensors, actuators, embedded hardware, and integration tooling. - Contribute to long-term platform strategy, including scalable hardware architectures, reliability improvements, and transition pathways from R&D prototypes to deployable systems. **Prototyping & Hardware Development** - Lead rapid prototyping, iteration, and validation of electromechanical assemblies, actuator systems, and sensor-integrated hardware. - Design and oversee development of wiring harnesses, cable management systems, test fixtures, and integration tooling for complex robotic systems. - Drive hardware bring-up, integration testing, and verification activities across multidisciplinary system components. - Support development of scalable assembly and integration processes for future production-ready systems. **Qualifications** - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related field. - 7–10 years of industry experience developing and integrating complex electromechanical or robotic systems. - Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary integration efforts involving mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls systems. - Strong expertise in system validation, hardware characterization, and test development for electromechanical systems. - Extensive hands-on debugging experience using laboratory instrumentation including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, multimeters, and power analyzers. - Proficiency with Linux environments, command-line workflows, and Python for automation, testing, and analysis. - Experience developing embedded firmware for microcontrollers and real-time hardware systems. - Strong familiarity with sensors including IMUs, encoders, load cells, force/torque sensors, and related signal processing considerations. - Experience implementing, tuning, or debugging motor control systems including torque, position, velocity, or impedance control loops. - Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to drive technical initiatives across teams. - Proficiency with CAD tools such as SOLIDWORKS. **Preferred Qualifications** - Master’s or PhD in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline. - Experience developing robotic wearable systems, exoskeletons, medical devices, or human-interactive robotic platforms. - Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping tools and methods including 3D printing and fixture fabrication. - Experience transitioning systems from research prototypes toward scalable or production-ready architectures. - Familiarity with safety-critical systems, reliability testing, and design for manufacturability principles. - Experience with real-time communication systems and distributed embedded architectures. **Physical Requirements** Ability to work in a lab environment, including standing for extended periods, lifting up to 30 lbs, and performing hands-on assembly and testing of electromechanical systems. Requires manual dexterity for fine manipulation of components and ability to safely operate lab equipment and tools. **How We Work** - **We are intentional.** We prioritize and are thoughtful about how we use others’ time. - **We care for others.** We prioritize safety both for patients and one another. - **We own outcomes, not just tasks.** Our work demands the highest standards because it impacts real patients and real lives. - **Humility is a strength.** We are honest about what we know and what we don’t know. Getting it right matters more than being right. **Benefits** Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits listed below. - Competitive base salary with equity - 100% of healthcare coverage for you and your dependents - Generous vacation policy - Paid parental leave - Work from our beautiful waterfront office in Alameda, CA, with access to collaborative spaces and labs.