Test & Validation Engineer - Motors and Actuators

Job description

# **About 1X** We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not. To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us. NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you. If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all. # **About the Team** The Test & Validation team is responsible for ensuring that the systems powering NEO perform reliably in the real world. We develop the infrastructure, methodologies, and data that allow engineering teams to understand system performance, uncover weaknesses, and validate designs before they reach production. Working across hardware, controls, firmware, and robotics teams, we provide the objective evidence that drives engineering decisions and helps transform promising prototypes into robust products. # **Your Charter** Own the characterization, testing, and validation of electric motors and robotic actuators that enable NEO's movement. Your work will generate the performance data, reliability insights, and validation frameworks needed to ensure our actuator systems meet demanding requirements for efficiency, durability, safety, and real-world operation. As a Test & Validation Engineer, you'll play a critical role in closing the loop between design, implementation, and product performance, helping engineering teams make faster and more informed decisions. # **Key Outcomes** - Deliver accurate, repeatable actuator and motor performance characterization across operating conditions and use cases - Build and maintain scalable test infrastructure that enables efficient validation throughout development and production cycles - Identify performance limitations, reliability risks, and failure modes early enough to influence design decisions and reduce program risk - Provide high-quality test data and actionable insights that improve actuator performance, efficiency, and robustness - Support successful product releases through comprehensive validation, regression testing, and cross-functional collaboration # **Key Competencies** - Strong experimental mindset with the ability to design tests that answer meaningful engineering questions - Excellent hands-on engineering skills with electromechanical systems, instrumentation, and laboratory equipment - Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with attention to detail and measurement quality - Ability to collaborate effectively across hardware, firmware, controls, and systems engineering teams - Ownership mentality with a passion for building reliable test processes and improving product quality # **Minimum Requirements** - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field and 5 years of experience. - Experience testing electromechanical systems, actuators, motors, or power electronics - Strong hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and hardware debugging - Experience analyzing test data and communicating results to engineering stakeholders - Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams # **Preferred Skills** - Experience with motor dynamometers, actuator test benches, or robotic hardware validation - Familiarity with motor control systems and actuator performance characterization - Experience with test automation, scripting, and automated data collection workflows - Exposure to reliability, durability, environmental, or lifetime testing methodologies - Experience supporting hardware bring-up, root-cause analysis, and failure investigations # **What does a successful 1X Team Member look like?** Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect. # **Compensation Range** $95,000 - $142,600 + Equity # **Benefits** - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage - Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave - 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%) - Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options - Commuter benefits (transit and parking) - Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support - Onsite snacks and catered lunches # **Equal Opportunity Employer** 1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.