Senior Mechatronics and Control Engineer

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.

• 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.

• 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 Solid Works, 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.

• 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%.

JL