Mechatronics & Integration Engineer II

Job Title

Mechatronics & Integration Engineer

Folsom, California – USA

Full Time

Nextpower is a global leader in intelligent solar tracker and software solutions, optimizing solar power plant performance worldwide. Within Nextpower, the Robotics and Autonomy team develops and deploys intelligent robotic systems operating in live solar environments. These systems combine mobility, perception, embedded compute, autonomy algorithms, and cloud intelligence to increase inspection capacity, improve safety, and scale operations.

We move quickly and build real systems. This role is focused on turning ideas into working robots. You will work across mechanical, electrical, software, and robotics domains to rapidly prototype, integrate, test, and deploy new capabilities onto robotic platforms. The objective is not to design perfect systems on paper but to get them working quickly, learn from real‑world testing, and iterate.

It is a hands‑on engineering role – from CAD a bracket in the morning, solder a board after lunch, write a Python script, SSH into the robot, debug logs, and have a prototype running by Friday. You will work closely with autonomy, software, hardware engineers, technicians, and contractors to accelerate development and improve team velocity.

• Building and integrating robotic hardware systems
• Developing prototypes, fixtures, mounts, and test equipment
• Integrating sensors, firmware, software, and electrical systems
• Debugging issues across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software boundaries
• Supporting testing, deployment, and continuous improvement of robotic platforms

• Prototyping and Mechanical Design
  • Design and iterate mechanical components using CAD and 3D printing
  • Build and modify prototypes, fixtures, brackets, sensor mounts, cable routing, and engineering test systems
  • Create manufacturing drawings and documentation as needed
  • Support rapid iteration from prototype through deployment
  • Work with internal and external fabrication resources to build and improve robotic systems
• Mechatronics and Electrical Integration
  • Integrate sensors, actuators, controllers, embedded systems, and supporting electronics
  • Perform soldering, wiring, connector assembly, electrical rework, and hardware bring‑up
  • Debug electrical, communication, firmware, and integration issues
  • Support firmware validation and hardware verification activities
  • Develop and execute electrical and system‑level validation procedures
  • Characterize and troubleshoot sensor, power, and communication issues
• Robotics Software and System Integration
  • Develop scripts and utilities using Python, Bash, or similar tools
  • Configure, deploy, and debug software on Linux‑based robotic platforms
  • Collect logs, analyze system behavior, and support root cause analysis
  • Support sensor integration, calibration, data collection, and system characterization activities
  • Collaborate with software and autonomy engineers to integrate and validate new capabilities
  • Support software deployment, testing, and release validation activities
• Testing, Validation, and Deployment
  • Develop and execute engineering test plans and validation procedures
  • Build and maintain engineering test setups and development platforms
  • Collect data, analyze results, and make data‑driven engineering recommendations
  • Perform structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis
  • Support field testing, deployment, and operational validation activities
  • Identify recurring failure modes and help implement long‑term improvements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 2+ years of experience developing, integrating, testing, or deploying robotic or mechatronic systems in real‑world environments
• Strong hands‑on mechanical assembly experience including CAD, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing
• Experience soldering, wiring, troubleshooting, and reworking electrical systems including small electronic components, connectors, and signal wiring
• Experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, or firmware development
• Strong experience with…