Staff Systems Engineer - Dexterity

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced Staff Systems Engineer to to own the end-to-end architecture integration and lifecycle of our next-generation dexterous humanoid robot hands. This role sits at the intersection of mechanical design embedded systems sensing controls and software integration. You will be responsible for defining system requirements driving cross-functional execution and ensuring that our humanoid hands meet performance reliability safety and manufacturability targets. This is a high-impact role with ownership from concept through deployment. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment with a successful track record of leading engineering design verification and product validation of electro-mechanical products we’d love to speak with you. This position requires deep experience in robotics systems design scaling complex systems and the ability to balance technical vision with pragmatic execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Define and maintain system-level requirements and specifications.
• Develop and manage system architecture for dexterous humanoid hands (mechanical electrical sensing actuation firmware controls).
• Drive interface definitions between hand hardware and higher-level robot control systems.
• Perform trade studies across performance weight cost manufacturability and reliability.
• Lead system integration efforts across hardware firmware and control stacks.
• Develop verification and validation (V&V) plans and test protocols.
• Define performance benchmarks (force control grip strength dexterity tactile feedback latency thermal limits).

• Partner with mechanical electrical embedded controls AI and manufacturing teams.

• Lead Systems requirement definition and integration across all hardware sensing compute power management and distribution EE architecture capabilities and operator interfaces.
• Design for real-time performance fault tolerance and reliability in a production environment
• Coordinate prototype builds and design reviews.
• Support supplier selection and qualification for actuators sensors and precision components.
• Support compliance safety standards and field deployment readiness.
• Design and develop requirements for real-time monitoring data logging and remote diagnostics for production scale robot fleets
• Drive and support root cause failure analysis and fault recovery mechanism to enhance uptime and performance

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Deep experience in designing and scaling complex hardware systems for real-time high-DOF robotics applications.
• Strong understanding of Precision actuation (BLDC tendon-driven systems harmonic drives etc.) Embedded systems and real-time control Sensor integration (tactile force/torque encoders) and Closed-loop control systems
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills.
• Experience with dexterous manipulation systems or anthropomorphic robotic hands.
• Background in tactile sensing impedance control or compliant actuation.
• Experience taking robotic hardware from prototype to production.
• Knowledge of safety standards for collaborative robotics.
• Strong grasp of robotics architecture patterns perception sensing actuation kinematics and dynamics.
• Strong background in systems architecture human machine interface design and experience with reliability engineering including logging telemetry debugging and automated test frameworks.
• Knowledge of communications protocols perception (camera) systems tactile (touch) sensing and their implementation and application in robotics and robotic manipulation
• Familiarity with human grasp taxonomies and principles of robotic manipulation
• Well-informed on state-of-the-art in Machine Learning and its applications in robotics controls and robotics manipulation
• Collaborative communicative and motivated by leading a tight knit team of expert engineers
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity in an R&D focused environment

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in engineering. Master’s and / or PhD degree in engineering preferred.

• 10+ years in systems and/or software engineering with at least 5+ in complex robotics systems or autonomous systems
• Demonstrated experience owning system-level architecture of robotic or mechatronic products.
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate.

What We Do

Apptronik is building robots for the real world to improve human quality of life and to help solve the ever-increasing labor shortage problem. Our team has been building some of the most advanced robots on the planet for years dating back to the DARPA Robotics Challenge. We apply our expertise across the full robotics stack to some of the most important and impactful problems our society faces and expect our products and technology to change the world for the better. We value passion creativity and collaboration to help us overcome existing technological barriers in the industry to create truly innovative products.

Why Work With Us

At Apptronik we don't see a future where man competes against machine. Instead we envision a harmonious world where man and machine coexist. Our mission statement "It is not Man vs. Machine but Man + Machine" encapsulates our belief that the synergy between humans and robots will pave the way for a brighter more advanced future.

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