Hardware Systems & Lab Engineer, Robotics & Operations

Responsibilities

• Design and build custom robotic platforms for experiments, including manipulators, mobile robots, and specialized end-effectors for research tasks.
• Develop modular hardware systems for testbeds that can be reconfigured to test different morphologies and validate co-designed robot architectures.
• Create sensor and actuator modules that integrate with research software, including cameras, force sensors, IMUs, and custom actuator designs.
• Manage vendor relationships and procurement including sourcing components, managing budgets, coordinating with suppliers, and maintaining spare parts inventory.
• Support hardware-software integration by working with researchers to ensure reliable communication between physical systems and control algorithms.
• Establish and maintain safety protocols including lockout/tagout procedures, emergency stops, safety interlocks, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Organize and maintain lab infrastructure including workbenches, tool organization, storage systems, and specialized equipment like 3D printers and test fixtures.
• Manage lab inventory and supplies ensuring adequate stock of common components, maintaining organization systems, and coordinating purchasing.
• Train researchers on safe equipment use including robot operation procedures, tool usage, safety protocols, and emergency responses.
• Maintain lab equipment including preventive maintenance schedules, calibration procedures, and coordinating repairs when needed.
• Ensure compliance with institutional safety requirements, building codes, and relevant regulations for robotics laboratories.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in robotic hardware development, including designing and building custom robotic platforms, integrating sensors, actuators, and compute systems, creating modular, reconfigurable hardware systems, troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems, possessing strong mechatronics skills spanning mechanical design, electrical engineering, and embedded systems, and translating researcher needs into hardware specifications.
• Experience with lab management and safety including developing safety protocols, maintaining equipment inventories, organizing workspaces, and training users on proper procedures.
• Understanding of the research-hardware interface, able to balance capability with reliability, skilled at rapid prototyping and iteration, value documentation and maintainability, and progress with autonomy while ensuring safety.

Skills

• Strong mechatronics skills spanning mechanical design, electrical engineering, and embedded systems.
• Experience with lab management and safety including developing safety protocols, maintaining equipment inventories, organizing workspaces, and training users on proper procedures.
• Understanding of the research-hardware interface, able to balance capability with reliability, skilled at rapid prototyping and iteration, value documentation and maintainability, and progress with autonomy while ensuring safety.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Full-time position with in-person workdays.
• New York City or Cambridge, MA location (must be on-site for lab management).

Pay

• Competitive salary.

Schedule

• Full-time position with in-person workdays.