Operations Manufacturing Test Lead

Join the team bringing advanced autonomy to the built world At Bedrock, we're moving AI out of the lab and into the real world. Our team includes veterans who helped launch Waymo, scaled Segment to a $3.2B acquisition, and grew Uber Freight to $5B in revenue. Today, we're deploying autonomous systems on heavy construction equipment across the country, improving safety on job sites and accelerating schedules on critical infrastructure projects. We're not here debating the future of AI. We're deploying it in the real world. In just two years, we've raised $350M and achieved the first fully autonomous excavator deployments in construction. This is where algorithms meet steel-toed boots. You'll work alongside construction veterans and world-class engineers to solve physical-world problems that simulations can't touch. If you're ready to do meaningful work on hard problems, we'd love to have you join us. Role Overview We are looking for a Manufacturing Test Engineer to design, build, and scale robust test systems that ensure product quality from early hardware development through high-volume manufacturing and fleet deployment. This role sits at the intersection of hardware engineering, manufacturing, and quality—owning test strategy, infrastructure, and execution to catch design, process, workmanship, and component-level issues before products reach the field. You will develop automated, data-driven test frameworks and diagnostic systems that enable fast bring-up, high coverage, and scalable production operations. Key Responsibilities Test Strategy & Framework DevelopmentDefine end-to-end manufacturing test strategy across EVT, DVT, PVT, and productionDevelop scalable hardware test frameworks covering functional, system-level, and end-of-line testingArchitect modular test systems that can evolve from prototype builds to high-volume manufacturingEstablish test coverage goals to ensure detection of:Design defectsComponent quality issuesManufacturing process variationWorkmanship defects Test Development & AutomationDesign and implement functional test systems (electrical, mechanical, system-level validation)Develop automated test scripts and sequences using Python or similar languagesIntegrate test equipment (DAQs, sensors, vision systems, robotics interfaces, etc.)Build diagnostic tools to quickly isolate failures and reduce debug timeEnable data logging, traceability, and test result analytics Work Order & Manufacturing Execution IntegrationConfigure and manage work orders and test flows within MES or manufacturing systemsDefine test steps, pass/fail criteria, and routing logic across stationsEnsure traceability of test results to serial numbers, components, and build configurationsPartner with manufacturing teams to optimize throughput and minimize test time Product & Manufacturing Line Bring-UpLead test bring-up for new products during EVT/DVT/PVT buildsSupport factory ramp by deploying and validating test stations on production linesDebug early build issues and rapidly iterate on test coverage and methodsTrain operators and technicians on test processes and troubleshooting Diagnostics & Failure AnalysisDevelop structured diagnostic workflows to identify root causes of failuresPartner with hardware, firmware, and quality teams on root cause analysis (RCA)Differentiate between design issues, supplier defects, and manufacturing errorsImplement containment actions and feed improvements back into test and design Reliability & Sustaining TestDesign and execute ongoing reliability and stress testing (burn-in, environmental, lifecycle)Monitor failure trends and adjust test strategies to catch emerging issuesEnsure alignment between validation testing and production test coverage Test Coverage & Continuous ImprovementDefine and track test coverage metrics and escape ratesContinuously improve test effectiveness to reduce field failures and returnsOptimize test time, cost, and efficiency without compromising qualityDrive improvements in first pass yield (FPY) through better detection and diagnostics Data, Automation & ScalingBuild systems for automated data collection, analysis, and reportingLeverage scripting and software tools to streamline test development and executionImplement scalable solutions that support multi-line, multi-site manufacturingUtilize advanced tools (including AI Agents/ML where applicable) for:Anomaly detectionFailure classificationPredictive insights on test and field data Key Requirements Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field5+ years of experience in manufacturing test, hardware validation, or production engineeringExperience supporting NPI builds (EVT/DVT/PVT) and scaling production rampStrong experience with automated test development and scripting (Python preferred)Hands-on experience with test equipment (oscilloscopes, DAQs, power supplies, sensors, etc.)Familiarity with MES systems, work order configuration, and manufacturing workflowsExperience with hardware-software integration and embedded systems testingKnowledge of diagnostics, failure analysis, and reliability testing methodologiesExperience with data analysis tools (Python, SQL, or similar)Willing to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% Preferred Experience Robotics, autonomous systems, or complex electromechanical productsHigh-volume manufacturing and contract manufacturer environmentsVision systems, calibration processes, or system-level testingHIL/SIL testing frameworksProblem-Solving Mindset: Ability to manage and resolve complex challenges with little to no established playbooks, using creative and proven strategic thinking to drive solutions.Risk Management: Proven track record of identifying, managing, and mitigating risks in large, complex programs.Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity and able to thrive in a fast-moving, constantly evolving environment. What Success Looks Like High test coverage with minimal field escapesEfficient, scalable test systems that support rapid production rampFast and accurate failure detection and diagnosisImproved yield and reduced rework through better test and diagnosticsStrong alignment between design validation and manufacturing test Operating Style Hands-on, detail-oriented, and highly analyticalStrong problem solver with a bias toward root cause and data-driven decisionsComfortable working on the factory floor and in the labThrives in fast-paced environments with evolving products and processes If you thrive in dynamic environments, love solving complex challenges, and want to make an impact with cutting-edge technology, we’d love to hear from you! Day in the life - Manufacturing Test Engineer Morning: Data Review & Production Pulse Check You start by checking what happened overnight or on the previous shift: First Pass Yield (FPY) by stationTop failure modes and pareto trendsTest station uptime and bottlenecksAny line stops or escalations If a failure spikes—say a communication test or sensor calibration—you flag it immediately. Then you join a quick stand-up with manufacturing, quality, and engineering: What’s breaking on the line right now?Are failures real (product) or false (test issues)?What needs immediate containment vs. deeper investigation? You leave with a clear priority: keep the line running, but don’t let bad units escape. Mid-Morning: On-the-Line Debugging You’re on the manufacturing floor (or remote into stations), working side-by-side with technicians. Typical Scenarios A unit is failing functional test intermittently → you hook into logs, probe signals, and check if it’s hardware, firmware, or test script timingA station is slowing throughput → you optimize sequence timing or parallelize stepsA new build variant isn’t flowing correctly → you adjust work order/test routing in MES You’re Constantly Asking Is this a real defect or a test artifact?If it’s real, is it design, component, or process-related?How do we contain it now and detect it earlier next time? Midday: Test Development & Iteration Back at your desk or lab bench, you shift into build mode. You Might Be Writing Python scripts to automate a new functional testAdding diagnostics to isolate failures faster (better logging, error codes, signal capture)Integrating new hardware into the test system (DAQs, sensors, fixtures)Expanding test coverage to catch a recently discovered issue This is where you improve the system so the same issue doesn’t keep showing up on the line. Early Afternoon: Bring-Up & New Product Support If you’re in EVT/DVT/PVT or launching a new product, this block is intense. You’re Bringing up new test stations for a prototype or pilot buildDebugging early design issues exposed during testingDefining pass/fail limits where none existed beforeRapidly iterating test sequences as the product evolves Expect ambiguity—things aren’t fully defined yet, and you’re helping shape both the test strategy and the product quality bar. Mid-Afternoon: Failure Analysis & Cross-Functional Work You sit down with hardware, firmware, and quality engineers to go deeper on key issues: Reviewing failure logs and waveform capturesReproducing issues in the labRunning experiments to isolate root cause You Help Answer Did test catch this early enough?Should this be moved upstream (design validation vs. production test)?What additional coverage is needed to prevent escapes? This is where you connect test → design → manufacturing → field performance. Late Afternoon: Systems, Scaling & Optimization Now You Zoom Out And Improve The Broader System Updating MES flows (test steps, routing, traceability)Refining test limits to reduce false failures without letting defects passImproving test time to increase throughputBuilding dashboards for test data visibility You May Also Work On Reliability testing setups (burn-in, stress tests)Automation to reduce manual interventionSmarter failure classification (rule-based or AI-assisted) End of Day: Wrap-Up & Prioritization Before Signing Off, You Check if critical line issues are containedEnsure test changes are deployed and documentedAlign with the next shift or offshore teamsSet priorities for the next day (new tests, top failures, line risks) What Makes The Role Unique You are the gatekeeper between manufacturing and the fieldYou constantly balance coverage vs. speed vs. costYou touch everything: hardware, software, fixtures, data systems, and operationsYour work directly impacts yield, reliability, and customer experience In One Sentence You spend your day building and refining the systems that catch problems early, diagnose them quickly, and keep production moving without compromising quality. Bedrock Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Reasonable Accommodations We want our hiring process to be accessible to everyone. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know so we can support you.