Hardware Testing Engineer - Body & Joints
Shanghai, China
R&D – Hardware /
Full time /
On-site
At Mentee Robotics, we are redefining humanoid automation with an AI-first approach - combining perception, reasoning, and dexterous manipulation into fully autonomous systems that continuously learn and improve. We offer an exceptional opportunity to participate in building next-generation commercial humanoid robots from 0 to 1, alongside competitive compensation, and an international engineering environment. We are expanding with a new robotics Engineering Center in China, working hand-in-hand with our engineering teams in headquarters. Its mission: to rapidly develop our next-generation full-size humanoid platform and bring it to production.
We are looking for a Hardware Testing Engineer - Body & Joints to lead whole-body (system-level) humanoid testing, system integration testing, environmental qualification, and full-robot functional validation (60% focus), alongside dynamic performance and reliability testing for high-torque joint actuators (40% focus).
Who you are:
- Data-driven test practitioner passionate about validating full-scale humanoid robots under complex real-world conditions, while also pushing high-torque joint actuators and robotic skeletons to their limits.
- Hands-on builder who constructs system-level testing setups, automated full-body testing scripts, multi-channel DAQ integration, environmental test chambers, and joint dynamometer test benches.
- Rigorous troubleshooter skilled at Root Cause Analysis (8D/FMEA) bridging mechanical wear, structural compliance, and electrical component failures.
- A strong collaborator across structural design, joint actuation, power electronics, and embedded firmware teams.
Responsibilities:
- Lead whole-body humanoid system integration testing, end-to-end functional validation, dynamic motion profiling, and full-robot system reliability testing.
- Design, write test cases for, and execute whole-body tests covering highly dynamic locomotion, heavy payload manipulation, complex terrain navigation, fall recovery, balance stability, and structural reliability.
- Execute whole-body mechanical and environmental qualification: drop shock, dynamic payload capacity, whole-body vibration profile sweeps, thermal dissipation limits, and ingress protection (IP) verification.
- Collaborate closely with motor and actuator engineers to assist in joint module and motor testing, performance validation, and thermal limit evaluations.
- Perform root cause failure analysis (RCFA) on broken joint gears, bearings, motor windings, and structural components using 8D/FMEA methodologies.
- Execute Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) and Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS) to establish hardware reliability boundaries.
- Define quality acceptance criteria, testing SOPs, and end-of-line verification procedures for pilot production lines.
- Maintain lab test equipment calibration, high-voltage battery safety protocols, and testing infrastructure.
Requirements:
- B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related disciplines.
- 5+ years of hardware testing and reliability engineering experience in whole-body robotic systems, complex electro-mechanical platforms, motor drive systems, or aerospace actuators.
- Proficient with system-level instrumentation and testing tools: whole-body motion capture / tracking tools, environmental chambers, oscilloscopes, CAN analyzers, strain gauges, accelerometers, and thermal cameras.
- Strong experience in designing test scenarios, writing test cases, and utilizing automated testing software/scripting tools (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB).
- Ability to work alongside motor engineers to evaluate joint/motor performance data and assist in motor validation test execution.
- Deep technical understanding of mechanical failure modes (gear fatigue, harmonic wave generator wear, bearing pitting) and thermal dynamics in high-power BLDCs.
- Solid knowledge of international test standards (ISO, IEC, MIL-STD) for vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and electrical safety.
- Methodical approach to data analysis, documentation, and technical reporting.
Advantages:
- Direct experience testing high-torque frameless BLDC motors, harmonic/planetary reducers, or humanoid joint modules.
- Experience in structural fatigue testing of aluminum alloys limbs.
- Knowledge of functional safety testing and high-voltage DC safety protocols.
- Comfortable communicating technical topics in English with international teams.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
