Senior Validation and Test Engineering Lead

Role description

You will lead validation and test engineering for high-performance gearboxes and compact actuators for humanoid robots, cobots, and wearable devices. You will be responsible for setting measurable performance and durability targets, designing test setups, assembling rigs, running prototype and pre-production campaigns, selecting appropriate measurement equipment, developing automated test procedures, creating data processing pipelines, documenting conclusions, coordinating with customers and suppliers on quality issues, identifying root causes of failures, and proposing improvements before release to production.

This position is in a startup environment. You should be ready for ambiguity, tight schedules, shifting priorities, rapid iteration, close collaboration with the CEO/CTO, and wider responsibility for both testing outcomes and decisions that affect the final product. As the company grows, you can expect rapid advancement into leadership roles.

Visa: Work authorization in the EU is preferred. Visa sponsorship will be offered only to exceptional candidates.

Equity: The position typically does not include an equity package. However, equity can be awarded to exceptional candidates or at a later stage, once you have grown into a leadership position.

Responsibilities

• Own validation for gearbox and actuator projects: test requirements, test design, prototyping, verification, and industrialization.
• Define measurable performance and durability targets and establish pass/fail criteria.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and acceptance protocols.
• Design, build, and maintain test rigs, fixtures, and measurement setups.
• Specify instrumentation and DAQ systems.

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• Perform sensor selection and calibration.
• Execute functional, environmental, life, and reliability test campaigns (torque, efficiency, backlash, vibration, thermal, endurance).
• Perform failure analysis, identify root causes, propose corrective actions, and verify improvements.
• Automate test sequences and data workflows.
• Own testing data and produce clear test reports.
• Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation to stakeholders and customers.

Main requirement

• Proven industry experience in mechanical testing, validation, or prototype testing of small gearboxes, transmissions, or compact actuators.

Other requirements

• Demonstrated ownership of test programs: examples of plans, rigs, campaigns, and corrective actions.
• Ability to operate autonomously: identify risks, propose concrete solutions, prioritise, and execute without step-by-step instructions.

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• Experience with building and maintaining test rigs.
• Experience with DAQ and measurement software (LabVIEW, NI, or similar).
• Experience with scripting for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or similar).
• Practical knowledge of sensors: torque transducers, encoders, strain gauges, thermocouples, accelerometers.
• Experience with environmental and durability methods: vibration, thermal cycling, humidity, shock, endurance/life testing.
• English fluency.

Nice to have, but not mandatory

• Hands-on mechatronics or electrical troubleshooting experience.
• Leadership or mentoring experience.

Benefits

• Meal vouchers (€10 day)
• Company car