Hybrid Staff System Validation Engineer

at Agility Robotics

• Job title: Staff System Validation Engineer
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Tech skills: Python
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Fremont, United States

About the role

• Staff System Validation Engineer leading end-to-end verification for humanoid robotics at a pioneering company. Owning V&V strategy and executing system-level test plans across product lifecycles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive system-level V&V strategies and test plans for fully integrated humanoid robots, partnering with Systems Engineering to translate requirements into testable validation criteria with clear pass/fail metrics and traceability
• Design and execute end-to-end system validation tests including full-body manipulation and locomotion, human-robot interaction, safety systems, environmental/operational scenarios, performance validation (speed, payload, accuracy, repeatability), and edge case/failure mode testing
• Lead functional safety verification and validation activities ensuring compliance with ISO standards, including HARA validation, safety-critical function testing, fault injection, and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) or Performance Level (PL) verification
• Develop automated test frameworks, scripts, and infrastructure (fixtures, instrumentation, data acquisition) to enable repeatable, scalable validation across the robot lifecycle
• Troubleshoot and diagnose system-level failures, leading cross-functional debug sessions across ME, EE, Software, and Controls teams to identify root causes, document failure modes, and drive issue resolution through to verification
• Prepare and present comprehensive validation reports, test results, risk assessments, and go/no-go recommendations to Product Management and executive stakeholders for product acceptance decisions
• Establish product readiness criteria, quality metrics, and test coverage tracking while driving continuous improvement of V&V processes, tools, and automation to scale with product development

Requirements

• Staff Level: 10+ years of system-level verification and validation experience in robotics, autonomous systems, automotive, aerospace, or similar complex electromechanical systems
• Proven track record leading end-to-end system validation for products that shipped to customers
• Experience with safety-critical system validation and functional safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or similar)
• Hands-on experience testing complex robotic systems, including manipulation and locomotion
• Experience in fast-paced product development environments balancing rigor with speed.
• V&V Expertise: Deep understanding of verification vs. validation, V-model processes, test design techniques, and requirements traceability
• Functional Safety V&V: Hands-on experience validating safety-critical systems, including HARA validation, safety function testing, and fault injection testing
• Robotics Fundamentals: Strong understanding of kinematics, dynamics, control systems, sensing, and actuation to effectively test robotic systems
• Test Automation: Proficiency in Python, C++, or similar languages for developing automated test frameworks
• Test Infrastructure: Experience designing test fixtures, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems
• Troubleshooting: Expert-level debugging skills across hardware-software integration issues in complex systems.
• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field (Preferred)
• Experience with humanoid robots, legged robots, or high-DOF manipulation systems (Preferred)
• Functional Safety certification (TÜV Functional Safety Engineer or similar) (Preferred)
• Experience with certification/regulatory processes for robots in industrial environments (Preferred)
• Background in Design for Test (DFT) or Design for Validation (DFV) influencing product architecture (Preferred)
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) or Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing (Preferred)
• Knowledge of statistical test design and Design of Experiments (DOE) methods (Preferred)
• Experience mentoring or leading test engineering teams (Preferred)

Benefits

• 401(k) Plan: Includes a 6% company match.
• Equity: Company stock options.
• Insurance Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, and short/long-term disability insurance for employees.
• Benefit Start Date: Eligible for benefits on your first day of employment.
• Well-Being Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Time Off:
• • Exempt Employees: Flexible, unlimited PTO and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown.
• • Non-Exempt Employees: 10 vacation days, paid sick leave, and 10 company holidays, including a winter shutdown, annually.
• On-Site Perks: Catered lunches four times a week and a variety of healthy snacks and refreshments at our Salem and Pittsburgh locations.
• Parental Leave: Generous paid parental leave programs.
• Work Environment: A culture that supports flexible work arrangements.
• Growth Opportunities: Professional development and tuition reimbursement programs.
• Relocation Assistance: Provided for eligible roles.