Senior Prototype Engineer
Humanoid · Vancouver
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 - our rapidly developed humanoid platform being deployed in real industrial environments - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
About the Role
We are looking for a Senior Prototype Engineer to drive the development, assembly, integration, and validation of advanced humanoid robotic systems, with a particular focus on robotic hands, arms, end-effectors, and complex electromechanical mechanisms.
This role combines deep hands-on engineering expertise with proven technical leadership and team management experience. You will take ownership of complex prototype development activities, guide engineering execution, and work closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Embedded Software, and Controls teams to transform innovative designs into reliable, high-performance robotic systems.
We are looking for someone who has successfully led and developed technical teams, established efficient prototyping processes, and delivered complex hardware projects in fast-moving engineering environments.
As our Vancouver robotics operations continue to grow, this position offers the opportunity to progress into a broader technical leadership role, helping shape our prototyping capabilities, engineering standards, and team development.
Your work will directly influence the technical quality, development speed, and scalability of Humanoid's next-generation robotic platforms.
What Makes This Role Exciting
Take ownership of complex humanoid robot prototyping, including dexterous hands, arms, actuators, and advanced electromechanical assemblies.
Combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership, guiding complex prototype development from concept through validation.
Apply your previous team management and mentoring experience to strengthen engineering execution and build effective prototyping practices.
Solve challenging problems in robotic manipulation, precision actuation, sensor integration, and hardware-software interaction.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary robotics team spanning mechanical, electrical, embedded software, and controls.
Play a key role in scaling Humanoid's prototyping capabilities, with potential to grow into a broader team leadership position.
What You’ll Do
Lead the development, assembly, integration, and commissioning of complex robotic prototypes, including hands, arms, end-effectors, actuators, sensors, and electromechanical subsystems.
Take ownership of prototype development from initial build through calibration, testing, debugging, validation, and design iteration.
Provide technical leadership and direction to engineers and technicians, helping establish priorities, resolve engineering challenges, and maintain execution quality.
Apply previous team management experience to mentor technical team members, develop capabilities, and establish effective engineering workflows.
Coordinate prototype development activities, ensuring clear technical priorities, efficient resource allocation, and alignment with engineering milestones.
Drive advanced hardware troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and failure investigation across mechanical, electrical, and embedded systems.
Oversee the integration, calibration, and performance optimization of actuators, encoders, force/torque sensors, tactile sensors, and robotic control interfaces.
Partner with Mechanical, Electrical, Embedded Software, and Controls teams to identify design limitations, integration risks, and opportunities for performance improvement.
Lead and contribute to technical design reviews, providing practical engineering feedback on assembly, reliability, serviceability, and manufacturability.
Establish and improve prototype assembly procedures, integration workflows, testing methodologies, and validation standards.
Drive rapid prototyping and engineering iteration, ensuring timely resolution of technical blockers and efficient development cycles.
Support system-level testing, performance characterization, reliability assessments, and prototype-to-production transitions.
Develop and maintain technical documentation, including assembly instructions, test procedures, troubleshooting guides, SOPs, and engineering reports.
Collaborate with engineering and program leadership to plan prototype builds, track technical progress, manage risks, and communicate development priorities.
Work closely with teams across Vancouver, London, and Boston, supporting cross-site integration and technical collaboration.
Promote a safe, organized, and efficient prototyping environment, maintaining appropriate tools, equipment, and engineering practices.
We’re Looking For
10+ years of professional experience in robotics prototyping, mechatronics, electromechanical integration, or advanced robotic hardware development.
5+ years of proven track record directing technician groups within a dynamic research and development setting.
Demonstrated experience mentoring, developing, and coordinating technical team members, with the ability to establish priorities and drive engineering execution.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical engineering experience.
Strong hands-on experience building, integrating, testing, and troubleshooting complex robotic or electromechanical systems.
Proven track record of taking complex hardware prototypes from concept through integration, commissioning, validation, and delivery.
Deep understanding of precision mechanical assemblies, actuators, motors, sensors, wiring, and embedded hardware interfaces.
Experience with fine-pitch soldering, precision wiring, cable assemblies, connectors, and electrical integration.
Strong knowledge of actuator commissioning, sensor calibration, motor control interfaces, and robotic system testing.
Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation.
Experience using laboratory and diagnostic equipment, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and precision measurement instruments.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and engineering problem-solving activities.
Experience establishing or improving prototype assembly, integration, testing, and validation processes.
Strong project coordination skills, including technical planning, resource prioritization, risk management, and cross-functional execution.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams, technical leadership, and program stakeholders.
Ability to balance hands-on technical involvement with broader engineering leadership responsibilities in a fast-paced R&D environment.
Bonus Qualifications
Experience developing humanoid robots, dexterous robotic hands, robotic arms, or advanced manipulation systems.
Previous experience building, scaling, or managing a robotics prototyping, integration, or hardware development team.
Experience with multi-DoF robotic mechanisms, precision actuators, transmissions, and complex joint assemblies.
Experience with tactile sensors, force/torque sensors, encoders, IMUs, and robotic sensing technologies.
Knowledge of motor control systems, drive tuning, actuator performance analysis, EtherCAT, or CAN communication protocols.
Experience with rapid prototyping and fabrication, including FDM/SLA 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser cutting.
Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar CAD tools and the ability to perform mechanical design modifications.
Experience using Python, ROS/ROS2, or other tools for robotic hardware testing, calibration, or automation.
Experience developing automated test setups, hardware validation infrastructure, or data acquisition systems.
Experience supporting hardware NPI, prototype-to-production transitions, or low-volume robotic manufacturing.
Background in robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, automotive, or advanced hardware startups.
What We Offer
Comprehensive extended health benefits starting on your first day, including fully paid medical and dental, virtual care, employee and family assistance, and worldwide emergency medical support.
Meaningful time off to rest and recharge: 23 days of annual leave (accrued), 15 days of paid sick leave, and paid company holidays.
Paid end-of-year shutdown: annual company-wide holiday closure spanning Christmas through New Year’s Day.
Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
Free daily catered lunch, snacks, and drinks in‑office.
Collaboration with top‑tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in AI and robotics.
Freedom to influence the product and own key initiatives.
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