Mechanical Engineer, PCBA Test Infrastructure, Robotics

The role

You will lead printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) test fixtures and infrastructure for advanced robotic systems. You will design, build, and deploy precision mechanical systems for board programming, functional test, and characterization.

What you will do

• Own the mechanical architecture of PCBA test stations
• Design probe and bed-of-nails fixtures, connector-mating mechanisms, and board supports
• Use first-principles analysis and simulation to assess stiffness, forces, and tolerance stacks
• Develop locating and compliance features to protect components and preserve contact repeatability
• Partner with electrical engineers on test-point access, probe selection, and ESD provisions
• Build, assemble, instrument, and debug fixtures in the lab
• Design safe loading, pinch-point protection, and operator access
• Manage fabrication partners and component vendors
• Own fixture deployment and acceptance at contract manufacturers

Required qualifications

• Ability to independently deliver significant precision-fixture or equipment projects
• Strong 3D CAD and released-drawing capability
• Strong fundamentals in GD&T, tolerance analysis, locating schemes, stiffness, compliance, contact forces, and load paths
• Hands-on ability to work with fabrication partners, assemble and measure fixtures, and diagnose failures
• Ability to define and execute fixture acceptance checks
• Ability to communicate interfaces and tradeoffs across electrical, software, manufacturing, and operations teams

Nice to have

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Prior PCBA test-fixture experience with board nests, probe or bed-of-nails fixtures, connector mating, and protection of delicate electronic assemblies
• Experience with ESD-aware tooling, thermal interfaces, actuated fixtures, interlocks, or structural and thermal simulation
• Experience with NX, SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent tools; robotics hardware; or fixture replication and new-product builds at contract manufacturers

Before you apply

• Background checks for applicants will be administered

About the company

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity.