Test and Validation Engineer - Contract

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. Location: Vancouver, Canada Employment Type: Full-Time, 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract Work Arrangement: On-Site ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for a Robotics Test & Validation Engineer to join our Vancouver team on a 6-month, full-time fixed-term contract, supporting the testing, characterization, and validation of advanced robotic components and subsystems. You will work hands-on with robotic actuators, joints, mechanisms, grippers, and dexterous robotic hands, helping ensure that our hardware meets performance, reliability, and safety requirements. Working closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Embedded Software engineers, you will develop and execute test procedures, build test fixtures, analyze performance data, and contribute to continuous design improvements. This position offers the potential to transition into a permanent, full-time role based on individual performance, business needs, and future opportunities within the team. This is an exciting opportunity for an early-career or intermediate engineer to gain hands-on experience in robotics testing, actuator characterization, automated validation, and hardware development while learning from experienced robotics professionals. WHAT MAKES THIS ROLE EXCITING - Work hands-on with advanced humanoid robotic hardware, including actuators, joints, grippers, and dexterous robotic hands. - Develop and execute tests that directly influence the performance, reliability, and safety of next-generation humanoid robots. - Gain practical experience in actuator characterization, sensor calibration, motor control, and automated testing. - Build and improve custom test rigs and validation systems for complex electromechanical components. - Collaborate with a multidisciplinary robotics team spanning mechanical, electrical, controls, and embedded software. - See your testing and engineering insights directly contribute to real robotic hardware improvements. WHAT YOU’LL DO - Design, plan, and execute test procedures for robotic actuators, joints, mechanisms, grippers, and robotic hands, ensuring performance against engineering requirements. - Build, assemble, and maintain test fixtures, test rigs, and measurement setups for functional, dynamic, endurance, and reliability testing. - Perform actuator and sensor calibration, including encoders and motor control loops for current, velocity, and position, under the guidance of Controls engineers. - Support actuator and subsystem characterization, measuring parameters such as torque output, friction, inertia, backlash, stiffness, thermal behavior, efficiency, and backdrivability. - Develop and improve automated test procedures and hardware/software test setups to evaluate motor performance, force output, operating limits, and system reliability. - Conduct lifecycle, stress, thermal, endurance, and environmental testing on robotic components and subsystems. - Collect, analyze, and interpret test data, identifying performance trends, anomalies, and potential failure modes. - Prepare clear test reports, performance summaries, and validation documentation, communicating findings to engineering teams. - Work closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Embedded Software engineers to identify root causes of hardware failures and support design improvements. - Collaborate with design engineers to define testable requirements, acceptance criteria, tolerances, and performance metrics. - Support incoming quality inspections, assembly-level verification, and hardware troubleshooting. - Assist with closed-loop actuator testing, evaluating system behavior, stability, and response under different operating conditions. - Maintain organized test documentation, procedures, results, and equipment records. - Contribute to improvements in testing efficiency, automation, repeatability, and validation processes. WE’RE LOOKING FOR - 1–4 years of relevant hands-on experience in robotics testing, hardware validation, mechatronics, electromechanical systems, or a related technical field. - Bachelor's degree or technical diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. - Hands-on experience testing, troubleshooting, or validating mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical systems. - Understanding of electric motors, actuators, sensors, mechanical mechanisms, and basic control systems. - Experience working with laboratory and measurement equipment, such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, force sensors, and data acquisition systems. - Familiarity with test procedures, data collection, performance measurements, and technical reporting. - Basic understanding of motor control principles, including current, velocity, and position control. - Experience with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools for test automation, data analysis, or engineering calculations. - Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and technical documentation. - Strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and support troubleshooting activities. - Good attention to detail when performing precision measurements, calibration, and hardware testing. - Ability to collaborate effectively with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Embedded Software engineering teams. - Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D environment with evolving hardware designs and testing priorities.   WHAT WE OFFER - Enjoy a modern Vancouver office environment with complimentary daily lunches, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks. - Gain hands-on experience developing next-generation humanoid robots. - Opportunity for long-term career growth, with the potential to transition from a 6-month fixed-term contract into a permanent, full-time position. - Work directly with advanced robotic hardware and complex electromechanical systems. - Learn from a highly experienced, multidisciplinary robotics engineering team. - Contribute to real engineering projects, from prototype assembly through testing and validation. - Build valuable technical experience in a fast-paced robotics startup environment. - Join a collaborative, mission-driven team working at the forefront of humanoid robotics.