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Actuator Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apptronik

Staff Test Engineer - Actuation

Austin, TX · On-site

Actuator Bringup & Calibration: Lead the bringup process for new actuator hardware - including firmware deployment, motor and encoder calibration, and functional verification. Develop documented ...

Rotork

Operator (Actuator Assembly)

Houston, TX · On-site

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

Assemble actuator components according to technical specifications and engineering drawings * Operate assembly equipment and tools safely and efficiently * Perform quality inspections and ...

Rotork

Operator (Actuator Assembly)

Houston, TX · On-site

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

Assemble actuator components according to technical specifications and engineering drawings * Operate assembly equipment and tools safely and efficiently * Perform quality inspections and ...

Joby Aviation

Design Engineer, Actuators

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

$121K - $206K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Detailed layout of actuator mechanical and electrical design elements * Collaboration with engineering and certification teams to incorporate best practices * Ability and willingness to 'get your ...

fng

Automation Engineer

Chicago, IL

Summary The Automation Engineer develops, edits, maintains, and troubleshoots automated actuators, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and motion-controlled programs on manufacturing equipment and ...

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Actuator Engineer information

What does an actuator engineer do?

An Actuator Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing actuators, which are devices that convert energy into motion in mechanical systems. They work on selecting appropriate actuator types (such as electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic), ensuring the devices meet technical requirements, and integrating them into larger systems. Actuator Engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize performance, reliability, and efficiency of the actuators in applications like robotics, automotive, aerospace, and industrial automation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an actuator engineer?

To thrive as an Actuator Engineer, you generally need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, with expertise in electromechanical systems and motion control. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools (such as MATLAB/Simulink), and industry certifications in automation or mechatronics is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help an actuator engineer excel in both design and troubleshooting contexts. These competencies ensure the reliable development and integration of actuators, which are critical for the performance and safety of automated systems.

What are the typical challenges actuator engineers face when integrating actuators into complex systems?

Actuator Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring compatibility between actuators and the mechanical, electrical, or control systems they interact with. Common issues include managing space constraints, meeting strict performance requirements, mitigating unwanted vibrations, and ensuring reliable communication with control units. Successful Actuator Engineers collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical designers, software developers, and system integrators, to address these challenges and optimize actuator performance within the overall system.

What is the difference between Actuator Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectActuator EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering; often certifications in control systemsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; may include certifications in CAD or project management
Work EnvironmentDesigning and testing actuators, working in R&D labs or manufacturing facilitiesDesigning mechanical systems, working in design offices, manufacturing plants, or field sites
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, robotics, industrial automationAutomotive, aerospace, manufacturing, product design

While both roles involve engineering principles, Actuator Engineers focus specifically on designing and developing actuators used in automation and robotics, whereas Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, working on various mechanical systems and components across industries.

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Actuator Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Actuator Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

Staff Test Engineer - Actuation

Apptronik

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond.
We operate at the cutting edge of Applied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better.
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a Staff Test Engineer - Actuation to own the design validation and NPI test process for Apptronik's custom actuator systems. This is a hands-on, multi-disciplinary role spanning mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software testing - requiring someone who can independently drive actuator characterization and validation from initial bringup through design verification, and build the test methods and automation that transfer to test ops as programs move into production.
You will design and execute actuator test campaigns, develop robust bringup and calibration workflows, diagnose hardware issues across the full electromechanical stack, and deliver validated, well-documented test processes that are ready for handoff. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls engineers - connecting test data to root-cause analysis and hardware design improvements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Actuator Bringup & Calibration: Lead the bringup process for new actuator hardware - including firmware deployment, motor and encoder calibration, and functional verification. Develop documented, repeatable procedures that can be transferred to test ops for production use.
  • Design Validation Testing: Plan and execute design validation campaigns to characterize actuator performance across the operating envelope. Tests span mechanical (e.g., efficiency, stiffness, backlash, life), electrical (e.g., peak current, thermal limits, drive performance), and system-level (e.g., positional accuracy, off-axis loading, effort production) domains.
  • Test Method Development for Production: Design and validate the production test methods used during NPI - including test scripts, post-processing, pass/fail criteria, and operator documentation - then hand off to the test ops team with the tooling and training needed to run them at scale.
  • Test Automation & Data Infrastructure: Build Python-based test automation, data pipelines, and analysis tools that enable repeatable, scalable validation across multiple actuator types and hardware revisions.
  • Test Equipment Operation: Operate and configure dynamometer, benchtop, and custom test setups. Manage fixture configurations and load motor modes across different actuator and gearbox variants.
  • Cross-Stack Root-Cause Analysis: Diagnose actuator performance issues spanning firmware, electrical, and mechanical domains using structured, data-driven reasoning. Provide clear, actionable feedback to design teams.
  • System Identification: Apply system identification techniques to characterize actuator dynamics - including inertia, friction, bandwidth, and torque constant - providing data that supports both hardware validation and simulation fidelity.
  • Collaboration & Reporting: Work closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls engineers. Communicate test results, failure modes, and recommendations clearly to engineering and program leadership.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS
Required Qualifications
  • Direct hands-on experience testing and characterizing actuators, motors, or gearboxes - including operation of dynamometer or motor test stand systems.
  • Experience with motor bringup and calibration workflows, with enough firmware and electrical fluency to diagnose calibration and drive faults independently.
  • Strong cross-disciplinary debugging ability across mechanical, electrical, and firmware domains.
  • Proficiency writing production-grade Python for test automation, data analysis, and post-processing.
  • Demonstrated experience designing test methods and procedures - including pass/fail criteria and handoff documentation - not just executing pre-written scripts.
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and motor datasheets.
  • Experience working in multi-disciplinary hardware teams with fast iteration cycles.
  • Comfortable operating at staff level: leading technical workstreams, influencing engineering decisions with data, and mentoring others.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with humanoid or legged robot actuator systems.
  • Familiarity with thermal modeling and thermal test methods for electric motor systems.
  • Knowledge of motor drive electronics, power electronics, and power stage design margins.
  • System identification background: frequency-domain analysis, bandwidth measurement, and dynamic model extraction.
  • Experience transitioning test methods from R&D into production or manufacturing environments.
  • Simulation experience (MuJoCo, Isaac Sim/Lab, etc.) and sim-to-real validation workflows.
  • Docker, scripting, or infrastructure tooling for test automation at scale.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
  • BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field + 6 years of relevant experience, OR
  • MS in related field + 4 years of relevant experience, OR
  • PhD in related field + 2 years of relevant experience.

Candidates with non-traditional backgrounds who can demonstrate equivalent hands-on experience with actuator testing and robotic hardware bringup are strongly encouraged to apply.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
  • Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
  • Hearing and speech to communicate.

*This is a direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations.
Apptronik provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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