Lab Engineer - Robotics & Automation

Title: Lab Engineer

Location: Wilmington, MA, USA/ North Reading, MA, USA / Woburn, MA, USA 

POSITION OVERVIEW

• The Lab Engineer will join the System Verification and Validation team at Amazon to own and operate the test environments that prove next-generation robotics systems are production-ready. As new test labs come online, this role focuses on maintaining high test uptime, operating specialized motion capture systems, performing hands-on robot repairs, and building the operational infrastructure for prototype testing.

DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot test environments, test fixtures, control systems (PLC/IO), and lab equipment to ensure high uptime for hardware verification and validation.
• Perform hardware rework, component testing, prototype fabrication, and robot repairs to maintain test readiness and diagnose root causes.
• Set up, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot optical motion capture systems (e.g., OptiTrack, Vicon) and integrate third-party devices like force plates.
• Manage overall lab resources, equipment, supplies, materials stocking, and station PC/webcam systems while following strict safety protocols (lockout/interlocks).
• Interpret engineering documentation including CAD drawings, electrical schematics, equipment specifications, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Author high-quality technical artifacts, including test reports, work instructions, and lessons-learned documentation to feed back into the product development cycle.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• 5+ years of experience in a technical lab, robotics, electro-mechanical, or automation environment operating, testing, and maintaining equipment.
• 5+ years of experience troubleshooting, diagnosing, and maintaining electro-mechanical systems, control systems (e.g., PLC, I/O), or lab equipment.
• 3+ years of experience completing hardware rework, repair, prototype fabrication, component testing, and executing safety protocols (lockout/tagout, interlocks).

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS

• Hands-on experience operating, calibrating, and troubleshooting optical motion capture systems (OptiTrack, Vicon) including rigid body/skeleton setup and post-processing.
• Knowledge of Python and/or C++ programming for data streaming and automation scripts.
• Experience integrating data from third-party instrumentation (force plates, gantry controls) within motion capture and tracking environments.
• Strong cross-functional technical communication skills to gather requirements and develop lab tools/processes.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• A resourceful, hands-on Lab Engineer or Electro-Mechanical Technician with deep expertise in robotics test labs and prototype environments. The ideal candidate excels at physical hardware troubleshooting, data-driven system validation, and lab operations, maintaining high rigor while working in fast-growing, multi-site development labs.