Lab Engineer

Overview

Inabia is seeking a Lab Engineer to own and operate advanced test environments that verify and validate next-generation robotics prototypes. In this hands-on role, you will maintain, troubleshoot, and continuously improve lab infrastructure across multiple newly launched test spaces. As the team grows, you will have the opportunity to mentor new technicians and shape how the organization builds, tests, and scales robotics hardware.

Responsibilities

- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot test environments, fixtures, and lab equipment to ensure high availability and uptime for prototype development and verification and validation efforts.
- Perform robot repairs and hardware rework, diagnosing root causes and implementing corrective actions efficiently to maintain test readiness.
- Build, test, analyze, and validate robotic prototypes and subsystems using motion capture systems, test fixtures, and standard lab instrumentation.
- Deliver high-quality engineering artifacts including test reports, work instructions, and lessons-learned documents that support team knowledge and reproducibility.
- Proactively assess lab operations, identify process improvements, and lead initiatives that simplify workflows and remove bottlenecks as new lab spaces come online.
- Partner closely with hardware and software test engineers to keep verification activities on schedule.
- Help onboard and guide new technicians and associates as the lab team scales.

Key Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree or above in a STEM field, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
- 5+ years of experience in a technical lab, robotics, electro-mechanical, or automation environment operating, testing, and maintaining equipment.
- Experience troubleshooting, diagnosing, and maintaining electro-mechanical systems and control systems (e.g., PLC, I/O) or lab equipment.
- Experience completing hardware rework and repair, prototype fabrication, and/or component testing.
- Experience managing lab operations such as materials stocking, test fixture assembly and maintenance, and station PC/webcam systems.
- Experience interpreting engineering documentation including CAD drawings, schematics, equipment specifications, test procedures, and/or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Experience safely operating lab equipment in accordance with defined safety protocols (e.g., interlocks, lockout/safety devices).
- Experience managing lab resources, equipment, and supplies.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting optical motion capture systems (e.g., OptiTrack, Vicon, or similar platforms), including calibration, rigid body/skeleton setup, and data collection through post-processing.
- Experience integrating and streaming data from third-party devices (e.g., force plates) within a motion capture environment.
- Experience executing robotic tests across both hardware and software aspects, including operation of gantry control and tracking systems.
- Strong communication skills with demonstrated experience working across technical teams and management to collect requirements, evaluate alternatives, and develop processes and tools.
- Knowledge of Python and/or C++ programming.