Operations Manufacturing Test Lead

Employer description

Join the team bringing advanced autonomy to the built worldAt Bedrock, we’re moving AI out of the lab and into the real world. Our team includes veterans who helped launch Waymo, scaled Segment to a $3.2B acquisition, and grew Uber Freight to $5B in revenue. Today, we’re deploying autonomous systems on heavy construction equipment across the country, improving safety on job sites and accelerating schedules on critical infrastructure projects.

We’re not here debating the future of AI. We’re deploying it in the real world. In just two years, we’ve raised $350M and achieved the first fully autonomous excavator deployments in construction.

This is where algorithms meet steel-toed boots. You’ll work alongside construction veterans and world-class engineers to solve physical-world problems that simulations can’t touch. If you’re ready to do meaningful work on hard problems, we’d love to have you join us.

Role Overview:
We are looking for a Manufacturing Test Engineer to design, build, and scale robust test systems that ensure product quality from early hardware development through high-volume manufacturing and fleet deployment.

This role sits at the intersection of hardware engineering, manufacturing, and quality—owning test strategy, infrastructure, and execution to catch design, process, workmanship, and component-level issues before products reach the field.

You will develop automated, data-driven test frameworks and diagnostic systems that enable fast bring-up, high coverage, and scalable production operations.

Key Responsibilities:1. Test Strategy & Framework Development

Define end-to-end manufacturing test strategy across EVT, DVT, PVT, and production

Develop scalable hardware test frameworks covering functional, system-level, and end-of-line testing

Architect modular test systems that can evolve from prototype builds to high-volume manufacturing

Establish test coverage goals to ensure detection of:

Design defects

Component quality issues

Manufacturing process variation

Workmanship defects

1. Test Development & Automation

Design and implement functional test systems (electrical, mechanical, system-level validation)

Develop automated test scripts and sequences using Python or similar languages

Integrate test equipment (DAQs, sensors, vision systems, robotics interfaces, etc.)

Build diagnostic tools to quickly isolate failures and reduce debug time

Enable data logging, traceability, and test result analytics

1. Work Order & Manufacturing Execution Integration

Configure and manage work orders and test flows within MES or manufacturing systems

Define test steps, pass/fail criteria, and routing logic across stations

Ensure traceability of test results to serial numbers, components, and build configurations

Partner with manufacturing teams to optimize throughput and minimize test time

1. Product & Manufacturing Line Bring-Up

Lead test bring-up for new products during EVT/DVT/PVT builds

Support factory ramp by deploying and validating test stations on production lines

Debug early build issues and rapidly iterate on test coverage and methods

Train operators and technicians on test processes and troubleshooting

1. Diagnostics & Failure Analysis

Develop structured diagnostic workflows to identify root causes of failures

Partner with hardware, firmware, and quality teams on root cause analysis (RCA)

Differentiate between design issues, supplier defects, and manufacturing errors

Implement containment actions and feed improvements back into test and design

1. Reliability & Sustaining Test

Design and execute ongoing reliability and stress testing (burn-in, environmental, lifecycle)

Monitor failure trends and adjust test strategies to catch emerging issues

Ensure alignment between validation testing and production test coverage

1. Test Coverage & Continuous Improvement

Define and track test coverage metrics and escape rates

Continuously improve test effectiveness to reduce field failures and returns

Optimize test time, cost, and efficiency without compromising quality

Drive improvements in first pass yield (FPY) through better detection and diagnostics

1. Data, Automation & Scaling

Build systems for automated data collection, analysis, and reporting

Leverage scripting and software tools to streamline test development and execution

Implement scalable solutions that support multi-line, multi-site manufacturing

Utilize advanced tools (including AI Agents/ML where applicable) for:

Anomaly detection

Failure classification

Predictive insights on test and field data

Key Requirements:Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field

5+ years of experience in manufacturing test, hardware validation, or production engineering

Experience supporting NPI builds (EVT/DVT/PVT) and scaling production ramp

Strong experience with automated test development and scripting (Python preferred)

Hands-on experience with test equipment (oscilloscopes, DAQs, power supplies, sensors, etc.)

Familiarity with MES systems, work order configuration, and manufacturing workflows

Experience with hardware-software integration and embedded systems testing

Knowledge of diagnostics, failure analysis, and reliability testing methodologies

Experience with data analysis tools (Python, SQL, or similar)

Willing to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%

Preferred Experience:Robotics, autonomous systems, or complex electromechanical products

High-volume manufacturing and contract manufacturer environments

Vision systems, calibration processes, or system-level testing

HIL/SIL testing frameworks

Problem-Solving Mindset: Ability to manage and resolve complex challenges with little to no established playbooks, using creative and proven strategic thinking to drive solutions.

Risk Management: Proven track record of identifying, managing, and mitigating risks in large, complex programs.

Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity and able to thrive in a fast-moving, constantly evolving environment.

What Success Looks Like:High test coverage with minimal field escapes

Efficient, scalable test systems that support rapid production ramp

Fast and accurate failure detection and diagnosis

Improved yield and reduced rework through better test and diagnostics

Strong alignment between design validation and manufacturing test

 Operating Style:Hands-on, detail-oriented, and highly analytical

Strong problem solver with a bias toward root cause and data-driven decisions

Comfortable working on the factory floor and in the lab

Thrives in fast-paced environments with evolving products and processes

If you thrive in dynamic environments, love solving complex challenges, and want to make an impact with cutting-edge technology, we’d love to hear from you!

Day in the life - Manufacturing Test Engineer

Morning: Data Review & Production Pulse CheckYou start by checking what happened overnight or on the previous shift:

First Pass Yield (FPY) by station

Top failure modes and pareto trends

Test station uptime and bottlenecks

Any line stops or escalations

If a failure spikes—say a communication test or sensor calibration—you flag it immediately.

Then you join a quick stand-up with manufacturing, quality, and engineering:

What’s breaking on the line right now?

Are failures real (product) or false (test issues)?

What needs immediate containment vs. deeper investigation?

You leave with a clear priority: keep the line running, but don’t let bad units escape.

 Mid-Morning: On-the-Line DebuggingYou’re on the manufacturing floor (or remote into stations), working side-by-side with technicians.

Typical scenarios:

A unit is failing functional test intermittently → you hook into logs, probe signals, and check if it’s hardware, firmware, or test script timing

A station is slowing throughput → you optimize sequence timing or parallelize steps

A new build variant isn’t flowing correctly → you adjust work order/test routing in MES

You’re constantly asking:

Is this a real defect or a test artifact?

If it’s real, is it design, component, or process-related?

How do we contain it now and detect it earlier next time?

 Midday: Test Development & IterationBack at your desk or lab bench, you shift into build mode.

You might be:

Writing Python scripts to automate a new functional test

Adding diagnostics to isolate failures faster (better logging, error codes, signal capture)

Integrating new hardware into the test system (DAQs, sensors, fixtures)

Expanding test coverage to catch a recently discovered issue

This is where you improve the system so the same issue doesn’t keep showing up on the line.

 Early Afternoon: Bring-Up & New Product SupportIf you’re in EVT/DVT/PVT or launching a new product, this block is intense.

You’re:

Bringing up new test stations for a prototype or pilot build

Debugging early design issues exposed during testing

Defining pass/fail limits where none existed before

Rapidly iterating test sequences as the product evolves

Expect ambiguity—things aren’t fully defined yet, and you’re helping shape both the test strategy and the product quality bar.

 Mid-Afternoon: Failure Analysis & Cross-Functional WorkYou sit down with hardware, firmware, and quality engineers to go deeper on key issues:

Reviewing failure logs and waveform captures

Reproducing issues in the lab

Running experiments to isolate root cause

You help answer:

Did test catch this early enough?

Should this be moved upstream (design validation vs. production test)?

What additional coverage is needed to prevent escapes?

This is where you connect test → design → manufacturing → field performance.

 Late Afternoon: Systems, Scaling & OptimizationNow you zoom out and improve the broader system:

Updating MES flows (test steps, routing, traceability)

Refining test limits to reduce false failures without letting defects pass

Improving test time to increase throughput

Building dashboards for test data visibility

You may also work on:

Reliability testing setups (burn-in, stress tests)

Automation to reduce manual intervention

Smarter failure classification (rule-based or AI-assisted)

 End of Day: Wrap-Up & PrioritizationBefore signing off, you:

Check if critical line issues are contained

Ensure test changes are deployed and documented

Align with the next shift or offshore teams

Set priorities for the next day (new tests, top failures, line risks)

 What Makes the Role UniqueYou are the gatekeeper between manufacturing and the field

You constantly balance coverage vs. speed vs. cost

You touch everything: hardware, software, fixtures, data systems, and operations

Your work directly impacts yield, reliability, and customer experience

In One SentenceYou spend your day building and refining the systems that catch problems early, diagnose them quickly, and keep production moving without compromising quality.

Bedrock Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodations

We want our hiring process to be accessible to everyone. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know so we can support you.