Robotics Test Release Engineer

Employer description

What We Do Gecko Robotics is helping the world’s most important organizations ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of critical infrastructure. Gecko’s complete and connected solutions combine wall-climbing robots, industry-leading sensors, and an AI-powered data platform to provide customers with a unique window into the current and future health of their physical assets. This enables real-time decision making to increase the efficiency and safety of operations, promote mission readiness, and protect the environment and civilization from the effects of infrastructure failure.

Role at a GlanceThe Field Infrastructure team verifies and validates Gecko’s robotic systems (hardware/software) before they reach the field. We’re looking for a Release Engineer to execute recurring hardware and software release tests, produce reliable results, and grow into coordinating test work across engineering teams and robotic platforms.

The immediate need is hands-on test execution. You’ll prepare test setups, run mechanical and software, functional, durability, and environmental tests, analyze results, and support root cause analysis (RCA). Working with Test & Reliability engineers and Robotics Technicians, you’ll take ownership of test readiness, repeatable execution, and clear documentation against agreed objectives and acceptance criteria.

Test planning and coordination are a key part of the role’s longer-term scope. As you learn the systems and testing workflows, you’ll become a central point of coordination for incoming requests, schedules, dependencies, and execution support. This role suits someone who can run tests carefully, organize competing technical priorities, and communicate clearly with Engineering, Quality, mission teams, and Robotics Technicians.

What you will doRelease Test ExecutionExecute recurring EOL hardware/software release testing and other agreed mechanical, functional, durability, and environmental procedures on components, subassemblies, and robotic systems

Prepare test articles, fixtures, and instrumentation; verify hardware and software configurations, setup, and equipment calibration status before testing

Monitor test progress and hardware behavior; pause and escalate unsafe conditions, unexpected results, or procedure gaps before proceeding

Improve test procedures and setup documentation with Test & Reliability engineers so recurring tests become consistent, repeatable, and easier to hand off

Test Planning and CoordinationDevelop a shared view of incoming test requests with Test & Reliability engineers and mission teams, clarifying objectives, procedures, acceptance criteria, and required dates

Coordinate priorities, schedules, dependencies, equipment, and test article readiness across engineering teams; make conflicts and resource gaps visible early

Arrange execution support with technician team leads, matching available capacity and skills to the work while personally executing tests as needed

Track tests through execution, results, and follow-up actions, keeping requesters informed and improving repeatable planning and handoff processes

Test Data and AnalysisMaintain traceable records of hardware IDs, hardware and software configurations, procedure revisions, test conditions, and raw measurements

Analyze test results in spreadsheets and reports; compare measurements with agreed acceptance criteria and identify trends, anomalies, and incomplete data

Document unexpected behavior with logs, photos, measurements, and timelines, linking findings to the relevant test run and internal tracking records

Prepare clear result summaries for engineering review, including test coverage, open issues, and recommended follow-up testing to support release readiness decisions

Test ReadinessConfirm that test articles, fixtures, instrumentation, procedures, and required access are available and ready before scheduled testing

Coordinate hardware and software configurations with the responsible teams, tracking prerequisites and escalating readiness gaps

Keep the test area organized and ready for use; track equipment calibration, maintenance, and consumable needs with the responsible owners

Communicate equipment availability, dependencies, and readiness risks to engineers and Robotics Technicians so execution can stay on schedule

Root Cause Analysis SupportSupport RCA for failures found during testing or reported from the field, working with Test & Reliability engineers and Robotics Technicians

Reproduce failure symptoms through targeted tests, setup checks, inspection, and teardown when needed; distinguish observations from hypotheses

Gather failure history and technical evidence, document findings in internal tracking systems such as FRACAS/GRIT, and coordinate verification testing for corrective actions

Technologies We Usetemperature/humidity chambers

Vibrations tables

CNC

Gantries

3D printers

VFL, OTDR and fiber optic test equipment

About You Required SkillsEither Bachelors degree in Robotics engineering or related field or 5+ years experience in robotics environment designing/testing hardware and software platforms

Hands-on experience testing or troubleshooting mechanical or electromechanical hardware in a lab, manufacturing, robotics, military, or similar setting

Experience executing documented test procedures, operating measurement equipment, and collecting repeatable, trustworthy results

Ability to organize and analyze test data, check units and traceability, and communicate what the results show

Ability to understand engineering drawings, system configurations, and test procedures, and resolve missing or unclear information with the appropriate technical owner

Clear written and verbal communication, including documenting test findings and keeping multiple stakeholders informed of progress, dependencies, and blockers

Strong organization and coordination skills: you can manage competing technical requests, follow up on commitments, and keep work moving across teams

Ownership and attention to detail, with the ability to execute independently and the interest and judgment to grow into broader test planning and coordination

Preferred SkillsExperience with recurring release, regression, mechanical durability, environmental, vibration, or accelerated life testing of hardware systems

Experience setting up instrumentation, sensors, or data acquisition equipment and checking measurement quality

Experience supporting hardware RCA, reproducing failures, or applying structured problem-solving methods

Experience in robotics, defense, aerospace, or another hardware environment with strong documentation and traceability requirements

Basic scripting or programming for test data collection, plotting, or automation

Experience writing test procedures and reports and tracking work in Jira, Confluence, or similar tools

Technical project coordination or project management experience in robotics or hardware, including schedules, dependencies, and resource planning

Experience coordinating work across engineering disciplines and arranging test execution support from technicians or other technical teams

Who We AreAt Gecko, our people are our greatest investment. In addition to competitive compensation packages, we offer company equity, 401(k) matching, gender-neutral parental leave, full medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health, ongoing professional development, family planning assistance, and flexible paid time off. 

Gecko values collaboration, innovation, and partnership, and we believe we do our best work when we’re together in person. We’re an office-first culture but understand that sometimes you may need to work from home. Many people are in the office five days a week, others need a bit more flexibility. Ultimately, we care about the outcomes we achieve - and creating a culture of autonomy and trust that enables that impact.

Gecko is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  We believe it is our collective responsibility to uphold these values and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to protect today’s infrastructure and give form to tomorrow’s. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. If you are passionate about what you do and want to use your talents to support our critical mission, we’d love to hear from you.