Hardware Lab Manager

Job Title: Hardware Lab ManagerJob DescriptionWe are seeking an experienced Robotics Lab Manager to lead the day-to-day operations, organization, safety, and technical readiness of a robotics engineering laboratory. This individual will be responsible for maintaining a highly functional lab environment that supports the development, integration, testing, troubleshooting, and validation of advanced robotic systems. The Robotics Lab Manager will work closely with mechanical, electrical, firmware, robotics, and test engineering teams to ensure robotic platforms, prototype hardware, tools, equipment, test areas, and facilities are properly maintained and available to support engineering activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation, organization, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the robotics engineering lab.
• Establish and maintain an efficient lab layout supporting robot development, prototype assembly, troubleshooting, integration, and testing.
• Coordinate the installation and configuration of workstations, test areas, safety barriers, equipment, and robotic systems.
• Develop and maintain lab procedures, equipment standards, safety practices, and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure engineering teams have access to the appropriate tools, equipment, hardware, components, and test resources.
• Maintain lab inventory, spare parts, consumables, tools, and engineering equipment.
• Identify opportunities to improve lab efficiency, equipment utilization, organization, safety, and engineering workflow.
• Maintain and support multiple robotic platforms and complex electromechanical systems.
• Perform and oversee hands-on troubleshooting, assembly, disassembly, repair, modification, and rework of robotic hardware.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and robotics engineers to diagnose system failures and resolve hardware issues.
• Support the replacement and integration of motors, actuators, sensors, mechanisms, structural components, and other robotic hardware.
• Assist engineering teams with prototype builds, hardware modifications, system integration, and engineering experiments.
• Perform root-cause investigations and help implement corrective actions for recurring hardware problems.
• Support firmware updates and configuration changes on laboratory robotic systems.
• Perform functional testing following firmware updates, hardware repairs, or engineering modifications.
• Ensure robotic platforms are properly configured, maintained, and ready for engineering development and testing.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and repair activities.
• Document equipment issues, failures, repairs, hardware changes, and maintenance activities.
• Support development and implementation of test procedures and lab operating processes.
• Review mechanical designs, drawings, assemblies, and engineering documentation related to laboratory equipment and robotic systems.
• Develop or modify fixtures, brackets, guarding, test equipment, and other mechanical hardware required to support laboratory operations.
• Utilize SolidWorks or similar CAD software to create or modify components, assemblies, and lab infrastructure.
• Apply knowledge of machining, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, injection molding, and other manufacturing processes when supporting prototype development.
• Work with engineers, machine shops, and fabrication partners to support custom hardware needs.
• Maintain a safe working environment for personnel operating and testing robotic systems.
• Coordinate appropriate guarding, safety barriers, signage, work zones, and equipment placement.
• Partner with internal safety and facilities teams to address laboratory requirements.
• Manage relationships with contractors, equipment suppliers, machine shops, and other external vendors.
• Coordinate procurement, installation, maintenance, calibration, and repair of laboratory equipment.
• Obtain quotes and coordinate purchases for equipment, tools, hardware, and laboratory improvements.
• Ensure contractors and vendors complete work in accordance with laboratory and facility requirements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years of professional experience supporting robotics, automation, R&D laboratories, prototype development, electromechanical systems, or engineering test environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing or maintaining an engineering, robotics, hardware, prototype, or test laboratory.
• Strong hands-on mechanical engineering and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Experience supporting complex mechanical and electromechanical equipment.
• Experience with prototype fabrication, hardware assembly, mechanical rework, and equipment maintenance.
• Experience interpreting engineering documentation, including mechanical drawings, 3D CAD models, assembly drawings, schematics, equipment specifications, test procedures, and manufacturing documentation.
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Knowledge of common manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, and injection molding.
• Experience coordinating with vendors, contractors, suppliers, or fabrication partners.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to independently solve technical and operational problems in an ambiguous, fast-paced engineering environment.
• Ability to work onsite five days per week in the San Jose, CA area.
• Previous experience managing a robotics, automation, prototype, hardware development, or R&D laboratory.
• Experience working directly with robotic platforms or autonomous systems.
• Experience with motors, actuators, sensors, encoders, bearings, gearboxes, mechanisms, and other robotic components.
• Experience implementing laboratory safety procedures for robotic or automated equipment.
• Experience with engineering inventory management, equipment tracking, and preventative maintenance programs.
• Experience developing laboratory SOPs, maintenance procedures, and equipment documentation.
• Experience performing or supporting firmware updates and system-level hardware testing.
• Experience designing mechanical fixtures, tooling, test equipment, guarding, or prototype equipment.
• Experience with engineering change management, configuration control, and BOM management.
• Familiarity with root-cause analysis and structured troubleshooting methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone/Ishikawa analysis, and FMEA.

Work EnvironmentThe role requires working onsite five days per week in San Jose, CA. The work environment is fast-paced and dynamic, focusing on the development and testing of advanced robotic systems. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technologies, necessitating strict adherence to safety protocols. The environment is collaborative, requiring close interaction with various engineering teams, contractors, and external vendors. The dress code is generally casual, suitable for a hands-on engineering lab setting. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Milpitas, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $145000.00 - $160000.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits

available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Milpitas, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Milpitas,CA.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.