Junior Electrical Engineer - HRI

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Junior Electrical Engineer to support the design and development of audio and display systems for our next-generation Apollo robot. In this role, you will focus on the practical implementation and testing of the human-robot interface (HRI) electronics. You will work closely with senior engineers to turn concept requirements into functional prototypes, ensuring high-quality visual and auditory user experiences from an electrical engineering perspective.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support the design and prototyping of HRI-specific circuitry, including LED drivers, display backlight controllers, and audio front-ends.
• Assist in the selection of components for visual displays (LCD/OLED) and audio systems (microphones, speakers) based on project specifications.
• Implement and test multi-layer mixed-signal PCBAs, focusing on signal integrity for audio and display interfaces like I2S and MIPI.
• Execute validation and test plans (DVT) for HRI subsystems, using specialized equipment to measure audio fidelity and display performance.
• Collaborate with the firmware and UX teams to troubleshoot hardware-software interactions for user feedback mechanisms (e.g., audio alerts, visual status indicators).
• Maintain detailed documentation of design changes, test results, and assembly procedures.
• Ensure designs follow established EMI/EMC best practices under the guidance of senior staff.
• Support 3rd party relationships with vendors, contract manufacturers, and external design services.
• Supports senior and staff engineers on project execution, receiving inputs of deadlines, requirements, and feedback.

SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• PCB Tools: proficiency with modern schematic capture and PCB layout tools (e.g., Altium Designer).
• Bench Testing: proficiency with common electronics testing equipment including oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators, and digital multimeters.
• Preferred: knowledge of microphones, speakers, audio amplifiers, I2S, signal conditioning and filtering, A/D and D/A converters, and digital signal processing (DSP).
• Nice to have: understanding of Thiele/Small parameters, lumped element modeling, and non-linear distortion mechanisms.
• Nice to have: exposure to simulation tools (COMSOL, LEAP, or equivalent).
• Nice to have: exposure to audio systems.
• Nice to have: exposure to adaptive filtering (LMS/RLS), array processing, and speech enhancement algorithms.
• Nice to have: familiarity with the signal processing requirements for Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) engines and wake-word systems.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• At least 3 years of industry experience in the area of audio electronics, with focus in acoustic electronics design (smart speakers, headphones, or robotics).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate