Senior Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer

We are looking for a talented Senior Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer to support production and NPI programs, helping to transform groundbreaking research prototypes into reliable, scalable, and highly automated systems for manufacturing and field deployment.

As a Senior Staff Manufacturing Automation Engineer at Boston Dynamics, you will help build and enhance our development plant's automated manufacturing systems that enable our growth towards predictable, high-volume production outputs. As part of the Manufacturing Engineering team, you work on introducing automation technologies to our production and NPI robots, stabilizing and ramping up production while also managing the continuous improvement of the production of our products. Every day, you will collaborate with our Product Quality, Test, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and OPM teams to define and understand blocking production problems and create and execute automated solutions to those problems. To thrive in this role, you must have experience in and be excited by fast-paced New Product Introduction environments and be highly motivated to drive efficiency and stability through cutting-edge automation. If you are looking to work amongst colleagues who are collaborative, mission-driven, values-focused, and looking to have a positive impact on the world of robotics through automation, come and join us!

Boston Dynamics is a world leader in mobile robots, tackling some of the toughest robotics challenges. For years, our awe-inspiring viral videos on YouTube have shown the world what remarkably capable robots can do. Now we are quickly becoming a recognized leader in automation solutions for industrial applications and warehouse logistics.  

How you will make an impact:

• Develop, optimize, and implement automated manufacturing processes and assembly workflows for Spot, Stretch, and future robotics projects, from prototype through production.

• Lead the selection and integration of automation technologies, including PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), industrial robotics (Fanuc, Kuka, UR), and vision systems.

• Design, fabricate, and validate custom fixtures, tools, and jigs to support mechanical assembly, precision alignment, and testing of robotics assemblies, ensuring ergonomic and repeatable processes.

• Develop and optimize data acquisition systems and SCADA solutions to monitor process health, quality metrics, and equipment effectiveness (OEE).

• Define automated assembly sequences and logic, ensuring seamless integration between hardware and software components of the manufacturing line.

• Conduct root-cause analysis on automated system failures and implement robust hardware and software countermeasures to minimize downtime.

• Implement process controls to ensure build quality, dimensional accuracy, and alignment with product performance requirements.

• Establish and champion the continuous improvement efforts, leveraging Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma to drive fundamental process improvements across the entire manufacturing system, resulting in measurable long-term gains in efficiency and yield.

• Drive tooling and equipment validation, ensuring custom fixtures and tools are fully qualified for use in production, including performing capability studies where necessary.

• Act as a technical leader and mentor within the Manufacturing Engineering team, coaching junior engineers and setting the technical bar for process development and high-impact problem resolution.

You bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree a plus.

• At least 8-10 years of experience in manufacturing automation, robotics, controls engineering, or systems integration, specifically for high-volume, precision electromechanical assemblies.

• Expert in CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar) for tool/fixture design and review of engineering drawings and strong understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)

• Expert in PLC/HMI programming, robot kinematics, and integration of sensors and actuators into complex industrial networks.

• Strong background in DFX (Design for eXcellence) with a specific focus on automated assembly and testability.

• Hands-on experience with additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, machining (e.g. Mill, Lathe) and fabrication (e.g. Welding, Grinding, Bending) techniques for developing and validating custom tooling, jigs, and fixtures to support precision mechanical assembly 

• Experience working in prototype, low-volume, or high-mix production environments, with an ability to adapt processes for evolving product designs.

• Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis methodologies to drive process improvement.

• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical and electromechanical assemblies.

• Comfortable working in cross-functional teams, balancing technical, schedule, and cost considerations in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with a proven ability to present and defend complex technical concepts to senior leadership and negotiate trade-offs with cross-functional partners.

Nice to have: 

• Experience supporting robotics development programs, particularly New Product Introduction (NPI).

• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for engineering change control and manufacturing documentation management (e.g. Arena, Enovia)

• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)/Platforms (e.g. Tulip, Delmia)

• Experience working in a research-to-product transition environment, where designs and processes evolve rapidly.

• Experience in design for mass production of multi-part products and assemblies [DFM, DFA]

• Working experience with quality processes and  systems (process control, 8D and other RCCA frameworks, etc.)

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas for this position.

The salary or hourly pay range for this position will be clearly stated in the job posting as required by Massachusetts law. The base pay range for this position is between $135,000.00– $157,000. Base pay will depend on multiple individualized factors including, but not limited to internal equity, job related knowledge, skills and experience. This range represents a good faith estimate of compensation at the time of posting.

Boston Dynamics will never ask you to divulge your personal financial or account information as part of its recruiting process.

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