Manager, Prototype Engineering chez Bostondynamics

Job Summary

The Manager, Prototype Engineering leads a multidisciplinary engineering organization critical to the development and delivery of advanced humanoid robotic systems. This role owns the engineering elements of early-stage product realization - including Design for X (DFx), process development, manufacturability, test coverage, reliability, and serviceability - to ensure prototypes can be built quickly, repeatedly, and with exceptional quality.

The team includes Process, Manufacturing, Quality, and Test Engineering capabilities as well as hands-on technical specialists supporting prototype builds and repairs. The Manager partners with Hardware and Software Engineering, Controls, Reliability, Supply Chain, and Operations leadership to translate evolving designs into scalable, well-controlled prototype production.

You will operate with a strong R&D mindset while instilling the rigor needed to mature Atlas from concept through low-rate initial builds - simultaneously building the processes, tools, and talent that will carry the platform into future production scale.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Execution

• Lead cross-functional engineers and technicians delivering high-quality R&D and prototype builds of complex humanoid robotic systems.

• Drive DFM, DFQ, DFT, DFR maturity early in development - shortening the path from engineering concept to physical reality.

• Oversee definition and execution of prototype manufacturing, diagnostic, and acceptance test processes including test equipment strategy, automation, and traceability.

• Champion rapid issue resolution through advanced root-cause methodologies (8D, DMAIC, fault tree, FRACAS).

• Work closely with design owners to improve serviceability and maintainability, reducing turnaround time for hardware issues.

Process Development & Continuous Improvement

• Architect lightweight processes, build documentation, and release systems appropriate for fast learning cycles while preparing for future scalability.

• Define and track lightweight engineering KPIs covering build readiness, yield, cycle time, reliability growth, and repair effectiveness.

• Collaborate with Quality and Supply Chain on incoming inspection, supplier validation, and early manufacturing risk mitigation.

Team & Stakeholder Leadership

• Build a high-performing Prototype Engineering team through coaching, skills development, and clear career pathways across Manufacturing, Process, Test, and Quality disciplines.

• Act as a service provider to internal customers across R&D — ensuring Engineering, Behavior, Build, Repair, and Fleet Ops receive rapid support and technical enablement.

• Present program health, readiness status, and risk mitigations to executives and cross-functional leadership

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep expertise in high-tech electromechanical product development (robotics, aerospace, EV/automotive, industrial automation, or equivalent).

• Hands-on knowledge of manufacturing engineering, assembly workflows, torque/control strategies, and fixture/tooling development.

• Experience deploying test systems, instrumentation, and diagnostic automation across PCBA and system-level testing.

• Familiarity with quality systems including MRB, inspection methodology, CAPA, and reliability growth engineering.

• Competency with CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA) and layout design (AutoCAD or similar) for production line design and workflow optimization.

• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and risk-based decision-making.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related engineering field.

• 8+ years in manufacturing/process/test/quality engineering for complex hardware products.

• 2+ years leading engineers, technical specialists, or scalable cross-functional programs.

• Experience with NPI, DFx implementation, and early-stage production environments strongly preferred.

• Prior work in robotics, aerospace, EV, or advanced electromechanical systems is a major plus.