Mechatronics & Integration Engineer II

Nextpower, USA•Folsom, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

About Nextpower Nextpower is a global leader in intelligent solar tracker and software solutions, optimizing solar power plant performance worldwide. Within Nextpower, the Robotics and Autonomy team develops and deploys intelligent robotic systems operating in live solar environments. These systems combine mobility, perception, embedded compute, autonomy algorithms, and cloud intelligence to increase inspection capacity, improve safety, and scale operations. We are seeking a Mechatronics & Integration Engineer to accelerate robotics development through rapid prototyping, system integration, testing, debugging, and deployment. This role sits at the intersection of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software, and robotics. You will work directly on robots, prototypes, engineering test systems, and field deployments, helping transform concepts into reliable, working systems. This role is based in Folsom, California and requires regular hands-on work with robotic systems. Role Overview We move quickly and build real systems. This role is focused on turning ideas into working robots. You will work across mechanical, electrical, software, and robotics domains to rapidly prototype, integrate, test, and deploy new capabilities onto robotic platforms. The objective is not to design perfect systems on paper. The objective is to get them working quickly, learn from real-world testing, and iterate. This is a hands-on engineering role. We need someone who can CAD a bracket in the morning, solder a board after lunch, write a Python script to test it, SSH into the robot, debug logs, and have a prototype running by Friday. If that sounds exciting, you'll probably enjoy this role. You will work closely with autonomy engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, technicians, and contractors to help accelerate development and improve overall team velocity. Core areas of responsibility include: Building and integrating robotic hardware systems Developing prototypes, fixtures, mounts, and test equipment Integrating sensors, firmware, software, and electrical systems Debugging issues across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software boundaries Supporting testing, deployment, and continuous improvement of robotic platforms Key Responsibilities Prototyping and Mechanical Design Design and iterate mechanical components using CAD and 3D printing Build and modify prototypes, fixtures, brackets, sensor mounts, cable routing, and engineering test systems Create manufacturing drawings and documentation as needed Support rapid iteration of concepts from prototype through deployment Work with internal and external fabrication resources to build and improve robotic systems Mechatronics and Electrical Integration Integrate sensors, actuators, controllers, embedded systems, and supporting electronics Perform soldering, wiring, connector assembly, electrical rework, and hardware bring-up Debug electrical, communication, firmware, and integration issues Support firmware validation and hardware verification activities Develop and execute electrical and system-level validation procedures Characterize and troubleshoot sensor, power, and communication issues Robotics Software and System Integration Develop scripts and utilities using Python, Bash, or similar tools Configure, deploy, and debug software on Linux-based robotic platforms Collect logs, analyze system behavior, and support root cause analysis Support sensor integration, calibration, data collection, and system characterization activities Collaborate with software and autonomy engineers to integrate and validate new capabilities Support software deployment, testing, and release validation activities Testing, Validation, and Deployment Develop and execute engineering test plans and validation procedures Build and maintain engineering test setups and development platforms Collect data, analyze results, and make data-driven engineering recommendations Perform structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis Support field testing, deployment, and operational validation activities Identify recurring failure modes and help implement long-term improvements

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related field
2+ years of experience developing, integrating, testing, or deploying robotic or mechatronic systems in real-world environments
Strong hands-on mechanical assembly experience including CAD, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing
Experience soldering, wiring, troubleshooting, and reworking electrical systems, including small electronic components, connectors, and signal wiring
Experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, or firmware development
Strong experience with Python and Linux command-line environments
Experience using Git, Docker, and modern software development workflows
Experience using AI-assisted and agentic engineering tools to accelerate development, debugging, testing, and documentation while maintaining strong hands-on technical capability
Experience debugging integrated hardware, firmware, electrical, and software systems
Experience with robotics sensors such as cameras, GPS, IMUs, LiDAR, or similar systems
Working knowledge of coordinate transforms, sensor calibration, and system integration fundamentals
Experience collecting data, executing engineering tests, and making data-driven engineering decisions
Experience writing and executing engineering test plans and validation procedures
Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills
Comfortable working directly with physical robotic systems
Coachable and able to operate effectively within a fast-moving, collaborative engineering team

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with ROS or ROS2
Experience with mobile robotic platforms such as unmanned ground vehicles or drones
Experience supporting autonomy, perception, controls, or navigation systems
Experience with test automation and engineering validation workflows
Experience working with outdoor robotic systems
Experience supporting field deployments and customer-facing installations
Familiarity with manufacturing automation or industrial robotics

Responsibilities

Design and iterate mechanical components using CAD and 3D printing
Build and modify prototypes, fixtures, brackets, sensor mounts, cable routing, and engineering test systems
Create manufacturing drawings and documentation as needed
Support rapid iteration of concepts from prototype through deployment
Work with internal and external fabrication resources to build and improve robotic systems
Integrate sensors, actuators, controllers, embedded systems, and supporting electronics
Perform soldering, wiring, connector assembly, electrical rework, and hardware bring-up
Debug electrical, communication, firmware, and integration issues
Support firmware validation and hardware verification activities
Develop and execute electrical and system-level validation procedures
Characterize and troubleshoot sensor, power, and communication issues
Develop scripts and utilities using Python, Bash, or similar tools
Configure, deploy, and debug software on Linux-based robotic platforms
Collect logs, analyze system behavior, and support root cause analysis
Support sensor integration, calibration, data collection, and system characterization activities
Collaborate with software and autonomy engineers to integrate and validate new capabilities
Support software deployment, testing, and release validation activities
Develop and execute engineering test plans and validation procedures
Build and maintain engineering test setups and development platforms
Collect data, analyze results, and make data-driven engineering recommendations
Perform structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis
Support field testing, deployment, and operational validation activities
Identify recurring failure modes and help implement long-term improvements