Senior Controls Test Engineer, Robotics

Tennant Company•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Tennant Company is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to join their robotics team. This role involves defining validation strategies for complex robotic systems, influencing product design with data, and ensuring the safety and reliability of robots in demanding customer environments. The engineer will act as the technical authority for system-level testing, collaborating with various engineering teams from concept to deployment. Success will be measured by the release of robust products on time with minimal issues and data-backed confidence.

Requirements

BS in Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
8+ years in test engineering, validation, or system verification roles.
Hands-on experience testing complex electro-mechanical and embedded systems.
Demonstrated use of DFMEA, FTA, accelerated testing, and reliability methodologies.
Proven ability to own test execution end-to-end and deliver on schedule.

Nice To Haves

MS in Engineering.
Background in robotics, automation, or industrial equipment.
Proficiency with Minitab, JMP, or similar statistical tools.
Experience with NVH, endurance, or performance testing.
Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or DFSS.
Hands-on system validation using HIL, SIL, simulation, or integrated test setups.
Programming for test systems (Python, C#, VB.NET, or similar).

Responsibilities

Lead system-level and subsystem-level test strategies for complex robotic platforms.
Translate requirements into executable test plans, DVP&R artifacts, and acceptance criteria.
Ensure strong coverage across functional, performance, stress, and reliability testing.
Partner early with design teams to ensure testability and verification readiness.
Design and execute accelerated life, endurance, and reliability testing for electro-mechanical systems.
Apply tools such as DFMEA, FTA, HALT/HASS, and failure analysis to reduce risk.
Develop test strategies that realistically predict field usage and failure modes.
Analyze data trends to drive design and process improvements.
Shape the evolution of test fixtures, automation, and infrastructure.
Improve repeatability, standardization, and clarity of test execution and reporting.
Apply statistical and reliability methodologies to increase confidence in results.
Use tools like Minitab and JMP to support reliability modeling and decisions.
Apply DOE, MSA, and structured problem-solving where appropriate.
Clearly communicate conclusions—not just results—to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Operate effectively in a matrixed engineering environment.
Participate in design reviews, failure reviews, and test readiness reviews.
Provide actionable feedback that improves robustness-to-cost tradeoffs.
Mentor and guide other test engineers in best practices and technical rigor.
Raise the bar for documentation quality, execution discipline, and test maturity.
Continuously improve test standards, tools, and processes.