Senior Robotics Engineer - Machine Integration Lead

Tennant Company•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Senior Robotics Engineer - Machine Integration Lead supports Tennant Company’s TNC Robotics Product Development and R&D organization by leading machine-level integration and technical execution across complex electromechanical systems, embedded software, controls, and partner technologies used in robotic cleaning solutions. The role translates product and system requirements into integrated, compliant, robust, and cost-effective machine solutions. It coordinates cross-functional engineering work, resolves system interface issues, leads integration and prototype events, and applies systems engineering practices throughout New Product Development (NPD). Success is measured by integrated design quality and readiness, timely technical-risk resolution, effective cross-functional execution, and achievement of program performance, cost, quality, and compliance objectives. The position leads technical planning for assigned machine systems and integration workstreams, translating program objectives into work breakdown structures with defined deliverables, interfaces, dependencies, milestones, and owners. It manages execution status and escalates risks, trade-offs, and corrective actions. The role translates customer, business, regulatory, and technical needs into system and subsystem requirements; maintains traceability through design and verification and validation (V&V); coordinates subsystem interfaces and machine-level integration; and checks integrated solutions against performance, cost, quality, serviceability, and reliability requirements. The engineer facilitates technical reviews, coordinates prototype builds, bench testing, machine integration events, and proofs of concept, and supports system-level V&V planning and DVP&R content. The role analyzes test results, leads structured troubleshooting and root-cause investigations, and drives issues to documented, verified closure. It also coordinates partner-technology interfaces and technical dependencies, evaluates risks using tools such as DFMEA and HARA, and supports applicable product safety, EMC, ESD, machinery, and robotic equipment compliance. The position provides day-to-day technical direction within assigned workstreams, builds alignment across internal functions and external partners, mentors less-experienced engineers, and maintains engineering documentation and configuration records in applicable engineering and product lifecycle systems. The role is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Systems, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
At least 5 years of engineering experience developing and integrating complex software-driven electromechanical products.
Experience coordinating cross-functional technical execution.
Demonstrated ability to convert program objectives into actionable technical plans, define deliverables and ownership, coordinate dependencies, and drive development, integration, and V&V milestones.
Proficiency in systems engineering practices, including requirements development and decomposition, system architecture, interface definition, traceability, integration, verification, and validation.
Strong understanding of interactions among mechanical systems, electrical hardware, embedded controllers, sensors, actuators, communications networks, controls, autonomy software, and cloud- or partner-connected technologies.
Proficiency applying DFMEA, HARA, DVP&R, design reviews, and structured technical risk management.
Ability to lead structured troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective action using methods such as 8D, fault-tree analysis, 5-Why analysis, and data-driven testing.
Ability to communicate technical issues, decisions, trade-offs, status, and recommendations clearly to engineering teams, program leaders, partners, and nontechnical stakeholders.
Ability to build cross-functional partnerships, influence without direct authority, resolve interface conflicts, and maintain alignment across internal teams and external technology partners.
Organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities, maintain engineering documentation, follow through on commitments, and escalate issues with clear options and recommendations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with autonomous mobile robots, industrial equipment, mobile machinery, or similarly complex products.
Experience supporting a product through multiple NPD phases, from concept and prototype integration through verification, certification, and production launch.
Experience applying product safety and machinery standards to product design and verification.
Exposure to IEC and UL requirements, EMC standards, CE-marked machinery, or Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional planning for assigned machine systems and integration workstreams.
Translate program objectives into work breakdown structures with defined deliverables, interfaces, dependencies, milestones, and owners; track execution and escalate technical risks, trade-offs, and corrective actions.
Translate customer, business, regulatory, and technical needs into system and subsystem requirements and specifications, maintaining linkage to design outputs, interfaces, and V&V activities.
Coordinate subsystem design and machine-level integration across mechanical, electrical, controls, embedded software, autonomy, communications, and partner systems.
Verify that integrated solutions meet machine performance, cost, quality, serviceability, and reliability requirements.
Plan and facilitate technical reviews covering requirements compliance, interface maturity, technical risks, design decisions, V&V readiness, and prototype and production build readiness.
Plan and coordinate prototype builds, bench testing, machine integration events, and proofs of concept; use results to identify issues and reduce technical uncertainty.
Support system-level V&V plans and DVP&R content; coordinate testing, analyze results, lead troubleshooting and root-cause investigations, and drive issues to verified closure with engineering documentation.
Coordinate partner-technology integration by defining interfaces, supporting integration and verification plans, managing dependencies, and aligning internal and external teams on requirements, deliverables, issue resolution, and decision timing.
Identify and evaluate design and integration risks using tools such as DFMEA and HARA; support compliance with applicable product safety, EMC, ESD, machinery, and robotic equipment standards.
Provide day-to-day technical direction within assigned workstreams and build alignment across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, service, and external partners.
Mentor less-experienced engineers and promote disciplined engineering practices.
Ensure requirements, interface definitions, design decisions, risks, test evidence, open issues, and integration outcomes are documented and maintained in applicable engineering and product lifecycle systems.