Staff Electrical Engineer - Platform Communications

Apptronik•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond. We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better. Job Summary We are seeking a Staff Electrical Engineer to own the communications hardware architecture for our next-generation humanoid robot platforms. This role requires specialized knowledge in high-speed digital design and the implementation of robust communication protocols such as EtherCAT, Ethernet, Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), and GMSL. You will own the entire lifecycle of critical communication PCBAs and components, ensuring high-bandwidth, low-latency, and reliable data transfer across dynamic robot joints and complex system environments.

Requirements

Proven experience designing hardware for EtherCAT, Ethernet, GMSL2/3, or FPD-Link.
Deep understanding of high-speed digital design principles (impedance matching, differential signaling, stack-up design).
Experience with product lifecycle management systems such as Arena
Competent in CAD tools including Altium, or similar tools
Experience with developing and maintaining CAD design rules
Proven experience designing, prototyping, and debugging PCB/PCBAs as well as interfacing with manufacturing groups during release/build
Experience with electronics lab tools and simulation tools (ex: LTSpice, PSpice)
Excellent communication (verbal & written); will be expected to develop detailed build assembly instructions and diagrams
Excellent problem-solving and hardware debugging skills
Hands-on experience with prototyping and testing, including the use of lab equipment including high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, TDRs).

Responsibilities

Act as the technical authority for the robot's "nervous system."
Design, simulate, and implement high-performance, multi-layer mixed-signal PCBAs focused on high-speed communication interfaces.
Own the selection, integration, and validation of components for EtherCAT, Ethernet/SPE, and GMSL, etc.
Drive excellence in Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) for multi-gigabit data links.
Lead the debugging and mitigation of EMI/EMC issues specifically arising from routing high-speed signals through moving robotic joints and high-noise environments.
Design, simulate, implement, and test multi-layer mixed signal PCBAs.
Rapid prototyping of electrical systems at both system and board levels.
Generate design documentation such as schematics, block diagrams, test plans and procedures, fabrication and assembly drawings.
Execute tests for verification, validation, and benchmarking.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including technical lead, project managers, software, mechanical, thermal, systems engineers, and manufacturing.
Manage 3rd party relationships with vendors, contract manufacturers, and external design services.
Act as a mentor within the electrical engineering team, guiding junior engineers on best practices for hardware design, documentation, and troubleshooting.
Drive project execution with leadership, program management, and engineering peers.
Define component roadmaps with product managers, systems engineers, and technical leads.
Lead debugging and root cause analysis related to hardware and software defect resolution.
Align technical implementation and execution with company goals.
Drive consensus with stakeholders on critical design and compliance decisions.