Staff Wire Harness Engineer

Apptronik • Austin, TX

1d

About The Position

As a Staff Wire Harness Engineer, you are the principal technical authority for the "nervous system" of our humanoid platform. You don't just design harnesses; you define the interconnect architecture that enables Apollo to move, sense, and think. This role requires a rare blend of deep electrical knowledge , mechanical integration, and strategic leadership. You will own the technical roadmap for power and data distribution, ensuring our systems are not only robust but also optimized for mass production and field serviceability.

Requirements

• Experience: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in EE, ME, or Robotics with 8+ years of experience in complex electromechanical systems.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Expert-level knowledge of High-Speed Data and High-Power distribution within a single, space-constrained harness.
• Dynamic Routing: Proven track record of designing harnesses for high-cycle dynamic applications (robotics, aerospace gimbals, or automotive doors/hatches).
• E-CAD Mastery: Advanced proficiency in Zuken E3.series, Siemens Capital, or SolidWorks Electrical, including database management and automated report generation.
• Physics-Based Design: Deep understanding of EMI/EMC mitigation, shielding effectiveness, and thermal derating of conductors in bundled configurations.
• Communication: Ability to distill complex technical trade-offs into actionable recommendations for executive leadership.
• Industry Standards: Deep familiarity with IPC-WHMA-620 and related aerospace/automotive quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Interconnect Architecture: Define the top-level electrical distribution strategy for the entire robot, including grounding schemes, shielding architecture, and power/data separation protocols.
• Joint-Crossing Lifecycle Leadership: Own the technical strategy for harness routing across high-DOF joints. Develop and validate mathematical models for cable life expectancy (millions of cycles) and select materials that survive extreme dynamic environments.
• Standardization & Tooling: Establish company-wide standards for E-CAD workflows, library management, and drawing requirements. Lead the selection and implementation of enterprise-level harness design software (e.g., Zuken E3, Capital).
• Cross-Functional System Design: Act as the primary technical bridge between EE, MechE, and Manufacturing. Lead high-level trade-off analyses regarding connector density vs. serviceability and mass vs. thermal performance.
• DfX: Drive Design for Excellence (DfX) initiatives to reduce harness complexity, part count, and assembly time. Evaluate and qualify advanced techniques like overmolding, ultrasonic welding, and custom busbars.
• Root Cause & Reliability: Lead failure analysis for the most complex system-level electrical issues. Use advanced diagnostic tools and DFMEAs to identify and mitigate "hidden" failure modes in signal integrity or power transients.
• Vendor & Supply Chain Strategy: Partner with Sourcing to vet and manage strategic harness manufacturing partners, ensuring our technical requirements are met during the transition from prototype to high-volume production.
• Mentorship: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior and senior engineers, conducting deep-dive design reviews and fostering a culture of technical excellence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level