Robotics Hardware Engineer
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Summary
Owns end-to-end robotics hardware prototyping, integration, and bring-up at Google DeepMind's London lab — designing end-effectors and fixtures in CAD, validating actuators and sensors over buses like CAN and EtherCAT, and writing C/C++ firmware plus Python/Linux diagnostics to support daily robot data collection and AI policy evaluation.
As a Robotics Hardware Engineer in our London lab, you will own end-to-end hardware prototyping, integration, and bring-up to support daily robot data collection and AI policy evaluation. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with a multi-functional team dedicated to advancing the field of robotics through rapid hardware development and testing.Artificial intelligence will be one of humanity’s most transformative inventions. At Google DeepMind, we are a pioneering AI lab with exceptional interdisciplinary teams focused on advancing AI development to solve complex global challenges and accelerate high-quality product innovation for billions of users. We use our technologies for widespread public benefit and scientific discovery, ensuring safety and ethics are always our highest priority.
We are pushing the boundaries across multiple domains. Our global teams offer diverse learning opportunities and varied career pathways for those driven to achieve exceptional results through collective effort.
We are pushing the boundaries across multiple domains. Our global teams offer diverse learning opportunities and varied career pathways for those driven to achieve exceptional results through collective effort.
- Design, fabricate, and iterate on robotic end-effectors, teleoperation devices, sensor mounts, and test fixtures from concept CAD through benchtop validation.
- Bring up, integrate, and validate actuators (BLDC motors/drives), cameras, tactile/IMU sensors, and PCBAs across robot platforms using standard buses (CAN, EtherCAT, SPI, I2C, USB).
- Write and maintain basic microcontroller firmware (C/C++) and low-level Linux drivers, hardware interfaces, and calibration/diagnostic scripts (Python, C++) to expose new sensors and actuators to the robot stack.
- Design and build reliable wiring harnesses, quick-turn electronics packaging, and strain-relieved cable routing across articulating robotic joints.
- Troubleshoot issues across mechanical, electrical, and firmware boundaries, performing Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) to maximize lab fleet uptime and reliability (MTBF).
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
- 4 years of experience working in robotics hardware development, electromechanical prototyping, or robot systems integration.
- Experience in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Onshape, NX, or Creo) and direct prototyping (e.g., 3D printing, machining, laser cutting, or cable harnessing).
- Experience writing embedded firmware for microcontrollers (e.g., C or C++) and low-level hardware interface, driver, or diagnostic code in Python and C++ on Linux.
- Experience with debugging using lab instrumentation (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or DMMs) and embedded communication buses (e.g., CAN, EtherCAT, SPI, I2C, or USB).
Preferred qualifications:
- Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
