Co-op: Test Engineer

Test Engineer (Interdisciplinary)-

This position requires both software experience and good mechanical intuition. Please highlight experience with Python, Matlab, SQL or other programming languages in your resume. Also, highlight any mechanical projects you have worked on.

This student needs a passion for experiments and data processing. Their core responsibility is the testing of our products both new and standard under our lead test engineer. This includes preparing samples, running experiments on our robotic test stands and processing the data gathered in these experiments. The Test Engineer Co-op will modify existing test protocols and write brand new test scripts to evaluate the performance characteristics of our clutch and brake products. Critically, this student will be expected to analyze and interpret test results in context , distilling insights and communicating test result implications for product design, materials selection, test stand mechanics, and quality assurance. This means that the Test Engineer Co-op should also demonstrate excellent electromechanical intuition – understanding not just how to report data, but also how the mechanical hardware, electronics hardware, and software interact to produce that data. In this uniquely multidisciplinary role, the student will contribute to ESTAT’s success by helping the team make well-informed and data-driven decisions on a daily basis. This co-op provides excellent experience for a student looking to work in robotics as each of our test stands is an automated one DOF robotic system.

Skills that will be utilized and developed during this co-op : Physical testing, scientific experimentation, Matlab, Python, SQL, creative problem solving, sensor calibration, PID control, statistical analysis, documentation, presentation skills and more.

ESTAT has a preference for Juniors and Seniors, but can consider lower classman with exceptional hands on experience. No one comes to ESTAT with experience in electroadhesives. It takes time to learn and become independent. ESTAT has a strong preference for students who are considering two 6 month rotations as this is the best way to ensure they can make lasting contributions.

FAQ

What does a day at ESTAT look like?

It is easier to talk about what a week looks like. Every Monday, leadership agrees on priorities for the week and discusses upcoming milestones with the team. Each team member loads up their schedule for the week with the tasks needed to meet those milestones and discusses the support they need from other team mates. We hold Scrum where we all get on the same page on what is happening this week, take feedback, and make adjustments. The rest of the week is execution. Wednesdays are typically one-on-one meetings with managers where we discuss 1) progress towards weekly goals 2) present progress metrics 3) Discuss roadblocks 4) review the schedule for major projects that span more than a week. On Friday we have a quick team touch base where we all state what critical items need to be completed to stay on schedule and enjoy the weekend without worry.

Throughout the week you may: test the newest electroadhesive clutch, perform quality control, assist with patent drafting, machine parts in our machine shop, perform statistical analysis, program a robotic test stand, perform test-to-failure, perform failure analysis, document test findings, document procedures, visit a supplier’s factory, draft CAD models, perform FEA, represent the company at a major conference, or sometimes even visit an Air Force Base for acceleration sled testing (January 2025).

What does ESTAT look for in co-op students?

We believe our heart is in our work and passion is in the details. We look for self motivated students who love making things happen. We look for students with experience working with a team towards a goal who can share stories of trial and error, failure and victory. Working on the cutting edge also requires a good bit of technical know how. We expect our students to have mastered the basics of their field and be ready to learn more on the job. We have three company mantras: 1) we tell it as it is, not as we wish it to be 2) we let the data do the talking and drive our decisions with facts 3) we give credit and share blame. We look for these behaviors in all of our staff.

What kind of company is ESTAT?

ESTAT is a university startup that spun out of Carnegie Mellon right here in Pittsburgh. We have translated basic research on electro adhesives into useful robotics components such as clutches, brakes, locks and latches that are 10x lighter, 10x more compact and 1000x more efficient than traditional options. Our products promise to redefine what is possible in robotic design. We are at our hockey stick moment. This is an extremely exciting time for us as a company as we have been offering off-the-shelf products for sale for over a year and have recently started making sales in large enough volumes to allow us to transition some of our manufacturing to a roll-to-roll process. We are also coming up on a big round of venture capital fundraising that will enable us to transition from startup to growth company. At ESTAT we sell: The world's only electradhesive robotic brakes clutches, locks and latches. We have a catalog of electroadhesive clutches and brakes. We design and produce custom clutches and brakes, and we offer R&D services for large companies and the government. We move at a fast pace as sales ramp up and innovation continues.