Hardware Test Engineer - Mechanics

Hardware at TRACTIAN

The Hardware team is responsible for designing and improving our IoT devices, dealing with every step of the development process, ranging from PCB design, firmware programming, case design, validations and certifications, always aiming to build trustworthy products that can be produced at a mass scale.

What will you do

 As a Hardware Test Engineer specializing in Mechanics, you will be responsible for testing and validating the mechanical reliability of our IoT devices. What does that entail? Designing and executing validation plans, simulating real-world stresses, ensuring durability and compliance, and troubleshooting mechanical failures are all part of your mission. Your end goal is to help Tractian deliver devices that are robust, reliable, and ready for the toughest industrial environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute detailed mechanical test plans, including stress, vibration, shock, drop, and thermal cycling tests.
• Simulate real-world conditions using test rigs, hydraulic actuators, and environmental chambers to evaluate product endurance.
• Use precision instruments (calipers, strain gauges, accelerometers) to collect and analyze accurate test data.
• Identify mechanical failures, perform root-cause analysis, and collaborate with design engineers to propose improvements.
• Design and implement test routines for validating mechanical robustness of electronic hardware.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of testing procedures, results, and insights.
• Ensure calibration, maintenance, and correct operation of all testing equipment.
• Stay up to date with testing methodologies, reliability engineering practices, and industry standards.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in mechanical testing, validation, and failure analysis for electronic devices.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with accelerated life testing (HALT, HASS, ALT) and environmental stress screening.
• Proficiency with vibration, shock, drop, thermal cycling, humidity, tensile/compression, and fatigue testing.
• Familiarity with CAD/CAE tools (SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, ANSYS) for designing jigs and test equipment. Structural, thermal, and dynamic simulations are a plus.
• Knowledge of materials science, fatigue behavior, and thermal–mechanical reliability of electronic devices.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and material specifications.

Bonus Points

• Experience with DFx methodologies (Design for Reliability, Test, Manufacturability).
• Background in electro-mechanical systems and material compatibility testing.
• Familiarity with international testing standards (IEC, ISO, MIL-STD, ASTM).
• Experience automating test setups with scripting languages (Python, LabVIEW, TestStand).
• Contributions to hardware R&D projects or open-source engineering communities.