Robotics Hardware Engineer, Solar

The AES Corporation is seeking a Robotics Hardware Engineer for its Maximo team in Arlington, VA. The role involves leading the design and development of advanced robotics systems for solar module installation. Responsibilities include mechanical design, integration with cross-functional teams, and ensuring high quality and manufacturability. Candidates should have a strong background in industrial robotics hardware design and be entrepreneurial, contributing to the technical vision of the project.
As a Robotics Hardware Engineer in the Maximo team, you will lead the development of advanced robotics systems and components. You will be a key player in the development of the whole robotics HW that enables Maximo, our solar module installation robotic system. Duties will include designing, developing, and integrating complex robotics systems and leading the technical roadmap for the robotics hardware aligned with our vision and product roadmap.

A successful candidate has a strong technical understanding of industrial robotics system hardware design, combined with experience with a 0 to 1 as well as scaling robotics products. They will be entrepreneurial, mission-driven individuals responsible for actively progressing, developing, and executing the technical vision of solar module installation robotic system. This person will be responsible for the definition, design, development, and improvement of complex mechanical systems such as robotics applications, heavy machinery, trailers, and vehicles, and ruggedized products, in close collaboration with robotics, controls and vision/AI engineers.

As one of the engineering leaders at Maximo, this position will work collaboratively across the Maximo team, external industry partners across the value chain, and AES teams, including engineering, business development, construction, finance, supply chain, and strategy.

Maximo team members believe that accelerating decarbonization requires bold action, enabling AES to perform as an industry leader today and evolve to meet future needs while advancing the market for the greater good. The Maximo team embodies AES’ thought leadership through agility, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Major Responsibilities
• Lead the mechanical design and development of advanced robotic systems, including components, subsystems, and assemblies, ensuring high quality, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Develop, design, or modify mechanical engineering layouts/schematics and/or detailed drawings/specifications of a difficult scope.
• Translate product-level requirements into subsystem/module/component technical design criteria.
• Perform detailed mechanical design and analysis, including stress analysis, tolerance analysis, and motion analysis.
• Own engineering release of subsystem design, including component and module CAD (Computer Aided Design), drawings, and BOMs (Bill of Materials).
• Develop and capture knowledge required to deliver subsystem level excellence through Design Guides, FMEA (failure mode effect analysis), DVP&R (design verification plan and report), A3s, tolerance stack-ups, and other documents.
• Derive from the Product and capability roadmaps a technical plan enabling expected performance and specifications.
• Coordinate prototype build plans to evaluate design concepts through physical lab testing.
• Apply systems safety methodologies as defined by industry standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, software engineers, and control engineers, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical components.
• Oversee the prototyping, testing, and validation of mechanical designs.
• Optimize designs for manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and performance.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in robotics and mechanical engineering to drive innovation and improve product performance.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in hardware design and development of robotic systems.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex robotic systems to market.
• Expert knowledge of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX).
• Demonstrated ability, either through previous projects, advanced education/research, and/or knowledge of the robotics field
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance (e.g., CE, FCC, UL), safety standards, risk assessment, product definition (sensors, power and electronics components)
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical skills, and troubleshooting skills.
• Skill and Behavior: Capability to work dynamically and collaboratively across multiple teams in a fast-paced and technical business environment with minimal supervision. Excellent communication skills. Results-oriented, “can-do” attitude, and “get things done” mentality; comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity; no compromise on attention to quality and details.
• Technology fluency: Demonstrated ability to understand solar engineering and technology concepts, question assumptions, and make informed product and technology decisions. Technical understanding of automation, robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and/or artificial intelligence is a plus.

Be a part of the change and join Maximo at AES!

Start Date: ASAP

Travel: 25% travel