Staff Wire Harness Engineer
Company: Apptronik
Location: Austin
Posted on: April 3, 2026
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Job Description:
Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing
AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our
flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate
thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as
manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in
healthcare, the home, and beyond. We operate at the cutting edge of
embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack
to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a
team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the
complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass
production to change the world for the better. The Role 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.
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. Qualifications 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. *This is a
direct hire. Please, no outside Agency solicitations. Apptronik
provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and
applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and
harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion,
age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected
veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local
laws.
Keywords: Apptronik, Austin , Staff Wire Harness Engineer, Engineering , Austin, Texas
