Overview
Schedule
Full-time
Education
Engineering (PE)
Career level
Senior-level
Remote
On-site
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Job Description
Your Key Responsibilities
We are seeking a Senior Sensor Engineer to lead the development, selection, qualification, and continuous improvement of position, force, and torque sensing solutions for high-performance humanoid robot actuators. This role owns both internal sensor technology development and external supplier engagement, ensuring sensing systems meet the demanding requirements of precision motion control, high reliability, low latency, and compact packaging in multi-degree-of-freedom humanoid platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive the technical roadmap for position, force, and torque sensing technologies used in joint actuators (including rotary and linear configurations).
- Lead internal development of sensing solutions (magnetic, inductive, capacitive, strain-gauge/thin-film, and hybrid approaches) from concept through validation and production readiness.
- Manage external supplier selection, technical evaluation, development partnerships, and performance qualification for commercial and custom sensors.
- Define sensor requirements (accuracy, resolution, bandwidth, noise, thermal stability, EMI immunity, size, power, and interface) in close collaboration with actuator, control, and systems engineering teams.
- Oversee characterization, calibration methods, and compensation algorithms for position, force, and torque sensors under real actuator operating conditions (temperature, vibration, dynamic loading, and electromagnetic environments).
- Evaluate and mitigate sensing-related risks including drift, hysteresis, crosstalk, saturation, and long-term reliability.
- Support integration of sensor data into actuator control loops (FOC, impedance/admittance control, torque control, and state estimation).
- Conduct technical reviews of supplier designs, processes, and quality systems; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
- Generate and maintain technical specifications, test plans, validation reports, and design documentation.
- Mentor junior engineers and serve as the primary technical authority on sensing for humanoid actuator programs.
Your Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in precision sensing technologies, with significant exposure to position, force, and/or torque measurement in mechatronic or robotic systems.
- Demonstrated experience developing or qualifying sensors for high-performance motion systems (robotics, aerospace, industrial automation, or medical devices).
- Strong understanding of sensor physics and signal conditioning for magnetic, optical, capacitive, and strain-based sensing modalities.
- Experience working with external suppliers on custom or semi-custom sensor development, including technical negotiations, design reviews, and production readiness.
- Familiarity with actuator architectures (motors, harmonic/strain-wave or planetary gearing, and integrated electronics).
- Hands-on experience with sensor characterization, calibration, and environmental testing.
- Excellent technical communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional and supplier teams.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the US.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sensing in humanoid or collaborative robots, or other high-DOF systems with tight packaging constraints.
- Knowledge of torque and force sensing techniques suitable for series-elastic or quasi-direct-drive actuators.
- Familiarity with real-time control interfaces, sensor fusion, and estimation techniques (e.g., observers, Kalman filtering) used in advanced motion control.
- Experience with functional safety, reliability analysis (FMEDA, DFMEA), or automotive/aerospace quality standards.
- Prior work involving EMI/EMC considerations for sensors collocated with high-power motor drives.
Our Offering
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Life insurance and 401k eligible with up to 6% company match
- Regular employee appreciation and company events
- Please see all our benefit offerings at Schaeffler Benefits
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FAQs About Sr. Systems Engineer (Sensors - Humanoid Robotics) Jobs at Schaeffler AG
What is the work location for this position at Schaeffler AG?
This job at Schaeffler AG is located in Troy, MI, according to the details provided by the employer. Some roles may also include multiple work locations depending on the requirement.
What pay range can candidates expect for this role at Schaeffler AG?
Employer has not shared pay details for this role.
What employment applies to this position at Schaeffler AG?
Schaeffler AG lists this role as a Full-time position.
What experience level is required for this role at Schaeffler AG?
Schaeffler AG is looking for a candidate with "Senior-level" experience level.
What education level is required for this job?
The education requirement for this position is Engineering (PE). Candidates with relevant qualifications or equivalent experience may also be considered.
What benefits are offered by Schaeffler AG for this role?
Schaeffler AG offers following benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, and 401k Matching/Retirement Savings for this position. Actual benefits may vary depending on the employer's policies and employment terms.
What is the process to apply for this position at Schaeffler AG?
You can apply for this role at Schaeffler AG either through Sonara's automated application system, which helps you submit applications 10X faster with minimal effort, or by applying manually using the direct link on the job page.