Application Open:
Full-Time
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is seeking highly skilled and innovative Robotics Engineer with a strong focus on hands-on experience to join the Robot Learning Laboratory, a state-of-the-art core facility. This role is ideal for candidates who have a strong background in mechanical, electronics, and computer engineering, with a passion for building and deploying advanced robotic systems. With an emphasis on practical implementation complemented by research-driven innovation, this position focuses on translating cutting-edge robotics and AI research into real-world applications, robotic platforms that adapt to diverse, dynamic environments.
Key Responsibilities
Collaboration & Research Support:
- Collaborate with department heads and research centers to align project goals with institutional priorities.
- Work with the Principal Investigator (PI), multidisciplinary and cross-functional team members to coordinate research activities, milestones, and deliverables to support lab research goals.
- Communicate with faculties to collect, analysis and deconstruct customer needs, gather and analysis system requirements, prepare specifications, source and communicate ideal vendors and prototype OEMs, define solutions, define R&D roadmap schedule, fast prototyping, rapid delivery of working demonstrator, implement solutions, oversee test case execution, resolve issues.
- Assist in Embodied-AI system analysis, setup, design, development, configuration, maintenance, and optimization across various labs and testing environments.
- Support the integration and deployment of AI algorithms for training and testing Embodied-AI systems.
- Oversee the development of simulation environments for Embodied AI training.
- Monitor testing phases in industrial, agriculture, healthcare, and space-related applications.
- Support research outreach and promotion efforts in collaboration with the Research & Innovation Communication team.
Robotic Systems Design, Development & Maintenance:
- Design, develop, and integrate advanced robotic and mechatronic systems—including sensors, actuators, control systems, linkages, enclosures, and automation devices—across diverse platforms such as domestic, environmental, space, medical, and industrial robotics. Integrate mechanical systems with electronic controls and software, configure and maintain automation components, optimize system performance, and troubleshoot technical issues to ensure reliability and functionality.
- Prototype, assembly, and test hardware subsystems tailored for collaborative domestic robots, aerial/terrestrial/aquatic platforms, planetary rovers, surgical tools, and manufacturing automation systems.
- Integrate and test custom robot control code written by engineers and researchers who develop algorithms in C++/Python, upgrade/migrate/optimize code base to a variety of equipment and robotics hardware while ensuring smooth transition with minimal impact on research activities.
- Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and control engineering disciplines to ensure seamless system integration, robust field deployment, and compliance with domain-specific standards (e.g., medical safety regulations, space grade reliability).
- Ensuring that all robotic equipment and systems are properly maintained and functioning. This includes regular inspections, troubleshooting, and coordinating repairs.
Policy and Action Planning Architecture:
- Design real-time policy planners that generate smooth, anthropomorphic behaviors for humanoid robot arms.
- Develop shared teleoperation systems that blend neural commands with autonomous assistance.
- Create adaptive planning algorithms that compensate for neural signal variability and decoding errors.
- Implement safety-critical planning systems with collision avoidance and constraint enforcement.
Human-Inspired Control Systems:
- Model and mimic human neuromuscular control patterns in humanoid robotic systems.
- Develop impedance and admittance control schemes that replicate natural human arm dynamics.
- Create feedforward-feedback control architectures that handle environmental disturbances.
- Design control systems that incorporate human digital twin models for personalized behavior.
Manipulation & Grasp Planning:
- Implement advanced grasp planning algorithms for diverse object geometries and materials.
- Develop force control systems that enable delicate manipulation of fragile objects.
- Create adaptive grasping strategies that adjust to object properties and task requirements.
- Design real-time skill adaptation systems that respond to environmental changes.
Simulation & Safety Systems:
- Build high-fidelity simulation environments for policy testing and validation.
- Develop comprehensive safety algorithms including emergency stops and fail-safes.
- Create virtual training environments for patients to practice neural control.
- Implement predictive safety systems that anticipate and prevent dangerous situations.
Documentation & Knowledge Transfer:
- Document automation systems, including design specifications, architecture, integration points, operational procedures, manuals, change logs, and training materials.
- Support knowledge transfer through the development of user manuals, training sessions, and technical documentation for researchers and stakeholders.
Project Statistics & Reporting:
- Monitor and evaluate project milestones and deliverables, ensuring accurate tracking and adherence to timelines.
- Compile and present concise reports and performance dashboards for management and stakeholders, highlighting progress, risks, and outcomes.
- Generate actionable insights from project data to optimize execution, resource utilization, and overall research effectiveness.
Safety and Compliance:
- Develop preventive maintenance procedures, quality standards, identify and optimize processes for automation, enhance system performance and reliability through the latest technologies.
- Collaborate with safety and compliance teams to conduct risk assessments, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and ensure automated systems comply with safety standards/ regulations.
Academic Qualifications:
- Master degree in Robotics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Control Systems, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.
- A PhD degree will be preferred.
Professional Experience Required
Essential:
- Minimum 4 years of experience in robotics, or a related role.
- Strong experience with robotic systems, ROS, mechatronics and control systems, including design, simulation, integration, programming, assembly, troubleshooting, deployment, maintenance, safety standards and practices.
- Excel in multi-tasking, organization, communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, work ethic, and time-management to thrive under pressure with a results-driven service mindset.
- Repeated experience in robots, humanoid robots and Cobot, simulation, programming, deployment and testing with any reputed OEM like Kuka, Fanuc, ABB, Yokogawa, etc…
- Flight control systems experience, operations, communication, test automation frameworks, UAV simulators (Gazebo, AirSim), and PX4 software.
- 3D printing, 3D modeling (SolidWorks, Maya, AutoCAD, Creo, Rhino, Alias) and simulation (MATLAB, Simulink) experience.
- Hands-on experience in communication protocols like MODBUS, Profibus, ProfiNet, HART, Ethernet; IoT protocols (MQTT, AMQP, CoAP) and Azure IoT hub, AWS IoT core.
- Experience of the design and implementation of embedded systems.
- Preferred experience as Mechatronics engineers in industries: automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, consumer electronics, and healthcare.
Preferred
- Certified Mechatronics Systems Assistant (CMSA), Certified Automation Professional (CAP).
