Mechatronics Engineer
Job description
ICON is looking for a Mechatronics Engineer to join our Robotics team in Austin, TX. You will work at the intersection of mechanical systems, electronics, and software to design, integrate, and validate the electromechanical systems that drive ICON's large-scale robotic systems. This role is embedded within a multidisciplinary robotics team and requires someone who understands how hardware and software must work together to produce reliable, precision motion. This role is based at ICON's Austin, TX headquarters and will report to the Director of Robotics.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, integrate, and validate electromechanical systems for large-scale robotics applications.
- Configure, tune, and commission servo drives, motors, encoders, and associated motion hardware within an EtherCAT-based control architecture.
- Develop and maintain low-level embedded software for motion control, I/O management, and hardware interfacing in C/C++ or equivalent real-time environments.
- Translate motion requirements into drive configurations, tuning parameters, and electrical specifications.
- Support the design and layout of electrical panels, cable assemblies, and interface hardware in close coordination with the mechanical and electrical teams.
- Develop and execute hardware integration and acceptance test procedures across robotic subsystems.
- Contribute to simulation environments by providing accurate actuator and drive models that reflect physical hardware behavior.
- Participate in design and code reviews to maintain consistency and quality across hardware and software deliverables.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- B.S. in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- 3+ years of professional experience in mechatronics or electromechanical systems.
- Hands-on experience configuring and commissioning servo drives, encoders, and motion hardware in a multi-axis robotic or industrial automation context.
- Working knowledge of EtherCAT or a comparable industrial fieldbus protocol (CANopen, Profinet, EtherNet/IP).
- Practical embedded or real-time programming experience in C or C++, applied to motion control or hardware interfacing.
- Ability to read and produce electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
- Experience supporting hardware/software integration and participating in structured validation testing.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Direct experience with the Beckhoff/EtherCAT ecosystem — TwinCAT, acontis EtherCAT master, or equivalent.
- Experience with robotic arm kinematics at a systems level — sufficient to understand how drive behavior and mechanical design affect motion quality.
- Familiarity with real-time operating environments or embedded Linux in a controls context.
- Exposure to functional safety standards relevant to robotic systems (IEC 62061, ISO 13849, or equivalent).
- Experience contributing to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or simulation environments.
- Familiarity with sensor integration — IMUs, force/torque sensors, encoders — and basic state estimation concepts.
- Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of performance.
ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).
Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit candidates through this application. ICON does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency submissions for candidates and will not pay fees to any third-party agency without a prior agreement with ICON.
As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes.