Senior Controls Test Engineer, Robotics

With more than $1B in revenue, Tennant Company is a globally recognized leader in the cleaning equipment industry. For the past 150 years, we have been passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. At Tennant Company, we are committed to stewardship and creating a cleaner, safer and healthier world. With manufacturing, operations and sales, service, and support functions across the globe, your journey at Tennant can take you places you never expected.

Tennant Company is advancing the next generation of autonomous and robotic industrial equipment, and we’re looking for a Senior Test Engineer who thrives at the intersection of system complexity, engineering rigor, and real‑world reliability.

In this role, you won’t just execute tests—you’ll define how complex robotic systems are validated, influence product design through data, and ensure our robots perform safely and reliably in demanding customer environments. You’ll serve as the technical authority for system‑level testing, working closely with Systems, Software, Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Quality teams from concept through deployment.

Success is measured not in test reports alone—but in robust products released on time, with fewer escapes, clearer insights, and confidence backed by data.

What You’ll Own

System Test Strategy & Verification

• Lead system‑level and subsystem‑level test strategies for complex robotic platforms.
• Translate requirements into executable test plans, DVP&R artifacts, and acceptance criteria.
• Ensure strong coverage across functional, performance, stress, and reliability testing.
• Partner early with design teams to ensure testability and verification readiness.

Reliability & Accelerated Testing

• Design and execute accelerated life, endurance, and reliability testing for electro‑mechanical systems.
• Apply tools such as DFMEA, FTA, HALT/HASS, and failure analysis to reduce risk.
• Develop test strategies that realistically predict field usage and failure modes.
• Analyze data trends to drive design and process improvements.

Test Infrastructure & Methods

• Shape the evolution of test fixtures, automation, and infrastructure.
• Improve repeatability, standardization, and clarity of test execution and reporting.
• Apply statistical and reliability methodologies to increase confidence in results.

Data‑Driven Engineering

• Use tools like Minitab and JMP to support reliability modeling and decisions.
• Apply DOE, MSA, and structured problem‑solving where appropriate.
• Clearly communicate conclusions—not just results—to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Cross‑Functional Influence

• Operate effectively in a matrixed engineering environment.
• Participate in design reviews, failure reviews, and test readiness reviews.
• Provide actionable feedback that improves robustness‑to‑cost tradeoffs.

Technical Leadership

• Mentor and guide other test engineers in best practices and technical rigor.
• Raise the bar for documentation quality, execution discipline, and test maturity.
• Continuously improve test standards, tools, and processes.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• BS in Engineering from an ABET‑accredited institution.
• 8+ years in test engineering, validation, or system verification roles.
• Hands‑on experience testing complex electro‑mechanical and embedded systems.
• Demonstrated use of DFMEA, FTA, accelerated testing, and reliability methodologies.
• Proven ability to own test execution end‑to‑end and deliver on schedule.

Preferred Experience

• MS in Engineering.
• Background in robotics, automation, or industrial equipment.
• Proficiency with Minitab, JMP, or similar statistical tools.
• Experience with NVH, endurance, or performance testing.
• Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or DFSS.
• Hands‑on system validation using HIL, SIL, simulation, or integrated test setups.
• Programming for test systems (Python, C#, VB.NET, or similar).

What Sets You Apart

• You think in systems, not silos.
• You value execution and evidence, not assumptions.
• You use data to influence design decisions early.
• You’re comfortable being the technical voice of test rigor.
• You elevate teams through mentorship and example.
• You communicate clearly—with engineers, leaders, and manufacturing partners alike.

Why Tennant Robotics?

At Tennant, you’ll work on real products deployed in real environments, solving meaningful problems in autonomy, reliability, and system performance. You’ll have influence, technical ownership, and the opportunity to shape how robotic systems are validated from the ground up.

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $92,000 - 137,900.

Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. Tennant Co. reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualifications of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity. Total Compensation = Base Salary + Benefits

Benefits = A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), disability, life insurance, paid time off, and voluntary benefits!

Begin your journey with us. Let's reinvent how the world cleans. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tennant Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skill, ability, reliability, productivity, and other factors important to performance. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.