Manufacturing & Quality Engineer - Amiga Platform at Bonsai Robotics – Watsonville, California

About Bonsai Robotics

Bonsai Robotics develops affordable, vision-based autonomy that makes off-road equipment smarter, safer, and more productive. We are redefining outdoor autonomy with Bonsai Intelligence, a connected platform that’s inspired by biology to see, think, and act with precision like a human. We bring together advanced perception, embodied AI, integrations with equipment manufacturers, and our compact, modular Amiga vehicles to deliver reliable automation to the world’s most demanding field operations—reducing costs and increasing operational efficiencies.

About the role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and innovative Manufacturing & Quality Engineer to join our hardware development team at Bonsai Robotics. In this role, you will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and maintaining manufacturing processes for our next-generation autonomous UGV platforms, while ensuring that all components, systems, and processes meet proper quality standards throughout the supply chain, R&D, and production phases. You will collaborate closely with engineering, quality, supply chain, and production teams to deliver robust, high-performance solutions meeting customer expectations and aligned with our business objectives.

What you'll do

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for electrical and mechanical assemblies in autonomous UGVs.
• Create and maintain work instructions, process documentation, and production line layouts to support efficient and repeatable assembly operations.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, improve quality, and increase throughput.
• Collaborate with design, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to ensure manufacturability and smooth product transitions from prototype to mass production.
• Develop, implement, and improve quality assurance processes for components and assemblies from suppliers, through R&D, and into production.
• Help evaluate and qualify suppliers to ensure compliance with Bonsai Robotics’ quality standards, reliability, and cost-effectiveness requirements.
• Help develop and execute test plans, validation protocols, and inspection procedures for prototypes and production units.
• Analyze root causes of quality issues and drive corrective actions to resolve supplier, R&D, and production problems.
• Ensure all manufacturing and quality practices comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Document lessons learned and contribute to the continuous improvement of manufacturing and quality management best practices.
• Support prototype builds, field testing, and troubleshooting of product quality and manufacturing issues, and implement corrective actions as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, production support, quality engineering, supplier quality management, or R&D validation, preferably in robotics, automotive, aerospace, or related industries.
• Technical Skills:
• • Experience with designing and optimizing assembly lines, workstations, and manufacturing cells.
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Proficiency in CAD tools (Fusion, SolidWorks) and process simulation software.
  • Experience with quality management systems (QMS), statistical process control, and root cause analysis methods.
  • Familiarity with supplier qualification, auditing, and corrective action processes.
  • Proficiency in developing and validating test plans, inspection criteria, and documentation for hardware systems.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills for both digital and analog hardware systems.
  • Understanding of quality systems, process validation, and statistical process control (SPC).
  • Understanding of regulatory standards and compliance requirements (ISO, automotive, EMC, safety).
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bonus

• • Experience scaling production from prototype to mass manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of DFM/DFA principles and experience working with contract manufacturers.
  • Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, pilot builds, validation, and field testing.
  • Experience managing projects from prototype through mass production.
  • Experience with automated test equipment and manufacturing test development.
  • Understanding of Agile or Waterfall development methodologies.
  • Experience working with autonomous vehicle platforms, robotics, or UGVs.

• This role is majority on-site in our office in Watsonville, CA.
• Some travel may be required to support deployed machines.

Bonsai Robotics is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or nationality, ancestry, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status or any other category protected by law.