---
title: 'Test and Validation Lead at 1X'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/test-and-validation-lead-1x-san-carlos-j0h9ja8jbcab'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-18'
---

# Test and Validation Lead at 1X

- **Company:** [1X](https://feeny.ai/companies/1x)
- **Location:** San Carlos, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-18
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/1x/37405929-1c2d-43b7-87a2-744eda63b566

## Job description

## About 1X

We’re building humanoid robots that work in any space humans exist with the mission to create an abundance of labor. Simple, but it’s not. To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, software, hardware, manufacturing and operations at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us. NEO is our flagship - a general purpose robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it, we're shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you. If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time safely creating abundance for all.

## About the Team

The Test & Validation team builds the methods, infrastructure, and data needed to understand how NEO performs in the real world. We work across Design Engineering and Reliability Engineering to validate new designs, accelerate engineering learning, and prove that critical robot systems can perform reliably over time.

## Your Charter

Lead the Test & Validation Engineering team while remaining a hands-on technical leader for the most important robot-level validation challenges. You will turn engineering objectives into robust test strategies, personally develop complete-robot tests, and establish repeatable methods for task/load characterization, durability, instrumentation, and data collection.

## Key Outcomes

- Lead and develop a high-performing Test & Validation Engineering team, setting priorities, providing technical direction, and aligning execution with program needs.
- Deliver robust validation strategies and test methods across R&D, design exploration, design validation, and lifetime reliability programs.
- Personally lead development of complete-robot validation tests, including task and load characterization, robot-level durability testing, instrumentation, controls, and data acquisition.
- Establish consistent standards for test design, execution, data collection, analysis, tracking, and technical reporting across the team.
- Ensure test results are accurate, repeatable, and actionable, giving engineering teams the data needed to make informed design and program decisions.
- Own planning and utilization of critical test equipment and lab assets, including budgeting, procurement, capacity planning, and equipment readiness.
- Provide engineering and company leadership with clear visibility into test execution, risks, roadblocks, results, and program readiness.

## Key Competencies

- Hands-on technical leader who can move between engineering strategy, detailed test development, and team leadership.
- Strong depth in test and validation of complex robotic or electromechanical systems.
- Excellent understanding of instrumentation, data acquisition, mechanical actuation, fixtures, controls, and test equipment.
- Ability to translate ambiguous engineering questions into practical, repeatable test methods that generate useful data.
- Strong technical judgment and ability to prioritize testing against rapidly changing engineering and program needs.
- Effective people leader who can coach engineers, delegate technical work, and maintain a high execution bar.
- Clear communicator who can explain complex technical results, risks, and tradeoffs to both engineers and leadership.

## Minimum Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in Test & Validation, Design Validation, Reliability Test, or a related engineering role involving complex hardware.
- Demonstrated experience leading Test and Validation Engineers through complex projects, including technical guidance, prioritization, and cross-functional execution.
- Experience developing and executing tests for robotic systems or complex electromechanical assemblies, including robot-level task/load characterization or durability testing.
- Hands-on experience with test equipment and methods including data acquisition, environmental chambers, vibration systems, HALT, mechanical actuation, and motor or drive-unit dynamometers.
- Strong experience with test planning, data collection, analysis, tracking, and technical reporting.

## Preferred Skills

- Experience leading both rapid R&D/design exploration testing and longer-duration reliability or lifetime validation programs.
- Experience establishing standardized test processes, templates, data practices, or laboratory workflows across an engineering organization.
- Experience developing complete-robot or system-level validation methods.
- Experience managing test equipment budgets, procurement, capacity planning, and utilization.
- Experience working in robotics, automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, or other complex electromechanical hardware environments.

What does a successful 1X Team Member look like? Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.

## Compensation Range

$145,000 - 177,000

## Benefits

- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
- 401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
- Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
- Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
- Onsite snacks and catered lunches

## Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

## About 1X

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: 1X develops general-purpose humanoid robots for home and industrial environments, combining AI and hardware to automate everyday tasks.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B funding stage)
- **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Bernt Øyvind Børnich

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Robotics Engineering / Artificial Intelligence
- **Target customers**: B2C (home consumers via NEO) and B2B/Enterprise (industrial tasks via EVE)
- **Mission**: Build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously, allowing humans to focus on what they love.

## Products & Services
- **NEO**: A friendly home humanoid robot designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life and handle chores. Currently in early access after the NEO Beta (2024) and NEO Gamma (2025) iterations. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
- **EVE**: A wheeled industrial humanoid deployed in factories worldwide for autonomous industrial tasks. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
- **Revo1**: A high-torque-to-weight drive servo motor inspired by human tendon actuation, used in 1X robots. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
- **1X World Model**: A physics-grounded video model that enables NEO to learn autonomously from text or voice commands. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of $169M as of mid-2026, with a $100M Series B led by EQT Ventures in January 2024. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: EQT Ventures (lead), plus other investors in secondary rounds. Acquired Kind Humanoid in January 2025. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Headcount grew 121.2% YoY to 394 employees. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
  - Full-scale production of NEO began in Hayward, CA, with capacity to build 10,000 units per year. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
  - New Palo Alto HQ consolidated teams from Sunnyvale and Moss, Norway. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
  - Appointed Mohi Khansari as Head of Robot Learning (January 2026) and Vikram Kothari as VP of Operations (August 2025). [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertical integration**: Owns manufacturing in Hayward (U.S.) and Moss (Norway), controlling the full production stack.
- **Proprietary hardware**: Revo1 servo motor offers world-leading torque-to-weight ratio, enabling flexible, low-gear-ratio robotics.
- **AI-first approach**: The 1X World Model allows robots to learn physical tasks via simulation and self-supervised video prediction, reducing need for manual programming.
- **Early home deployment**: NEO is one of the first humanoid robots entering private homes, giving 1X real-world data and feedback loops.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling NEO production and expanding early access to more households across the U.S.
- Enhancing AI capabilities through the World Model and reinforcement learning (e.g., Redwood mobility controller).
- Building a robust supply chain and service network for home robots.
- Continuing enterprise deployments of EVE while shifting emphasis to the consumer market.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on building humanoid robots that coexist with humans. Strong emphasis on AI, hardware, and real-world impact.
- **Work model**: Likely on-site for hardware and AI roles (multiple offices in Palo Alto, San Carlos, Sunnyvale, Hayward, and Moss). Some software roles may offer flexibility.
- **Notable perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics and AI, contribute to a product (NEO) that is already entering homes, and be part of a rapidly scaling company with strong funding.
- **Engineering culture**: High concentration of talent from Tesla, Apple, Google, and SpaceX. Active research in biomechanics, reinforcement learning, and simulation. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)
- **Open roles**: 65+ positions listed on the careers page across AI, hardware, software, operations, and manufacturing. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/careers)

## Sources
1. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about)
2. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/careers)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies)

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