(Volunteer) Test Engineer – Prosthetic Devices

Job summary

Review and improve mechanical verification plans, then design and build test benches and fixtures for functional, force, durability, cyclic, and environmental testing of a body-powered prosthetic hand. Develop traceable test procedures, define instrumentation and acceptance criteria, analyze results and failure modes, and ensure documentation aligns with applicable standards.

Job details

Organization: Universal Limbs Location: Remote – Worldwide (Open to applicants globally) Experience: 4+ years Team: R&D / Test & Verification About the Role Universal Limbs is a nonprofit developing accessible upper-limb prosthetic solutions. We are seeking an experienced Test & Verification Engineer to review and strengthen our Prosthetic Arm MVP Test Plan and support the development of physical test benches for a body-powered, 3D-printed transradial prosthetic hand. Responsibilities * Review and validate mechanical verification/test plans and identify gaps in methods, loads, acceptance criteria, and evidence. * Design and build test benches, fixtures, and jigs for functional, force, durability, cyclic, and environmental testing. * Translate design requirements into traceable and repeatable verification procedures. * Define instrumentation, loading conditions, measurements, data collection, and acceptance criteria. * Support testing of pinch force, object retention, actuation/release, structural durability, cyclic wear, attachments, and silicone-glove performance. * Analyze test results, failure modes, and experimental uncertainty. * Ensure test methods and documentation align with applicable ISO and/or recognized regulatory/industry standards. Required Qualifications * 4+ years of hands-on mechanical testing, verification/validation, or experimental engineering experience. * Demonstrated experience personally designing and building physical test benches and fixtures. * Experience with mechanical test instrumentation such as load cells, force gauges, displacement sensors, or cyclic test equipment. * Demonstrated experience developing verification procedures from engineering requirements. * Practical experience applying ISO standards and/or requirements from a recognized regulatory framework to product verification and testing. * Strong understanding of repeatability, measurement uncertainty, acceptance criteria, traceability, and technical documentation. * Degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience. Preferred Qualifications * Upper-limb prosthetics, orthotics, rehabilitation, or assistive-device testing experience. * Medical-device verification and validation experience. * Familiarity with prosthetics-related standards, including ISO 22523, and other applicable mechanical/medical-device standards. * Experience testing 3D-printed polymers, silicone/elastomers, and body-powered mechanisms. When Applying Please briefly describe a test bench or mechanical fixture you personally designed and built, including: * What was tested. * The instrumentation used. * The standards or verification requirements you worked to. Application Please fill out this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT66TPMiVM6S_Hd2g9V9FMT2qSO-wlksFP_iNE5zdEcP_POg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105416724086534603484&urp=email_link

What you’ll do

Review and improve mechanical verification plans, then design and build test benches and fixtures for functional, force, durability, cyclic, and environmental testing of a body-powered prosthetic hand. Develop traceable test procedures, define instrumentation and acceptance criteria, analyze results and failure modes, and ensure documentation aligns with applicable standards.

Requirements

Requires at least four years of hands-on mechanical testing, verification, validation, or experimental engineering experience, including personally designing and building physical test benches and fixtures. Candidates should have experience with mechanical instrumentation, requirements-based test procedures, ISO or recognized regulatory frameworks, and a relevant engineering degree or equivalent experience.

Listed skills

• Technical Documentation · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Mechanical Testing
• Verification And Validation
• Test Bench Design
• Fixture Design
• Mechanical Instrumentation
• Test Procedure Development
• ISO Standards
• Measurement Uncertainty
• Traceability
• Failure Mode Analysis
• Durability Testing
• Cyclic Testing
• Force Testing
• Data Collection
• Technical Documentation
• Prosthetic Device Testing

Job areas

• Engineering
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Science & Research