Systems Integrator (Engineering)

Role Overview

The Systems Integrator is responsible for ensuring that independently developed subsystems work together as a coherent, functional whole.

In our prosthetics programs, multiple engineering teams design components in parallel (hand, wrist, socket, harness, materials, testing). This role exists to prevent the classic failure mode where each part works in isolation, but the system fails when assembled.

The Systems Integrator focuses on interfaces, assumptions, dependencies, tolerances, and integration risks across the full system.

Key Responsibilities

System-Level Integration

• Define and maintain clear interfaces between subsystems (mechanical, material, test, manufacturing).
• Ensure subsystem designs are compatible in dimensions, loads, tolerances, attachment methods, and use conditions and work closely with the Test & QA team to run these test cases.
• Validate that integration assumptions are explicit and share with Test & QA team and engineering teams.

Cross-Team Technical Alignment

• Work closely with engineering sub-teams to understand design intent and constraints.
• Identify mismatches early (e.g., geometry conflicts, force transfer issues, material incompatibilities).
• Act as a technical bridge between teams that do not naturally talk to each other.

Integration Planning & Risk Identification

• Identify integration risks early in the development cycle.
• Flag system-level issues that may not appear at the component level.
• Propose mitigation strategies and integration checkpoints.

Testing & Validation Support

• Coordinate with test and QA teams to ensure testing covers system-level behavior, not just components.
• Help define integration test criteria and acceptance conditions.
• Review failures with a system-wide lens rather than isolated fixes.

Documentation & System Knowledge

• Maintain system-level documentation (interfaces, assumptions, constraints).
• Ensure integration decisions are recorded and accessible.
• Support continuity as volunteers rotate in and out.