“Ask questions. Give your full effort to everything you do. Be the person who excels even at the most boring task—I’ll remember that. The people who get opportunities are the ones who show they can be relied on.”
Boston, MA, July 3, 2025 – Amy Underwood is the Vice President of Engineering at Square Robot, where she’s spent the past eight years building and leading the team behind some of the world’s most advanced on-stream robotic inspection technology. With over a decade of experience in robotics and engineering, Amy’s career reflects a grounded, hands-on approach to solving complex challenges—always with the team in mind.
Her path into engineering wasn’t sparked by a childhood obsession with robots or machines, but by a steady interest in how things work. Strong in math and science, Amy naturally gravitated toward practical problem-solving. “I’ve always liked being hands-on—if something breaks in the house, I’m the one who fixes it,” she recalls. That real-world curiosity became a foundation for a career focused on applied engineering.
Earlier on in her career at Square Robot, Amy played a central role in developing the company’s core technology. “I was mathematically modeling the robot, designing control systems, testing hardware, and recruiting engineers—all while blasting the Hamilton soundtrack through my headphones,” she says. It was a time of long hours and intense work, but also one of the most rewarding periods of her career.
Now leading the hardware engineering team, Amy tackles some of the most demanding challenges in robotic inspection —ensuring safe operations in hazardous, flammable environments and collecting high-quality inspection data without the need to drain tanks. Her approach is deliberate and structured, centered on establishing robust technical requirements and a well-defined, realistic project plan from the outset
As a leader, Amy sees her role as a facilitator. She builds teams where people feel heard, supported, and challenged to bring their best. “Even as head of engineering, I know there’s always something I can learn from every member of my team.” She adds, “I really enjoy seeing people bring different ideas to the table and shape them into a stronger, more effective design together.”
Ask anyone on her team, and they’ll likely say the same: Amy leads by example. Her emphasis on open communication, mentorship, and accountability has shaped a strong engineering culture at Square Robot.
When she looks back on her time at the company, it’s not the boardroom wins or product milestones that stand out—it’s the hands-on moments. “Sitting beside a robot in a test tank, working through issues in real time… those are the memories that stay with me. I also think back to the late nights in the manufacturing bay, pushing to finish a build before a deadline. That’s when the work feels real and the most fulfilling.”
Looking ahead, Amy is interested in exploring more compact and user-friendly robotic designs—what she describes with a smile as “a cute robot.”
Her advice for new engineers?
“Ask questions. Give your full effort to everything you do. Be the person who excels even at the most boring task—I’ll remember that. The people who get opportunities are the ones who show they can be relied on.”