Field Application Engineer – Robotics Networking

NXP Semiconductors; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 229,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

health insurance

dental insurance

vision insurance

401(k)

paid leave

Job summary

NXP Semiconductors is seeking a seasoned engineer for the Robotics Networking team. You will lead system-level integration across Ethernet, SerDes, and PoDL to enable robust automation platforms such as AMRs and drones.

Expect hands-on bring-up, performance validation, and customer-facing support. The role emphasizes real‑time, deterministic networking with TSN/EtherCAT and requires strong C/C++ firmware skills on ARM cores, plus experience with ROS 2 and RTOS environments.

Qualifications

• >10 years in embedded systems with networking, switch, or SoC platforms and leadership.
• >System-level robotics understanding including AMRs, drones, humanoids.
• >Proficient in C/C++ firmware development and ARM debugging.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design and system integration for robotics networking solutions.
• Guide customers in Ethernet switch/PHY/SerDes selection and bring-up.
• Deliver hands-on validation, lab debugging, and performance tuning for deterministic latency.

Skills

C/C++ firmware

ARM microcontrollers

Ethernet/Networking

RTOS protocols

Robotics platforms

Signal analysis

Autonomy

SPE/BASE-T1

TSN/EtherCAT

Debugging

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering/CE/CS or equivalent

Tools

FreeRTOS

Zephyr

NuttX

ROS 2

Job description

Location USA (home office) — Preference for California Bay Area, Boston metro, Detroit metro, or Austin. Candidates must be willing to travel.

Introduction AI is rapidly moving beyond research labs and into the real world—powering advancements in vehicles, factories, hospitals, homes, and everyday devices. NXP’s Global Sales organization is the force that transforms our intelligent edge vision into meaningful market impact. We operate on the front lines of innovation, delivering real‑world AI, secure edge intelligence, and breakthrough technologies to the customers shaping tomorrow’s world. As a strategic partner at the intersection of customer ambition and NXP capability, our global sales team drives alignment, opens new markets, and builds the relationships that lead to design wins and revenue growth. Through deep market insight and long‑term collaboration, we embed customer‑centricity into every decision and help accelerate innovation at the system‑solution level. This disciplined, client‑first mindset enables us to architect integrated, future‑ready solutions that deliver sustained value and strengthen NXP’s competitive advantage. We thrive in a high‑performance, high‑ownership environment—competing boldly, executing with urgency, and celebrating results. If you want to win big, grow fast, and work with the customers building what’s next, NXP Global Sales is where ambition becomes achievement.

What to Expect

We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced engineer to join our FAE team supporting the rapidly growing robotics market — Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), drones, and humanoid platforms. You will help our customers deploy industry‑leading networking and high‑speed communication technologies — Ethernet, SerDes, TSN, EtherCAT, and Power-over-Dataline/Ethernet — into next‑generation robotic systems where deterministic, low‑latency communication is critical for perception, motion, and motor control. This is a US home‑office‑based role, with preference for candidates in the California Bay Area, Boston metro, Detroit metro, or Austin, but all US locations will be considered. Candidates must be willing to travel, primarily within the US.

Your Role

Serve as the technical lead and system‑level expert for NXP robotics networking solutions — guiding customers through Ethernet switch, PHY, and SerDes selection, bring‑up, and software integration, with a clear view of how networking connects compute, perception, motor‑control, and power across the full robot architecture. Architect and support next‑generation in‑robot network topologies — including zonal and microzonal architectures, Single‑Pair Ethernet (SPE) backbones, 10BASE‑T1S sensor/edge segments, and combined power‑and‑data distribution using PoDL. Provide hands‑on design support and performance validation — schematic reviews, bench bring‑up, lab debugging, and tuning of Ethernet and real‑time protocol interfaces for deterministic latency in robotics applications. Deliver on‑site and remote proof‑of‑concept builds using NXP evaluation kits and reference designs, demonstrating end‑to‑end network solutions for AMR, drone, and humanoid use cases. Lead technical training — webinars, workshops, and customer deep‑dives — on NXP’s robotics networking portfolio.

Core Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.


• 10+ years in embedded systems development or applications support with networking, switch, or SoC platforms, with demonstrated technical leadership.


• Systems‑level understanding of robotics platforms (humanoids, AMRs, drones) — including how networking enables real‑time coordination across compute, perception, motor control, and power subsystems.


• Proficient in C/C++ firmware development and debugging with ARM microcontrollers.


• Strong hands‑on knowledge of Ethernet controllers, switches, and PHY technologies — including MAC/PHY/DMA, switch configuration, and Single‑Pair Ethernet (BASE‑T1, 10BASE‑T1S).


• Experience with deterministic real‑time Ethernet — TSN and EtherCAT — and familiarity with PoDL for combined power‑and‑data distribution in robotics.


• Strong troubleshooting skills with schematic review, signal analysis, and lab tools.


• Strong communicator with both technical and non‑technical audiences; demonstrated ability to operate autonomously.

Specialty & Bonus Skills

• Knowledge of CAN networking technologies — CAN FD, CAN SIC, and emerging CAN XL — including use in joint modules, BMS, and zonal nodes.


• Familiarity with RTOS platforms (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, NuttX), embedded Linux (Ethernet driver/switchdev), and robotics middleware (ROS 2, DDS, PREEMPT_RT).


• Familiarity with SerDes interfaces, PCIe Gen3/Gen4, and high‑speed signal integrity considerations.


• Knowledge of functional safety (IEC 61508, ISO 13849) and cybersecurity (IEC 62443), including Ethernet network segmentation (VLANs, MACsec, IEEE 802.1X).

Company Benefits

• health insurance


• dental insurance


• vision insurance


• 401(k)


• paid leave

Salary Range

The base salary range for this position is as mentioned below per year. We also provide competitive benefits, incentive compensation, and/or equity for certain roles. Company benefits include health. dental, and vision insurance. 401(k), and paid leave. Please note that the base salary range (OR hourly rate) is a guideline, and individual total compensation may vary based on a number of factors such as qualifications, skill level, work location, and other business and organizational needs. This base pay range is specific to California and is not applicable to other locations. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range as of the date of this posting is: $166,200 to $228,500 annually

NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) enables a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through innovation. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is pushing boundaries in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. For more information, visit www.nxp.com Bright Minds. Bright Futures. We believe that a key component to growing our business is to develop our people. To enable you to grow your career at NXP, we offer online and offline learning opportunities to help you develop some of your core and professional skills.

Commitment At NXP. We recognize NXP is a powerful change agent as we continue to deliver innovative solutions that advance a more sustainable future. We remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainability and making measurable year‑on‑year progress. Also, we aim to create an inclusive work environment and we will not tolerate racism, discrimination or harassment of any kind. We have programs in place focused on diversity, inclusion and equality.

Thank you for considering a career at NXP.

To help you prepare for the different steps in our hiring process, see the following useful advice and tips. Are you already an NXP employee? Do not apply here. Instead, you must apply via our internal career page. Thank you for your interest in supporting our recruitment efforts. Please note that NXP operates under a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for all recruitment activities. Any candidate profiles or resume submitted without a prior written agreement or explicit request from our Talent Acquisition team will be considered unsolicited. Such submissions will be deemed free of any obligations, and no fees will be paid by NXP or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or divisions - regardless of whether the candidate is hired, either coincidentally or otherwise. Thank you for your understanding.