Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer

Mecka; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecka AI in New York is seeking a Forward Deployment Robotics Engineer to support robot deployments, data capture, and teleoperation workflows. The role is hands-on and on-site, requiring you to be physically present during deployments, ensure robots are set up, running smoothly, and data is captured according to requirements.

You will work closely with customers, remote engineering teams, and teleop operators to keep deployments moving and issues resolved in real time.

Qualifications

• Prior experience as a field technician, field engineer, or on-site support at a robotics company.
• Hands-on experience supporting real robot deployments.
• Experience leading or supporting data capture operations.
• Familiarity with teleoperation systems or remote robot operation.
• Comfortable working with Linux-based systems, cameras, sensors, and networking.

Responsibilities

• Go on-site for robot deployments, pilots, and tests
• Ensure robots are properly set up, calibrated, and operational
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and networking issues on site
• Act as the on-site technical owner during deployments
• Lead on-site data capture during robot operation
• Coordinate with remote teleop operators and engineering teams
• Assist with setup, testing, and monitoring of teleop systems
• Escalate issues clearly and quickly when needed

Skills

Hands-on

Field experience

Teleoperation

Linux-dedicated

Tools

Linux

Job description

About Mecka AI

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI.

About Mecka AI

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI. We design and operate global systems for data capture, data labeling, and hardware-enabled workflows used by leading AI labs and robotics companies to train and validate humanoid and embodied AI systems. We work closely with frontier robotics teams to bridge real-world data, simulation, learning-based systems, and deployed hardware. We work directly with robotics companies and AI teams to support real-world robot deployments and high-quality data capture, ensuring systems operate reliably in live environments and produce data suitable for training and evaluation. Our work happens on the ground - in labs, factories, and deployment sites - where execution and technical judgment matter.

Our Mission

Robotics will become the largest industry in human history - larger than anything that has come before it. As intelligent machines move into the physical world, they will dramatically expand global GDP, raise the material standard of living for everyone, and ultimately help make humanity a multiplanetary civilization. None of that happens without one thing: enormous amounts of high-quality, real-world data. Mecka AI builds that foundation. We are the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI - the substrate that teaches machines to perceive, reason, and act in reality. Get this right, and we accelerate the most important technological transition of our time.

Our Culture

• Excellence as the baseline. We hold an extremely high bar and expect the best work of your career. Mediocrity isn't interesting to us.
• Highly technical. We reason from first principles, not by analogy. The best argument wins - regardless of title or tenure.
• Truth-seeking. We are relentlessly honest with ourselves and each other. We chase reality - measured, not assumed - and kill our own bad ideas fast.
• Maniacal urgency. The work matters and the clock is real. We move fast, ship, measure, and iterate.
• Extreme ownership. You own outcomes end-to-end - no hand-offs, no excuses, no waiting for permission.
• Hardcore. This is a high-intensity environment for people who want to do the defining work of their lives.

The Role

We're hiring a Forward Deployment Robotics Engineer based in New York to support robot deployments, data capture, and teleoperation workflows.

This is a hands-on, on-site role. You will be the person physically present during deployments - making sure robots are set up correctly, running smoothly, and capturing data according to requirements. You'll work closely with customers, remote engineering teams, and teleop operators to keep deployments moving and issues resolved in real time.

Responsibilities

Robot Deployment & On-Site Support

• Go on-site for robot deployments, pilots, and tests
• Ensure robots are properly set up, calibrated, and operational
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, and networking issues on site
• Act as the on-site technical owner during deployments

Data Capture Leadership

• Lead on-site data capture during robot operation
• Ensure data is captured correctly, consistently, and at required quality
• Monitor sensors, cameras, telemetry, and logs during capture sessions
• Identify and resolve issues that could impact data quality

Teleoperation Support

• Support teleoperation workflows during deployments
• Coordinate with remote teleop operators and engineering teams
• Assist with setup, testing, and monitoring of teleop systems
• Escalate issues clearly and quickly when needed

Communication & Reporting

• Serve as the local point of contact in New York
• Provide clear updates on deployment status and issues
• Document problems, fixes, and learnings from the field
• Help improve deployment and data capture processes over time

Who You Are

Required Experience

• Prior experience as a field technician, field engineer, or on-site support at a robotics company
• Hands-on experience supporting real robot deployments
• Experience leading or supporting data capture operations
• Familiarity with teleoperation systems or remote robot operation
• Comfortable working with Linux-based systems, cameras, sensors, and networking

You Are

• Highly hands-on and comfortable working on-site
• Calm under pressure and able to troubleshoot in real time
• Detail-oriented and quality-focused
• Clear communicator between field teams and remote engineering
• Willing to travel locally to deployment sites as needed

Why This Role

• Be directly involved in real-world robotics deployments
• Own on-site execution and data capture quality
• Work closely with cutting-edge robotics systems and teams
• High responsibility and autonomy in a fast-moving environment

Inclusive Hiring at Mecka

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive candidate experience. Should you require any accommodation whatsoever during the interview process, please inform us without any hesitation. Mecka is dedicated to ensuring equal treatment and opportunity in all phases of recruitment, selection, and employment, in compliance with employment law. We do not discriminate based on gender, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other protected category. Mecka is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, fostering a culture of inclusivity and maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Mecka uses artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly to support administrative and efficiency-focused aspects of our recruitment process. This includes activities such as drafting job descriptions, generating interview questions, note-taking and recordings, and supporting sourcing and scheduling workflows. All candidate evaluations, interviews, and hiring decisions are made by members of the Mecka team. While AI tools may assist with screening and assessment, they do not replace human judgment in selection decisions. Our use of AI is intended to streamline routine tasks, improve consistency, and enhance the overall candidate experience. We are committed to upholding principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in all hiring activities. Mecka regularly reviews its recruitment practices to mitigate bias and to ensure alignment with applicable laws and evolving best practices.

Compensation Range: $120K - $180K