Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer

physicalintelligence; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Physical Intelligence in San Francisco seeks a Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer to act as the first line of defense for a diverse fleet of robotic systems deployed in warehouse environments and external data-collection sites. You will triage issues, perform on-site diagnostics, and drive rapid resolution to maximize fleet uptime.

You will analyze telemetry and logs to form root-cause hypotheses, conduct failure analyses, and collaborate with hardware and software teams to implement fixes,

Qualifications

• B.S. in Robotics, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency debugging electromechanical systems including actuators, PCBs, cameras, wiring harnesses, and communication hardware.
• Experience with log parsing and basic scripting for diagnostics (Python or Bash).
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software interactions in robotic systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, particularly in technical documentation and shift handoffs.
• Minimum 2 years work experience with debugging and root cause investigations of hardware/software issues.

Responsibilities

• Primary Robot Fleet Issue Technical Triage Point: manage incoming fleet issue tickets and triage as hardware, software, or operational issue.
• Handle fast-paced operations while maintaining diagnostic quality.
• On-site diagnostics: perform physical inspections and functional tests at robot stations.
• Data analysis: analyze telemetry, sensor data, and logs to form and test root-cause hypotheses.
• Failure analysis: execute root cause analysis procedures.
• Cross-team collaboration: work with hardware and software teams to reproduce and resolve issues.
• Pattern recognition: surface reliability insights from recurring issues.
• Documentation: maintain clear, traceable diagnostic and escalation records.
• Metrics & reporting: track fleet health trends for leadership.
• Process improvement: help develop diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting guides.

Skills

Python scripting

Log parsing

Telemetry analysis

Root-cause debugging

Communication

Education

B.S. in Robotics/Mechatronics/Systems Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Role Overview

As a Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer, you'll serve as the first line of technical defense for our growing fleet of robotic systems deployed across warehouse and external data-collection environments. Our diverse robot fleet—including both static and mobile systems—performs complex manipulation and sensing tasks in real-world settings. When issues arise, you'll be the first responder: analyzing field tickets, reproducing issues, gathering diagnostic data, and driving resolution to ensure maximum fleet uptime.

Key Responsibilities

• - Primary Robot Fleet Issue Technical Triage Point: Manage incoming fleet issue ticket queue, prioritize based on fleet-wide implications and operational goals, and triage as hardware, software, or operational issue.
• - Fast-Paced Operations: Handle quick turnaround expectations while maintaining diagnostic quality
• - On-Site Diagnostics: Perform physical inspections and functional tests at robot stations to verify issue reproduction
• - Data Analysis: Analyze telemetry, sensor data, and logs to form and test hypotheses about root causes
• - Failure Analysis: Execute technically sound Failure Analysis / Root Cause Analysis procedures
• - Cross-Team Collaboration: Partner with hardware and software teams to reproduce and resolve complex issues
• - Pattern Recognition: Identify recurring issues across the fleet and surface reliability insights for design improvements
• - Documentation: Maintain clear, traceable documentation for every diagnostic and escalation event
• - Metrics & Reporting: Track and report issue trends and fleet health metrics to leadership
• - Process Improvement: Collaborate with team lead to develop and maintain diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting guides

Required Competencies & Skills

• - Education: B.S. in Robotics, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or equivalent experience
• - Hardware Knowledge: Proficiency debugging electromechanical systems including actuators, PCBs, cameras, wiring harnesses, and communication hardware
• - Software Knowledge: Experience with log parsing and basic scripting for diagnostics (Python or Bash)
• - Systems Knowledge: Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and software interactions in robotic systems
• - Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication, particularly in technical documentation and shift handoffs
• - Hands-On Problem Solving Experience: Minimum 2 years work experience with debugging and completing root cause investigations of systems with hardware and software issues

Strongly Preferred

• Experience supporting multi-robot fleets, warehouse automation systems, or field robotics deployments

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.