Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer

FDE Times; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fdetimes seeks a Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer to act as the first technical responder for a growing fleet of robotic systems deployed across warehouse and data-collection environments. You will triage issues, perform on-site diagnostics, and analyze telemetry to drive rapid resolution.

Responsibilities include cross-team collaboration, pattern recognition for reliability insights, and thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• Education: B.S. in Robotics, Mecha tronics, Systems Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Hardware: Proficiency debugging electromechanical systems including actuators, PCBs, cameras, wiring harnesses, and communication hardware.
• Software: Experience with log parsing and basic scripting for diagnostics (Python or Bash).
• Systems: 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: Minimum 2 years work experience with debugging and root cause investigations of systems with hardware and software issues.

Responsibilities

• Triage fleet issues: categorize as hardware, software, or operational and prioritize for escalation.
• Perform on-site diagnostics: inspect robot stations and verify issue reproduction.
• Analyze telemetry and logs to form root cause hypotheses.
• Conduct formal failure analysis and root cause investigations.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to reproduce and resolve complex issues.
• Identify recurring issues to surface reliability insights for design improvements.
• Maintain clear, traceable documentation for every diagnostic and escalation event.
• Track fleet health metrics and report trends to leadership.
• Help develop and maintain diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting guides.

Skills

Hardware debugging

Scripting for diagnostics

Systems understanding

Written communication

Hands-on problem solving

Education

B.S. in Robotics / Mechatronics / Systems Engineering

Tools

Python

Bash

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.