Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer

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

Job summary

FDE Times in San Francisco is seeking a Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer to serve as the first line of technical defense for our fleet of robotic systems deployed across warehouse and field environments. You will analyze field tickets, reproduce issues, gather diagnostics, and drive resolutions to maximize fleet uptime.

You will triage issues by hardware, software, or operational type, perform on-site diagnostics, analyze telemetry and logs, and conduct root cause analyses while collaborating

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 completing root cause investigations of systems with hardware and software issues.

Responsibilities

• Triage incoming fleet issue tickets by priority and category (hardware, software, or operational).
• Perform on-site diagnostics with physical inspections and functional tests at robot stations.
• Analyze telemetry, sensor data, and logs to test root-cause hypotheses.
• Conduct root cause analyses and document findings for leadership.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to reproduce and resolve complex issues.
• Identify recurring issues and surface reliability insights for design improvements.
• Maintain clear, traceable documentation for each diagnostic and escalation event.
• Track and report issue trends and fleet health metrics.

Skills

Robotics

Mechatronics

Electromechanical

Python scripting

Log parsing

Telemetry analysis

Documentation

Field diagnostics

Hardware debugging

Communication

Education

B.S. in Robotics

Tools

Python

Job description

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.