Hardware Engineer, Sensor Cleaning

Bedrock Robotics Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Reasonable Accommodations

Job summary

Bedrock Robotics Inc. is seeking a Hardware Engineer to design, build, test, manufacture and integrate sensor cleaning systems for autonomous machines used on construction sites.

You will collaborate with senior engineers on sensor selection and integration, and drive hardware development from ideation through production, including packaging for rugged environments and developing automated tests with Python/C++. This role emphasizes real-world deployment and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 6+ years of relevant industry experience preferred.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical and mechatronic hardware engineering.
• Hands-on design, build, and test of hardware in rugged outdoor environments.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, test, and integration of sensor cleaning systems (fluid, air, mechanical, and thermal) for autonomous machines.
• Work with integration team to package cleaning components and systems.
• Work with perception and safety teams to set cleaning requirements and performance metrics.
• Build test rigs and run lab and field testing of cleaning performance in real site conditions.
• Establish and lead relationships with external vendors for all cleaning components.
• Write reusable test automation and data analysis software (Python and/or C/C++).

Skills

Hardware design and testing

Fluid systems

Python or C/C++

Sensor apertures knowledge

Rugged packaging

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Mechatronics exposure

Tools

Python

C/C++

Job description

Join the team bringing advanced autonomy to the built world

At Bedrock, we're moving AI out of the lab and into the real world. Our team includes veterans who helped launch Waymo, scaled Segment to a $3.2B acquisition, and grew Uber Freight to $5B in revenue. Today, we're deploying autonomous systems on heavy construction equipment across the country, improving safety on job sites and accelerating schedules on critical infrastructure projects.

We're not here debating the future of AI. We're deploying it in the real world. In just two years, we've raised $350M and achieved the first fully autonomous excavator deployments in construction.

This is where algorithms meet steel-toed boots. You'll work alongside construction veterans and world-class engineers to solve physical-world problems that simulations can't touch. If you're ready to do meaningful work on hard problems, we'd love to have you join us.

We’re a group of veterans from the autonomous vehicle industry who are passionate about bringing the benefits of automation to areas in the construction industry. We’re growing our sizable fleet of retrofitted autonomous construction machines and we’re looking for a talented Hardware Engineer to help design, build, test, manufacture and integrate sensor cleaning systems that keep our lidar, camera, and radar apertures clear in all operating domains (dust, mud, rain/mist/fog, and ice). You will work alongside senior engineers responsible for sensor selection and integration to deliver robust and capable sensor cleaning systems to the field.

Key Qualifications

• Strong foundational knowledge in mechanical/mechatronic design, testing, and deployment of hardware systems in rugged outdoor environments

• Hands-on design, build, and test of fluid systems, including air and liquid pumps, valves, control ECUs, solenoids, nozzles, reservoirs, fittings, and associated plumbing

• Thermal design for mechanical assemblies, including heating and de-icing in cold and wet conditions

• Understanding of aperture degradation (dust, mud, water, ice, condensation) and how to define and measure what “clean” means for lidar, camera, and radar apertures

• Experience leading hardware development programs from ideation through proto, EVT, DVT, and production stages

• Packaging and integration strategies for hardware systems in rugged environments, including high shock/vibe, wide temp ranges, IP, and solar loading

• Working knowledge of lidar, camera, and radar apertures and how surface contamination affects their performance and downstream consequences for perception

• Proficiency in Python or C/C++ to prototype and debug cleaning controls, and to run tests, data collection, analysis, and reporting

Description and Responsibilities

• Own the design, test, and integration of sensor cleaning systems (fluid, air, mechanical, and thermal) for autonomous machines

• Work with integration team to package cleaning components and systems

• Work with perception and safety teams to set cleaning requirements and performance metrics, such as what counts as clean, cleaning frequency, fluid consumption, and cold-weather operation

• Build test rigs and run lab and field testing of cleaning performance in real site conditions: dust, mud, rain, and freezing temperatures

• Establish and lead relationships and programs (design, manufacturing, reliability testing, QC, field failures) with external vendors for all cleaning components

• Write reusable, high-quality test automation and data analysis software (Python and/or C/C++)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field

• Strong fundamentals in mechanical and mechatronic hardweare engineering

• 6+ years of relevant industry experience preferred

Ways to Stand Out From the Field

• Deep experience in any of these areas:

  • Hardware components for sensor cleaning, including sprayers, air puffers/air knives, wipers, ultrasonics, and other cleaning methods

  • Heaters and de-icing systems for sensor apertures or windows

  • Washer, de-icing, or fluid/air-handling systems in automotive, aerospace, or agriculture

• Experience with system engineering requirements definition and V&V

• Experience with common standards for hardware reliability testing in construction field

  • ISO 16750, SAE J1455, etc…

• Familiarity with large commercial construction equipment electrical and mechanical hardware

Bedrock Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodations

We want our hiring process to be accessible to everyone. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please let your recruiter know so we can support you.