Head of Robot Repair Operations

1X; San Carlos (AZ); On-site; USD 195,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

1X, an AI and robotics company in San Carlos, California, is seeking a highly technical leader to build and scale the internal Maintenance and Repair Operations for robotic systems in our workshop.

You will lead a fast-moving team, diagnose and repair electromechanical systems, and work hands-on to develop scalable processes from prototype builds to high-volume repair and refurbishment as we scale production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline is required.
• 8-12+ years in electromechanical repair, maintenance, or sustaining engineering.
• Proven experience leading and scaling technical teams in high-growth or production environments.
• Strong hands-on capability to diagnose and repair complex systems.
• Background in high-reliability industries (e.g., automotive, aerospace, robotics).
• Experience with BOMs, schematics, and engineering change orders.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the internal Maintenance and Repair organization for robotic systems.
• Scale repair workflows from prototype builds to high-volume production.
• Mentor repair technicians and diagnostic engineers.
• Define roles, responsibilities, and career progression across the team.
• Partner with QA, design, manufacturing to drive product improvements.
• Enforce documentation standards including BOMs and schematics.

Skills

Leadership

Hands-on troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Process improvement

Cross-functional teamwork

Team scaling

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical discipline

Job description

About 1X

We're an AI and robotics company based in San Carlos, California, on a mission to build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously.

Location

San Carlos, CA (on-site)

The Role

We are seeking a highly technical and hands-on leader to build and scale our internal Maintenance and Repair Operations function. This role will own the end-to-end workflow for diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining robotic systems within our workshop environment.

You will lead the development of a high-performing team responsible for troubleshooting and repairing electromechanical systems at increasing scale—from early low-volume prototype builds to high-throughput production operations. Your work will play a critical role in system reliability, product feedback loops, and operational readiness as we scale production.

This role requires deep technical judgment, strong operational instincts, and a willingness to work hands-on alongside the team in a fast-paced startup environment.

You Will

• Build and lead the internal Maintenance and Repair organization for robotic systems
• Augment the playbooks and mentor the process to diagnose and troubleshoot complex electromechanical failures at both system and component level
• Establish and scale repair workflows, including intake, triage, repair, validation, and return-to-service processes
• Hire, coach, and develop a team of repair technicians and diagnostic/service engineers (mix of non-exempt and exempt roles)
• Define roles, responsibilities, and career progression across the Maintenance and Repair organization
• In partnership with the Quality Assurance team develop and implement structured processes for failure tracking, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement
• Partner closely with design, manufacturing, and reliability engineering to drive product improvements based on field and production failures
• Interpret and enforce use of technical documentation including schematics, work instructions, and bills of materials (BOMs)
• Hold the highest quality standards, safety requirements, and traceability expectations
• Support the transition from low-volume builds to higher-volume repair and refurbishment operations
• Maintain a strong presence on the floor — actively engaging in troubleshooting, mentoring, and process development

Must Have

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline required
• 8-12+ years of experience in electromechanical systems repair, maintenance, or sustaining engineering
• Proven experience leading and scaling technical teams in high-growth or production environments
• Strong hands-on capability — able and willing to personally diagnose and repair complex systems
• Background in high-reliability, process-driven industries (e.g., automotive, aerospace, robotics, or similar)
• Experience working with structured documentation including BOMs, schematics, and engineering change orders
• Demonstrated ability to build and improve operational workflows in repair, maintenance, or manufacturing environments
• Experience managing both technicians (hourly) and engineers (salaried)
• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with evolving processes

Nice to Have

• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, EV platforms, or aviation environments
• Background in scaling repair or depot operations from low to medium/high volume
• Familiarity with reliability engineering concepts and failure analysis methodologies
• Experience implementing repair tracking systems or service data infrastructure
• Exposure to regulated or safety‑critical systems with traceability requirements

Benefits & Compensation

• Salary Range: $195,000-$240,000
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.