Manufacturing Engineer, Robotics Hardware

FieldAI; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Field AI is looking for a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to own and continuously improve assembly processes for robotic systems and sub‑assemblies. You will partner with mechanical, electrical, and systems teams to ensure designs are manufacturable and scalable for production.

You will define quality criteria, develop tests, and support contract manufacturers with process development. This onsite role in Irvine, CA emphasizes reducing complexity, improving yields, and delivering reliable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience supporting complex hardware products.
• Strong experience with DFM, DFA, process development, and production support.
• Experience developing assembly processes for electromechanical systems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, root cause analysis, and process control methodologies.
• Experience creating manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and process validation plans.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a data‑driven approach to decision making.

Responsibilities

• Own the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of assembly processes for robotic systems, payloads, and sub‑assemblies.
• Create and maintain manufacturing work instructions, assembly procedures, process flows, and build documentation.
• Design assembly workflows that optimize throughput, quality, ergonomics, and repeatability.
• Lead manufacturing readiness activities for prototype, pilot, and production builds.
• Support contract manufacturers and internal production teams with process development and troubleshooting.

Skills

DFM

DFA

Process development

Production support

Data-driven

Root cause analysis

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer, Robotics Hardware

Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk‑aware, reliable, and field‑ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data‑driven approaches or pure transformer‑based architectures, charting a new course, with already‑globally‑deployed solutions delivering real‑world results and rapidly improving models through real‑field applications.

The Manufacturing Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously improving assembly and manufacturing processes for Field AI products. This individual will serve as the bridge between Engineering and Manufacturing, ensuring products are designed for manufacturability, assembly, testability, and long‑term scalability.

The ideal candidate is highly hands‑on, thrives in fast‑paced hardware development environments, and has experience bringing complex electromechanical products from prototype through production. This role will play a critical part in improving product yields, reducing assembly complexity, establishing quality standards, and developing functional test strategies that ensure reliable field performance.

What You Will Get To Do

Manufacturing Process Ownership

• Own the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of assembly processes for robotic systems, payloads, and sub‑assemblies.
• Create and maintain manufacturing work instructions, assembly procedures, process flows, and build documentation.
• Design assembly workflows that optimize throughput, quality, ergonomics, and repeatability.
• Lead manufacturing readiness activities for prototype, pilot, and production builds.
• Support contract manufacturers and internal production teams with process development and troubleshooting.

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Design for Assembly (DFA)

• Partner closely with Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering teams during product development.
• Drive DFM and DFA reviews throughout the product lifecycle to reduce manufacturing complexity, cost, and assembly time.
• Identify opportunities to simplify assemblies, reduce part count, improve tolerance stack‑ups, and increase manufacturability.
• Provide feedback on component selection, fabrication methods, and assembly approaches to improve product robustness and scalability.

Yield Improvement & Production Support

• Establish manufacturing KPIs and yield tracking systems.
• Analyze production data to identify root causes of defects, failures, and inefficiencies.
• Lead failure analysis and corrective action (FACA) initiatives to improve process capability and product quality.
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on yield, cycle time, labor efficiency, and cost reduction.

Quality & Test Development

• Define manufacturing quality requirements and inspection strategies for components, assemblies, and finished products.
• Develop acceptance criteria, inspection plans, and quality checkpoints throughout the manufacturing process.
• Establish functional test requirements and validation procedures for payloads, subsystems, and completed systems.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams to develop automated and semi‑automated test solutions where appropriate.
• Ensure manufacturing processes consistently produce products that meet performance and reliability requirements.

Tooling, Fixtures & Automation

• Design and implement assembly fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing aids to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Evaluate opportunities for automation and process optimization.
• Develop calibration and maintenance requirements for manufacturing equipment and test stations.
• Ensure production tools and fixtures are documented and controlled.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience supporting complex hardware products.
• Strong experience with DFM, DFA, process development, and production support.
• Experience developing assembly processes for electromechanical systems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, root cause analysis, and process control methodologies.
• Experience creating manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and process validation plans.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a data‑driven approach to decision making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, automotive, industrial equipment, or similar industries.
• Experience supporting products from prototype through scaled production.
• Familiarity with PCBAs, wiring harnesses, sensors, motors, actuators, and precision mechanical assemblies.
• Experience developing production test equipment and functional test procedures.
• Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, SPC, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and external production partners.

Compensation

Salary range: $100,000 - $150,000 per year.

Actual offer will be based on relevant experience, competencies, certifications, and how well the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above. We also offer full benefits, equity, and generous time off.

Field AI Onsite Work Requirements

The role is fully onsite at our Irvine, CA office. Candidates will be expected to work from our Irvine, CA office. In‑person engagement is essential to our success, and we offer flexible working hours to support focus and work‑life balance.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.