Mission Success Engineer

Overland AI; Ellensburg (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Healthcare, dental, and vision plans

Flexible PTO

401k with company match

Parental leave

Job summary

Overland AI in Washington state seeks a field-forward Hardware Engineer to deploy, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and train end-users on autonomous ground-vehicle platforms in real operational environments.

This role involves extensive field deployments at test sites, customer locations, and events, diagnosing issues, performing repairs, and ensuring systems are mission-ready across Seattle and Central Washington sites.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience with vehicles or hardware systems.
• Strong mechanical intuition and adaptability in ambiguous environments.
• Experience with robotics software and field deployments.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and field-test autonomous vehicle systems and payloads.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair in the field.
• Develop hardware/software integration and iterate based on feedback.
• Collaborate with engineers and program managers for deployment alignment.
• Document field performance and propose improvements.
• Provide on-site training and user support to operators.

Skills

Hands-on hardware

Mechanical intuition

Robotics

Embedded systems

Python

C++

Field testing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

ROS

CAN bus

Drive-by-wire

Job description

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Overland AI is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages over a decade of advanced research in robotics and machine learning, as well as a field-test forward ethos, to deliver combined capabilities for unit commanders. Our OverDrive autonomy stack enables ground vehicles to navigate and operate off-road in any terrain without GPS or direct operator control. Our intuitive OverWatch C2 interface provides commanders with precise coordination capabilities essential for mission success.

Overland AIhas secured funding from prominent defense tech investors including 8VC and Point 72, andbuilt trusted partnerships with DARPA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command. Backed by eight-figure contracts across the Department of Defense, we are strengthening national security by iterating closely with end users engaged in tactical operations.

Role Summary:

We are looking for a field-forward,Hardware Engineerto deploy,operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and train end-usersonautonomous ground-vehicle platforms inreal operationalenvironments. This role is for someone who is most comfortable hands-on with vehicles, thrives in the field, and knows how to keep machines running when conditions are far from ideal.

This is not a desk job. You will spendsignificant timedeployed at test sites, customer locations, and operational events,working directly on vehicles, diagnosing issues, making repairs, and ensuring systems aremission-ready.

Responsibilities:

• Deploy and Field-Test Systems :Deploy and testautonomousvehiclesand their payloadsin real-worldenvironments.When not traveling, you will be supporting payload integration and vehicle field testing between our Seattle andCentral Washington Statelocations.
• Sustain : Perform hands-on troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of vehicle systems including electronics, sensors, wiring, power, networking, and mechanical interfaces. Diagnose failures under time pressure and in resource-constrained environments, then implement practical fixes to keep vehicles operational.
• Develop and Iterate : Contribute to hardware/software integration and enhancements,leveraginguser feedback to improve autonomy capabilities.
• Collaborate Across Teams : Partner with engineers and program managers to ensure seamless deployment and alignment with end-user needs.
• Document and Analyze :Maintaindetailed records of field performance, documenting lessons learned and recommending improvements.
• Train and Support Users :Provide on-site training and support to end users/operators on system usage, maintenance, and safety. Help ensure operational readiness before and during field deployment.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, or a similartechnical field, or5 to 8 years of equivalent workexperience.
• Ability to obtain andmaintaina U.S. DoD security clearance.

DesiredExperience & Qualifications:

• Proven hands-on experience working with vehicles or complex hardware systems.
• Strong mechanicalengineeringintuition and the ability towork in ambiguous environment(s).
• Proficiencyin one or more of the following: robotics, sensors, networking, embedded systems, electronics, off-road vehicleoperationsand maintenance.
• Comfort working with electrical systems, sensors, wiring, connectors, and power systems.
• Experience with uncrewed systems and robotics software (e.g., ROS, CAN, drive-by-wire systems).
• Familiarity with autonomous system sensors (LIDAR, cameras).
• Experiencewith programming languages such as Python or C++is a plus.
• Knowledge of field-testing protocols and safety-critical environments.
• Ability tooperateand problem solveindependentlyin challenging conditions, including adverse weather and remote locations.
• Thrive in dynamic, cross-functionalteamsand small startup environments.
• Experience deploying hardware and software in defense technology, deep tech, or start up environments.
• Prior experience supporting hardware during live demos, tests, or operational events.
• Willingness to co-locate at testing sites or military installations for extended periods, both CONUS and OCONUS.

Location:

This positionis located inWashington State.When not traveling, expect to be working out of ourCentral Washington Statetest site and/or in our Seattle locations as needed.Frequent, extended travel expected (>50%).

Overland AI believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day.

• The salary range for this position is$120K to $150K annually
• Equity compensation
• Best-in-class healthcare, dental,and vision plans
• FlexiblePTO
• 401k with company match
• Parental leave

Overland AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

This position may involve access to export-controlled technology. Employment is contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control laws.

Overland AI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process. Please contact [e-mail] to request an accommodation.