R&D Autonomous Vehicle Technician

foundation-robotics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market standard benefits (health, 401k

Job summary

Foundation seeks a hands-on technician to assemble, wire, and maintain electric autonomous ATVs in a fast-paced prototype environment. You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to rapidly iterate on designs and support on-site deployments.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years in robotics hardware, strong mechanical skills, ability to read schematics, and familiarity with 12–48V systems. On-site SF work with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in robotics/hardware fields.
• Strong mechanical assembly and fastening skills.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematics.
• Familiarity with 12–48V electrical systems and safe HV handling is a plus.
• Proficiency with standard shop tools and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, install, and maintain mechanical components on electric autonomous ATVs.
• Build and terminate wiring harnesses following schematics and drawings.
• Perform mechanical fabrication tasks (drilling, cutting, mounting).
• Support sensor, compute, and actuator integration (cameras, LiDAR, ECUs).
• Conduct vehicle bring-up, troubleshooting, and field rework during prototypes.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Read drawings & schematics

Electrical systems knowledge

Shop tools proficiency

Field bring-up & testing

Tools

Torque tools

CAN tools

Drill press

Job description

About Foundation:

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics and electric mobility with the goal to save lives and augment human labor.

Our mission is to create an autonomous, crewless ATV built to be truly all-terrain. Designed for commercial and defense use, it can save lives and take on heavy transport across mining, agriculture, construction, and more.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team. Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Why We Are Hiring for This Role:

• Assemble, install, and maintain mechanical components on electric autonomous ATVs, including suspension, chassis, drivetrain, and enclosures.
• Build, route, and terminate wiring harnesses (low-voltage and high-voltage) following schematics, drawings, and best practices.
• Perform mechanical fabrication tasks: drilling, cutting, tapping, mounting brackets, basic machining, and fitting custom hardware.
• Support sensor, compute, and actuator integration (cameras, LiDAR, GNSS, ECUs, motor controllers, power electronics).
• Conduct vehicle bring-up, troubleshooting, and rework during prototype builds.
• Diagnose mechanical and electrical issues using standard tools (multimeter, continuity tester, CAN tools).
• Execute test procedures for functional checks, autonomous systems tests, and field shakedowns.
• Maintain detailed documentation of builds, changes, and inventory.
• Keep the shop and vehicle workspace organized, safe, and properly stocked.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to rapidly iterate on designs.
• Assist with on-site deployments, demos, and field support as needed

What Kind of Person We Are Looking For:

• 3-5 years of hands‑on experience as a technician in robotics, automotive, electric vehicles, heavy equipment, motorsports, aerospace, or similar hardware fields.
• Strong mechanical assembly skills: torque procedures, bearings, fasteners, drivetrains, suspension, alignment.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, and basic schematics.
• Familiarity with basic electrical systems: 12–48V, DC power distribution, grounding, isolation, and safe HV handling.
• Proficiency using standard shop tools (hand tools, power tools, torque tools, drill press, etc.).

Benefits

We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.

Salary

The annual compensation is expected to be between $100,000 - $150,000. Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience.