R&D Autonomous Vehicle Technician

Foundation Robotics Lab; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k

Culture and mission

Job summary

Foundation Robotics Lab is seeking a hands-on technician to join our growing hardware team in San Francisco. You will assemble, wire, and test autonomous ATVs, working closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to iterate fast on new designs.

We value practical problem-solving, strong shop skills, and the ability to read schematics. The role offers market-competitive pay and comprehensive benefits aligned with a mission to advance safe, all-terrain autonomous systems.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in robotics, automotive, electric vehicles or related hardware fields.
• Strong mechanical assembly skills including torque procedures, bearings, fasteners, drivetrains, suspension.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, install, and maintain mechanical components on electric autonomous ATVs.
• Build, route, and terminate wiring harnesses following schematics and drawings.
• Perform mechanical fabrication tasks: drilling, cutting, tapping, mounting brackets, basic machining.
• Support sensor, compute, and actuator integration (cameras, LiDAR, GNSS, ECUs, power electronics).
• Conduct vehicle bring-up, troubleshooting, and rework during prototype builds.
• Maintain detailed documentation of builds, changes, and inventory.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to iterate on designs.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Reading schematics

Electrical systems

Shop tools proficiency

Tools

Drill press

Multimeter

Job description

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.).

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

The annual compensation is expected to be between $85,000 - $110,000. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.