R&D Technician, Robotics Hardware

FieldAI; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Dormont Manufacturing Co in Irvine, California is seeking an Assembly Technician to assemble and validate complex sensing and compute payloads. The ideal candidate has 2+ years of technician experience in robotics or related fields and is proficient with hands-on assembly techniques. Responsibilities include assembling perception payloads, conducting quality assurance tests, and improving assembly workflows. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to innovation in robotics.

This role offers opportunities for growth and contributions to groundbreaking technologies.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on technician experience in robotics or related fields.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and assembly instructions.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation discipline.

Responsibilities

• Assemble perception payloads including LiDAR, cameras, and sensors.
• Perform continuity and grounding checks.
• Run functional tests including sensor bring-up and calibration checks.

Skills

Hands-on technician experience

Proficiency with hand tools

Reading wiring diagrams

Experience with wire harnesses

Attention to detail

Job description

About Us

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, and are charting a new course, with already‑globally‑deployed solutions delivering real‑world results and rapidly improving models through real‑field applications.

Assembly Technician Role

As an Assembly Technician for Perception & Compute Payloads, you will be a hands‑on contributor responsible for assembling, integrating, and validating Field AI’s sensing and compute payloads. You will build electro‑mechanical subsystems, integrate sensors and embedded compute platforms, perform harnessing and power system checks, support functional testing, and ensure every payload is field‑ready and reliable. This role bridges mechanical assembly, electrical integration, and practical system‑level debugging. You will support both prototype development and production workflows while working closely with engineers to improve build processes and increase system reliability.

What You Will Get To Do

1. Payload Assembly & Integration

• Assemble perception payloads including LiDAR, cameras, IMUs, GPS receivers, and auxiliary sensors using engineering drawings and build instructions.
• Install and integrate CPU/GPU compute modules, carrier boards, and microcontroller‑based subsystems.
• Build and route wire harnesses for power, high‑speed data, synchronization, and control.
• Install mounts, enclosures, gaskets, seals, thermal components, and structural hardware.

2. Electrical, Power, and Communication Bring‑Up

• Perform continuity checks, grounding/EMI checks, and power‑rail validation.
• Assist in bring‑up of Linux‑ or ROS2‑based embedded compute systems.
• Validate communication links across Ethernet, USB, CAN, GMSL, and other interfaces.
• Verify correct connectorization, pinouts, and harness strain‑relief practices.

3. System Testing & Quality Assurance

• Run functional tests including sensor bring‑up, calibration checks, compute boot/health tests, and network verification.
• Document test results, deviations, rework, and repair actions with high accuracy.
• Support environmental, vibration, mechanical alignment, and thermal characterization tests led by hardware engineers.
• Conduct inspections for workmanship quality, mechanical stability, and electrical safety.

4. Debugging & Continuous Improvement

• Diagnose wiring faults, mechanical misalignments, intermittent communication issues, thermal faults, and other integration failures.
• Work closely with electrical, mechanical, and compute engineers to root‑cause issues and improve build processes.
• Provide feedback on assembly workflows, documentation clarity, and opportunities to streamline production.

5. Field & Operations Support

• Prepare, stage, and service payloads for real‑world deployment.
• Support integration and troubleshooting activities during lab tests, field trials, and live demonstrations.
• Perform rapid repairs and reconfigurations in dynamic testing environments.

What You Have

• 2+ years of hands‑on technician experience in robotics, aerospace, electronics, automotive, or related electro‑mechanical assembly environments.
• Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, torque drivers, and basic machine‑shop tools.
• Ability to read and follow wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and assembly instructions.
• Experience building wire harnesses and working with low‑voltage electrical systems.
• Familiarity with embedded compute systems, sensors, or robotics hardware.
• Strong attention to detail, documentation discipline, and ability to deliver reliable assemblies.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work in workshop, lab, or field environments.

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience working with perception systems such as LiDAR, cameras, radar, or IMUs.
• Familiarity with Linux, ROS2, or embedded system bring‑up workflows.
• Soldering, crimping, or IPC‑certified workmanship skills.
• Understanding of thermal management, weather sealing, EMI/EMC basics, and ruggedized mechanical design.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, rapid iteration cycles, or field test deployments.
• Ability to design or suggest simple fixtures or jigs to improve assembly and repeatability.
• Experience assembling complex electro‑mechanical systems, especially robotics, drones, or ruggedized field hardware.

Why Join Field AI?

We are solving one of the world’s most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.

You will have the opportunity to work with a world‑class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade‑long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self‑Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.

Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution

To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision — innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We’re seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.

We are headquartered in always‑sunny Irvine, Southern California and have US based and global teammates.

Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close‑knit team on an exciting journey!

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.