Robot Operations Technician (University of California, Irvine)

Robot.com; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Professional learning resources

Hands-on robotics experience

Job summary

Robot.com operates a hands-on, on-site role at the University of California, Irvine, focusing on fleet health. You’ll perform maintenance, diagnostics, and field support for autonomous robots deployed across campus, with onboarding and ongoing training to empower independent site management.

The position offers full-time employment, on-site work, and a competitive pay range in USD, reflecting experience and location, plus medical benefits and growth opportunities within the robotics field.

Qualifications

• Prior mechanical and/or hardware experience.
• Comfortable using hand tools and diagnostic equipment, and troubleshooting mechanical or electrical issues.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work through issues methodically.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English.
• Ability to work on-site full-time at the assigned campus location.
• Ability to lift and handle equipment as part of normal operations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the robot fleet in mechanical, electrical, and software condition at all times.
• Perform hardware diagnostics, repairs, and component replacements as needed.
• Execute and document all robot interventions, including remote and on-site troubleshooting.
• Support and implement software updates across the fleet.
• Ensure each robot has required SIM card and data connectivity; maintain SIM-to-robot tracking log.
• Manage tools, spare parts, and asset inventory — keep records current and follow procurement protocols.

Skills

Hands-on work

Troubleshooting

English communication

On-site work

Tool usage

Education

Associate/Trade or Bachelors

FIRST robotics involvement

Tools

Hand tools

Diagnostic equipment

Electrical diagnostics

Job description

Company Overview

Robot.com (formerly Kiwibot) is redefining real‑world automation — no sci‑fi, just robots with jobs. Founded in 2017 and rooted in Colombia’s culture of innovation, the company has grown from campus pilots to one of the most active robot fleets on Earth, now operating across more than 30 campuses and cities worldwide. With headquarters in San Francisco and teams in Colombia and Taiwan, Robot.com builds purpose‑driven robots designed for the present: wheeled, reliable, and delightfully functional. Our technology powers last‑mile delivery, mobile advertising, warehouse logistics, and food service operations — all aimed at making everyday systems smarter, faster, and more sustainable.

We recently acquired the Robot.com domain — not for the name, but for the moment. After completing over one million robotic tasks in under a year, we’re scaling a movement that brings robotics out of the lab and into daily life. Our philosophy is simple: robots shouldn’t be overdesigned for imaginary futures — they should be built for real‑world work, now. At Robot.com, you’ll be part of a global team turning that vision into action.

About the Role

The Robot Operations Technician is a full‑time, on‑site role embedded directly in our campus robotics operations. This is a hands‑on job for people who are good with their hands, good with tools, and want to work on real machines that are out in the world every day — not sitting behind a desk.

You’ll be responsible for the day‑to‑day technical health of our robot fleet at the University of California, Irvine. You will be supporting both field operations and logistics.

In your first few weeks you will receive structured onboarding and field training, so you’ll have a solid foundation before you’re running your site on your own.

What You’ll Do

Fleet Maintenance

• Maintain the robot fleet in optimal mechanical, electrical, and software condition at all times
• Perform hardware diagnostics, repairs, and component replacements as needed
• Execute and document all robot interventions, including remote and on‑site troubleshooting
• Support and implement software updates across the fleet
• Ensure each robot has required SIM card and data connectivity; maintain SIM‑to‑robot tracking log
• Manage tools, spare parts, and asset inventory — keep records current and follow procurement protocols
• Support hardware and software field testing as directed
• Prepare maintenance reports on fleet health, incidents, and interventions

Field Operations

• Serve as the primary on‑site point of contact for operations stakeholders at your campus
• Oversee daily fleet deployment and recovery
• Monitor fleet aesthetics and functional readiness; address issues proactively
• Ensure partner restaurants and end‑points have all systems in place to operate with the robot fleet
• Meet operational shift requirements and KPIs, including manual robot loading and direct consumer delivery when required
• Ensure facilities, vehicles, and other company assets are properly managed and compliant with applicable state and local requirements

Logistics & Administration

• Conduct inventory cycle counts within the warehouse
• Coordinate shipping of spare parts, robots, marketing materials, and other company assets
• Maintain accurate operational and performance reports as required
• Occasionally support campus engagement, marketing, and growth activities

What Success Looks Like (12–18 Months)

• Your fleet runs at or above uptime targets with minimal unplanned downtime
• You own your site operations independently — you know your fleet, your campus, and your stakeholders
• Maintenance records, inventory logs, and operational reports are consistently accurate and current
• You’ve deepened your technical knowledge of autonomous systems and can train or mentor incoming team members
• You are a trusted on‑site partner to campus stakeholders and the broader operations team

Who You Are

• You’re energized by hands‑on technical work and take pride in keeping complex systems running
• You’re a self‑starter who can troubleshoot independently and elevate intelligently
• You communicate clearly and proactively — your supervisors and teammates are never in the dark
• You adapt quickly in dynamic environments and don’t wait for perfect conditions to get things done
• You’re organized and detail‑oriented; you maintain records the way you maintain hardware — with care
• You’re curious about robotics and hands‑on technology and motivated to grow within the field

Qualifications

• Prior mechanical and/or hardware experience: Your background could have been in HVAC, computer hardware, EVs, electronics, or even engine mechanics.
• Associate’s Degree, Trade School, and/or Bachelors Degree: Ideally you have an innate excitement for robotics and have participated in FIRST robotics, taken mechanical classes, or have personal robotics experience.
  • A degree in Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Electromechanical, or Mechanical Engineering is a plus, but not required
• Comfortable using hand tools and diagnostic equipment, and troubleshooting mechanical or electrical issues on wheeled or motorized equipment
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to work through issues methodically
• Effective written and verbal communication in English
• Ability to work on‑site full‑time at the assigned campus location
• Ability to lift and handle equipment as part of normal operations

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Range: $18–$25/hour USD, depending on experience, location, and other factors
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Access to professional learning and development resources
• Direct, hands‑on experience with deployed autonomous robotics systems

Other Requirements

• This is a full‑time, on‑site role — remote work is not available
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship
• Ability to travel occasionally as needed based on operational needs
• Ability to work across time zones and collaborate with distributed teams

This role requires the ability to perform the following on a regular basis: standing, walking, and moving across campus and outdoor environments for extended periods; lifting, carrying, and maneuvering equipment and robot hardware up to 50 lbs; bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching to inspect, repair, or deploy equipment; working in varying weather conditions and outdoor settings; operating vehicles or personal transportation between operational sites as needed.

Robot.com is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact [e-mail] during the application process or upon hire.

Robot.com is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, and training.

Employment with Robot.com is at‑will, meaning either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise required by applicable law.