Robotics Maintenance Specialist, Frontier AI & Robotics (FAR)

Socket.dev; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Parental leave

Health insurance

Job summary

Amazon's Frontier AI & Robotics (FAR) team seeks a Robotics Maintenance Specialist to own maintenance, repair, and readiness of robotic hardware platforms, test systems, and lab infrastructure. The role emphasizes predictive maintenance, troubleshooting, and enabling researchers to iterate quickly with maximum hardware availability.

The position may be individual contributor or lead, with potential to supervise contract maintenance technicians.

Qualifications

• Experience with predictive and preventive maintenance in robotics.
• Associate degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical Technology, or related field.
• 3+ years maintaining robotics, autonomous systems, or R&D lab gear.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical and mechanical schematics.
• Hands-on with motors, actuators, sensors, and control systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve robotic and electromechanical systems including manipulators and autonomous subsystems.
• Design, build, and improve custom electrical harnesses and robotic modifications with emphasis on reliability.
• Replace and repair electrical components and mechanical components across robotic systems.
• Troubleshoot and repair PLCs, motor controllers, embedded electronics, and sensors; read electrical/mechanical diagrams.
• Develop preventive/corrective maintenance processes, SOPs, and maintenance plans for robotic systems.
• Track spare-parts needs and coordinate with supply chain for critical components.
• Coordinate with vendors for support and oversee repairs when needed.
• Coordinate robot fleet check-in/check-out to maximize equipment utilization.

Skills

Preventive maintenance

Troubleshooting

Robotics maintenance

Schematic reading

Education

Associate degree in Mechatronics/Robotics/Electrical Tech

Bachelor's degree in technical field

Tools

ROS

Embedded Linux

Robotic middleware

PLC programming

Job description

Amazon's Frontier AI & Robotics (FAR) team is building advanced robotic systems that will transform autonomous operations. Our mission is to push the boundaries of what's possible in robotics, developing next-generation hardware platforms that operate in complex, real-world environments.

FAR is seeking a Robotics Maintenance Specialist who will own day-to-day maintenance, repair, and operational readiness of our robotic hardware platforms, test systems, and lab infrastructure. This hands-on role focuses on keeping FAR's robotic platforms running at peak performance through predictive and preventive maintenance, expert troubleshooting, custom fabrication, and building team capability through mentorship and knowledge sharing. You'll work directly with engineers and researchers who design and build cutting-edge robotic systems, ensuring maximum hardware availability so the team can iterate fast without interruption.

This role may serve as an individual contributor or a technical lead/supervisor depending on the candidate's experience and aspirations. Candidates with team leadership experience may supervise and direct a team of contract maintenance technicians.

Key job responsibilities

Maintenance, Fabrication & Repair

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve a diverse fleet of robotic and electromechanical systems, including manipulators, mobile robots, and autonomous vehicle subsystems
• Design, build, and improve custom electrical harnesses, cable assemblies, and robotic modifications with emphasis on proper cable routing, strain relief, and system reliability
• Replace and repair electrical components (motor drivers, relays, sensors, power distribution) and mechanical components (bearings, gears, actuators, drivetrain assemblies, end-effectors)
• Troubleshoot and repair control systems including PLCs, motor controllers, embedded electronics, and sensor arrays; read and interpret electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic schematics
• Develop and execute preventive and corrective maintenance processes, SOPs, and maintenance plans for robotic systems
• Develop and implement failure-tracking systems to capture robotic failures, identify trends, perform root-cause analysis, and proactively reduce recurring issues
• Coordinate with robotics vendors for technical support, repairs, and replacement strategies; oversee vendor repairs while maintaining direct involvement in critical repairs
• Track spare-parts needs and maintain inventory records; coordinate with supply chain to ensure adequate stock levels for critical components

Lab, Fleet & Researcher Support

• Develop and manage robot fleet check-in/check-out processes to maximize equipment utilization and ensure researchers have access to operational robots
• Maintain laboratory and testing environments in a clean, organized, safe, and ready-to-use condition; maintain and calibrate test fixtures and measurement equipment
• Coordinate the setup, configuration, and deployment of high-value robotic assets; support lab reconfiguration, hardware integration, and prototype bring-up activities
• Serve as the primary maintenance point of contact for researchers, interns, and project teams; establish strong communication to understand requirements and develop practical solutions
• Review incoming requests, define scope and execution plans, establish timelines, and provide hands-on technical support to minimize equipment-related delays

Team Coordination & Continuous Improvement

• Supervise and direct a team of maintenance technicians, including defining daily and weekly priorities, assigning work, and ensuring alignment with project objectives
• Develop project plans, coordinate people, equipment, materials, and logistics; monitor progress, identify risks, and drive issues to resolution
• Cross-train technicians on common robotic failures, troubleshooting methodologies, and maintenance best practices; author and refine training documentation
• Analyze maintenance and failure data to identify improvement opportunities; partner with engineering teams to drive design changes that improve reliability
• Identify recurring hardware failures and develop standardized troubleshooting procedures and SOPs
• Build strong working relationships with researchers, technicians, project managers, engineering teams, and external vendors
• Continuously improve maintenance processes, lab operations, and documentation to support a rapidly changing research environment

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of conducting predictive and preventative maintenance procedures experience
• Associate's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical Technology, or related technical field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 3+ years of maintenance experience in robotics, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing/technology, or R&D lab environments, including hands-on mechanical and electrical repair of complex electromechanical systems
• Proficiency reading and troubleshooting electrical and mechanical schematics
• Hands-on experience with motors, actuators, sensors, control systems, and diagnostic equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field
• 5+ years of maintenance experience, including direct experience maintaining robotic systems (industrial robots, mobile platforms, manipulators, or autonomous vehicles)
• Experience supervising or directing a team of maintenance technicians or skilled trades workers
• Hands-on experience designing and building custom electrical harnesses, cable assemblies, or robotic modifications
• PLC programming or configuration experience; familiarity with ROS, embedded Linux, or robotic middleware systems

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, San Francisco - 128,000.00 - 214,000.00 USD annually