Sr Robotics Systems Engineer

Fresh Consulting; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresh Consulting seeks a Systems Engineer / System Lead to oversee hardware and software system design for client projects. You will partner with TPM and engineering teams to ensure on-time delivery and quality across multi-disciplinary hardware products.

The role requires 8+ years in hardware development and 4+ years leading system design, with strong communication for client-facing activities. Washington-based base salary range applies, with a focus on delivering complex, integrated solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, computer engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of hardware product development experience with strong individual contributor background.
• 4+ years of leadership in a system design role for hardware/software products with strong client-facing skills.
• Proficiency with industry-standard project management tools and methodologies.
• Experience in system architecture, integration, and validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead system design and architecture for client projects, ensuring robust, innovative hardware systems.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and mentor engineers and designers to deliver on schedule and budget.
• Manage project schedules, resources, risks, and client communication to align with business goals.

Skills

Leadership

System design

Client liaison

Project management

Hardware development

Software development

Communication skills

Validation

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

We are Fresh. Together let’s build the future. With partners and clients, we practice strategy, design, development, and engineering to harness the power of technology and create what's next.

Our cross-disciplinary approach blends human ingenuity and technology, empowering us to meet uncertainty with confidence. What got us to today won’t get us to tomorrow, so we test our assumptions and always strive for growth. From the products we build to the partners we collaborate with, we believe people make the difference.And we do so as a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive.

Why join Fresh?

Fresh Consulting is a fast-paced, design-led, software development and hardware engineering company, offering end-to-end services to help companies innovate. We bring together amazing UX designers, sophisticated developers, digital strategists, and top-notch engineers to help companies create fresh experiences that connect humans, systems, and machines. As we continue to grow, our internal teams need to grow with us—and that starts with you. See more at freshconsulting.com.

What are we looking for?

We seek a highly skilled and motivated Systems Engineer / System Lead to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will oversee the system design efforts for our client projects and programs and be the face of Fresh while partnering alongside the TPM (Technical Project Manager) and the rest of the engineering, design, and strategic delivery team. You will play a critical role in ensuring successful project execution, on‑time delivery, and quality performance of multi-disciplinary hardware product development projects.

What will you be doing?

A Systems Engineer in the Fresh organization is a pivotal player in driving large, integrated software and hardware projects. Ideally, that means a Fresh Systems Engineer has experience in both hardware and software product development. In addition, a Fresh Systems Engineer has a high degree of expertise in understanding how to help lead multi-disciplinary teams. This includes supporting strategy and delivery of key product development phases across the scope, definition, engineering, and design phases of complex hardware and software innovation products. A Systems Engineer has experience communicating with clients to understand the key business drivers and problems being solved by the product/project. A Systems Engineer is also considering the long‑term goals of the client and how we best fit within their roadmap.Professionals with a high quota for understanding and traversing business needs, balanced with understanding the details and technical requirements, will excel in this role. Acting as an individual contributor, however, this role has an outsized need for leadership through influence, strong intuition backed by experience and domain expertise, and someone capable of managing communication across internal and external leadership roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership: Act as a technical point of contact for clients, including regular updates on project progress and addressing any technical and product development plan concerns. Work closely with the project management team. Keep an eye on the big‑picture project and client‑product direction, team needs, and dependencies while understanding the detailed work plans of the contributing teams. Partner with the Technical Project Manager to develop and maintain project schedules, resource plans, and budgets to meet project objectives. Proactively identify and mitigate risks, resolving technical and programmatic issues as they arise. Working directly with the delivery team and the client to build solutions. Provide the technical interface between the client and the delivery team.
• System Lead: Coordinate and lead the system design and architecture for client projects, ensuring the development of robust, innovative, and cost‑effective hardware systems. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including strategy consultants, hardware engineers, software engineers, and industrial designers, to develop product development plans effectively. Define system requirements, specifications, and performance metrics. Ensure they are met throughout the development process. Develop plans and oversee system‑level testing, validation, and troubleshooting to ensure the system meets all functional and performance criteria.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate project activities and resources by working closely with project managers, strategists, industrial designers, engineers, and other team members. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Support the project estimation team in evaluating new opportunities and providing technical and timeline input.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, computer engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience developing hardware products with significant experience as an individual contributor and subject matter expert.
• 4+ years of leadership experience in a system design role for hardware/software/software productsStrong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to interface with clients effectively.
• Proficiency with industry-standard project management tools and methodologies.
• Experience with system architecture, integration, and validation.
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices in hardware development.
• Exceptional problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Proven experience in Product Management is a plus.
• Experience in delivering multiple large‑scale, industrial, enterprise, or consumer‑facing products successfully, on schedule, and on budget

For a Washington‑State‑based role, the base salary hiring range for this position is $130,000 to $160,000. Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non‑sensory disabilities.

*Fresh Consulting is an E‑Verify participating company