Staff ML Systems Engineer, Distributed Systems

Field AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Field AI in Irvine is seeking a Senior / Staff ML Systems Engineer to architect and build distributed infrastructure that supports large-scale machine learning workflows. This role combines machine learning, distributed systems, and platform engineering, ensuring scalable systems for data processing and model training.

Join our innovative team to solve real-world challenges in robotics by collaborating with experts from various leading organizations. We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Experience with machine learning workflows and platforms.
• Proficiency in designing scalable systems and infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of data processing and model evaluation pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Architect and build distributed infrastructure for machine learning.
• Design scalable systems that support data processing and model training.
• Define architectural patterns and tools for the ML platform.

Skills

Machine learning

Distributed systems

Platform engineering

Data processing

Model training

Job description

FieldAI’s Irvine team is where embodied AI meets real robots, real sensors, and real field deployments. Based in the heart of Southern California’s robotics ecosystem, we build risk-aware, reliable, field-ready AI systems that solve the hardest problems in robotics and unlock the full potential of embodied intelligence. If you want your work to ship, get tested on hardware, and improve through real deployments, Irvine is the place. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-only architectures, combining rigorous engineering with learning systems proven in globally deployed solutions that deliver results today and get better every time our robots run in the field.

We are seeking a Senior / Staff ML Systems Engineer to architect and build the distributed infrastructure that powers large-scale machine learning workflows across the organization.

This role sits at the intersection of machine learning, distributed systems, and platform engineering. You will be responsible for designing scalable systems that support data processing, model training, evaluation, and post-processing pipelines while enabling ML teams to efficiently develop, operate, and scale production-grade workflows.

You will play a critical role in defining the architectural patterns, tooling, and infrastructure that underpin our machine learning platform.

Our salary range is generous and we consider each individual’s background and experience when determining final compensation. Base pay may vary based on role scope, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and the Irvine, California market.

Why Join FieldAI in Irvine?

In Irvine, you will work where the robots are. Our local team builds and tests systems on real hardware with real sensors, then ships them to operate in unstructured, previously unknown environments around the world. We are solving one of robotics’ hardest challenges: reliable deployment outside the lab. Our Field Foundational Models raise the bar for perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, with an emphasis on explainability and safety for real-world use.

You will collaborate with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. We bring deep experience from organizations such as DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, along with a track record of field deployments and strong performance in DARPA challenge segments.

Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution

We are looking for builders who want their work to leave the whiteboard and show up on robots. If you enjoy tackling tough, uncharted questions and working across disciplines, you will find your people here. Our teams span AI, software, robotics engineering, product, field deployment, and technical communication, all focused on shipping systems that perform in the real world.

Our headquarters is in Irvine, and we partner closely with teams there as well as colleagues across the US and around the world. Join us in Southern California and help define what dependable, field-ready autonomy looks like.

We value diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We evaluate candidates and employees based on merit, qualifications, and performance, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.