Support Engineer

skildai-careers; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Skild AI in California is hiring a Support Engineer to keep fleet uptime and guide hardware prototypes from concept through validation. You will diagnose electromechanical issues, triage failures across a growing fleet, and work with cross‑functional teams to drive rapid iteration.

The role requires hands‑on hardware experience, CAD design in Onshape, and proficiency with lab equipment. Remote‑friendly? Onsite in California. Competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in prototype, development, or failure‑analysis lab.
• Experience with robotic/vehicle hardware: PCBAs, harnesses, sensors, power systems.
• Ability to read PCBA schematics, cable drawings, and test procedures.
• Proficiency in parametric CAD for parts, fixtures, and assemblies (Onshape preferred).

Responsibilities

• Own fleet uptime: troubleshoot, root‑cause, and repair electromechanical issues across fleet.
• Track failures across the fleet, identify recurring issues, and write root‑cause reports.
• Drive rapid prototypes end to end: build, test, and iterate on sub‑assemblies and full systems.
• Design in CAD and fabricate test fixtures, jigs, enclosures, and harnesses; produce machining‑ready drawings.
• Read and interpret schematics, PCB layouts, and cable drawings to bring up PCBA and harnesses.
• Operate standard bench equipment and perform PCBA rework to IPC standards.
• Document prototyping phases, test procedures, and failure analyses; manage design files under version control.

Skills

Root-cause analysis

Electromechanical troubleshooting

Scripting (Python/Bash)

Team collaboration

Education

BS/MS in Mechatronics, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Onshape CAD

Bench/test equipment

Job description

Company Overview

At Skild AI, we are building the world's first general purpose robotic intelligence that is robust and adapts to unseen scenarios without failing. We believe massive scale through data-driven machine learning is the key to unlocking these capabilities for the widespread deployment of robots within society. Our team consists of individuals with varying levels of experience and backgrounds, from new graduates to domain experts. Relevant industry experience is important, but ultimately less so than your demonstrated abilities and attitude. We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to explore uncharted waters and contribute to our innovative projects.

Position Overview

We are looking for a Support Engineer to develop the systems and processes that ensure quality, reliability, and performance across our robotics and autonomous platforms. This role is hands‑on with integrated hardware systems and entails building prototypes, designing/fabricating test setups in CAD, debugging/diagnosing electromechanical issues, and supporting manufacturing workflows.

You’ll split your time between fleet support and prototyping: triaging electromechanical failures across deployed units, running the repair and RMA workflow from intake to return to service, and taking new hardware from concept through CAD, fabrication, bring‑up, and validation. You’ll track failures across the fleet, pull logs and telemetry to separate hardware faults from software faults, and turn recurring issues into clear root‑cause reports that shape the next design. You’ll work directly with Electrical, Mechanical, and Firmware Engineers to accelerate iteration, raise reliability, and lay the groundwork for scalable production.

Responsibilities

• Own fleet uptime: troubleshoot, root‑cause, and repair electromechanical issues across a growing fleet with minimal supervision, and run the repair/RMA workflow from intake through return to service.
• Track failures across the fleet, identify recurring issues, and write clear root‑cause reports that drive design and process fixes.
• Drive rapid prototypes end to end: build, test, and iterate on sub‑assemblies, feasibility units, and full systems alongside other engineering teams.
• Design in CAD and fabricate custom test fixtures, jigs, enclosures, and harnesses; produce machining‑ready drawings using GD&T.
• Read and interpret schematics, PCB layouts, and cable drawings to bring up, test, troubleshoot, and rework PCBAs and create custom harnesses.
• Operate standard bench equipment (oscilloscopes, logic/spectrum analyzers, programmable power supplies, DMMs) and perform PCBA and cable rework to IPC standards.
• Use the command line to flash firmware, pull and parse logs over SSH or serial console, and run diagnostic scripts during debug and bring‑up.
• Document prototyping phases, test procedures, and failure analyses clearly; manage design files and documentation under version control; source and procure components, and maintain organized BOMs for prototypes.
• Maintain and troubleshoot lithium battery systems across the fleet: safe handling and charging, monitoring BMS behavior, and diagnosing pack and cell‑level faults.
• Work with embedded communication protocols (CAN, UART, I2C, SPI) and common robotics sensors (IMU, GPS, cameras, LiDAR).

Preferred Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechatronics, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with 3+ years in a prototype, development, or failure‑analysis lab.
• Experience with robotic, vehicle, or drone hardware: PCBAs, harnesses, actuators, sensors, and power systems.
• Demonstrated ability to root‑cause hardware failures methodically from first principles, communicate findings clearly, and act on them.
• Proficiency in parametric CAD for parts, fixtures, and assemblies (Onshape preferred).
• Solid working knowledge of circuits, power distribution, signal integrity, and common electrical components, with the ability to independently read PCBA schematics, cable drawings, and test procedures.
• SMD soldering and rework down to 0402, including hot‑air and microscope work.
• Crimping, rework, and harness assembly to IPC‑A‑610 / IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 standards; familiarity with connector families and electrical components.
• Strong mechanical fundamentals: tolerance and fit analysis, material selection, fastener and vibration best practices, and DFM for printed, machined, and sheet metal parts.
• Experience with FDM/SLA 3D printing and basic machine shop skills.
• Comfort in Linux, macOS, and Windows terminals (bash, SSH, serial tools) and basic Python or bash scripting.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced environment where priorities and hardware change quickly.

Base Salary Range

$70,000 - $150,000 USD