Description
UGV Systems Engineer – Robotics Hardware
Team: Area 6: Hardware
Location: Irvine, CA
Commitment: Full time
Workplace Type: onsite
Salary:
Compensation and Benefits
Our salary range is between ($70,000 - $300,000 annual), but we take into consideration an individual's background and experience in determining final salary; base pay offered may vary considerably depending on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Also, while we enjoy being together on-site, we are open to exploring a hybrid or remote option.
About Field AI
Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications.
Hardware Team
The Hardware Team at Field AI develops perception and compute payloads that power autonomous robotics systems in complex real-world environments. Our work spans the full hardware stack designing and integrating sensing systems (LiDAR, camera, TOF, IMU, GPS), embedded compute (CPUs, GPUs, microcontrollers, ROS, sensor drivers), electrical systems (power distribution, communication), and mechanical components (structures, thermal regulation, ingress protection). The team focuses on both development (research, design, prototyping, testing) and operations (production, testing, QA, debugging). We’re a small, fast-moving team, and we care deeply about improving: 1) core capabilities, 2) system reliability, 3) system scalability. As a growing team we are also building operational systems and procedures from the ground up.
UGV Systems Engineer Role
The UGV integration position will focus on integrating full stack autonomy hardware (sensors, computers, electromechanical systems) with wheeled Unmanned Ground Vehicles. This role will coordinate a team of electrical, mechanical, and computing engineers while also working closely with autonomy teams.
What You Will Get To Do
- Collaboratively direct the architecture and implementation of the UGV sensing and computing hardware to enable autonomy.
- Direct sensor and compute payload integration: LiDAR, depth/stereo cameras, IMU/GNSS, embedded compute platforms (NVIDIA/Intel), time synchronization, ROS/ROS2 middleware.
- Direct electrical design and platform integration: vehicle power distribution, onboard DC/AC systems, CAN/Ethernet networks, wiring harnesses, E-stop/fault handling, diagnostics.
- Direct mechanical integration activities: platform mounting on a wheeled UGV, ruggedization including vibration/thermal/ingress protection, ingress/egress for maintainability.
- Define and execute field-test readiness: develop test plans (thermal, vibration, EMI/EMC, power, latency/data integrity), lead debugging workflows and field root-cause analysis.
- Collaborate with autonomy software: drive hardware/sensor requirements aligned with autonomy algorithms, lead trade-offs across compute, power, sensing and mechanical constraints.
- Manage vendors and procurement: select sensors, compute modules, harnesses, mechanical components; establish QA checks; drive production readiness and scaling.
- Mentor 2-3 engineers, run design reviews, manage project timeline, ensure hardware documentation (I/O maps, sensor maps, launch files, configuration management).
- Work within a security-conscious environment; U.S. citizenship and experience with cleared programs preferred.
What You Should Have
- Education & Experience
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering or related field.
- Several years of experience (5+ years) working with field robotics platforms (UGVs, wheeled/off-road vehicles, quadrupeds, etc.). Ideally with experience across sensors, compute, mechanical and electrical systems.
- Proven experience leading hardware programs and engineers through to field deployment.
- Embedded compute experience: NVIDIA Jetson, Intel NUC/ARM SBCs, Linux, ROS/ROS2, sensor driver integration, coding (C++, python).Sensor integration: LiDAR, depth/stereo cameras, IMU/GNSS, supporting buses (USB, Ethernet, CAN, GMSL, SPI/I²C).Sensor synchronization: Strong familiarity with multi-sensor time synchronization (PTP/NTP/PPS), spatial calibration (TF trees, URDF), and autonomy impact.
- Electrical systems: power architecture, onboard vehicle power, harness design, safety interlocks, fault diagnostics, CAN/Ethernet.
- Mechanical/packaging: mounting sensors/compute on mobile platforms, vibration/thermal/ingress isolation, ruggedization for outdoor/field use, CAD design, thermal / structural analysis.
- Systems-level design thinking: ability to trade between compute/thermal/power/sensor/performance constraints.
- Field deployment experience: real-world testing in harsh environments (vibration, dust, extreme temperatures, EMI), root-cause analysis, QA and production readiness.
- Strong cross-discipline collaboration and communication skills. Ability to work with teams across autonomy software, hardware, and field operations.
- U.S. citizenship strongly preferred. Experience with or eligibility for security clearance (Secret, TS/SCI) highly desirable.
Technical Skills & Attributes
What Will Set You Apart
- Experience taking a robotic/mobile platform from prototype to field deployment.
- Previous work on UGVs (e.g., Warthog, Husky, Jackal) or heavy-duty wheeled/off-road robotics.
- Active or past government/defense security clearance.
- Experience in start-up robotics environments: ownership, hands-on, field test mindset.
Why Join Field AI?
We are solving one of the world’s most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models™ set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.
You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.
Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution
To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision — innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We’re seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.
We are headquartered in always-sunny Irvine, Southern California and have US based and global teammates.
Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close-knit team on an exciting journey!
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
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