Robotics Autonomy Engineer, Systems

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.

About the Job

At FieldAI, we’re building autonomy for robots that operate in the real world, in harsh environments, and under challenging conditions where traditional sensing breaks down. We’re looking for a Robotics Autonomy Engineer, Systems to own and advance perception capabilities for our federal autonomy programs. In this role, you will lead development of the perception stack for robots operating in unstructured terrains, taking responsibility for performance, robustness, and deployment on new platforms and sensor configurations. You’ll work hands-on across software and hardware for integrating LiDAR, RADAR and multispectral, and sensing into production autonomy systems and delivering capabilities that directly support customers.

1. Build and Maintain Perception Systems

• Design, implement, and maintain perception systems for autonomous robots operating in real-world environments.

• Develop robust localization and mapping capabilities that perform reliably in unstructured, off-road, and field conditions.

• Continuously evaluate and improve perception performance through testing, iteration, and field validation.

2. Develop and Integrate Sensor-Based Perception

• Implement perception algorithms that fuse data from multiple sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, RADAR and inertial sensors.

• Support the integration of new sensing modalities and sensor configurations as robotic platforms evolve.

• Ensure perception software operates reliably across simulation and real-world deployments.

3. Deploy Perception Software on Real Robots

• Bring perception algorithms from development to deployment on physical robotic systems.

• Debug and resolve issues discovered during on-robot testing and field operations.

• Collaborate with autonomy, controls, and platform teams to ensure perception systems integrate cleanly into the full autonomy stack.

4. Improve System Robustness and Scalability

• Contribute to code quality, testing, and long-term maintainability of perception systems.

• Develop tools, metrics, and tests to monitor performance and catch regressions over time.

• Help scale perception solutions across multiple robots, environments, and missions.
  

5. Collaborate Across Teams

• Work closely with engineers, researchers, and operators to define perception requirements and deliver reliable solutions.

• Communicate technical designs, tradeoffs, and results clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Support field operations and customer demonstrations by ensuring perception systems are production-ready.

• PhD degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field or MS degree in a related field with 2+ years of industry or applied research experience, or BS degree in a related field with 4+ years of relevant experience.

• Strong background in robot perception, localization, and mapping (SLAM) for real-world robotic systems.

• Hands-on experience developing and deploying perception software in field robotics environments (not just simulation).

• Proficiency in modern robotics software development (C++, Python) and ROS/ROS2 based systems.

• Experience working with robot perception and state estimation (VIO, LIO, mapping, sensor fusion etc.).

• Ability to take ownership of complex subsystems, from design through field deployment and long-term maintenance.

• Comfort working close to hardware, including debugging sensor data, calibration, and real-world failures.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to operate independently in fast-moving, small teams.

• Experience with thermal, LWIR, or multispectral passive sensing for robotic perception.

• Experience integrating and calibrating custom sensor rigs (e.g., stereo, thermal, or multi-LiDAR setups).

• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, performance regression testing, and benchmarking for perception systems.

• Experience aligning or unifying perception stacks across multiple platforms or product lines.

• Demonstrated leadership in research, field operations, or mentoring junior engineers and researchers.

• Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and modern DevOps practices.

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.

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.

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.