Robotics​/Mechanical​/Field Engineer

Location: NON-REMOTE - IN PERSON
- The Woodlands / Magnolia, TX 77354

Travel Required: Extended trips (up to ~2 weeks at a time)

Industry: Pipeline Integrity / Robotic Crawler Inspection

Citizenship Requirement: Must be a U.S. citizen

Balboa Inspection & Maintenance specializes in robotic inline inspection of pipelines considered “unpiggable” by conventional tools. Our purpose-built robotic crawlers are deployed into tank-to-manifold lines, wharf lines, short runs, dead-legs, and other challenging geometries where failure matters. We integrate:

Normal Beam EMAT thickness mapping

We design, build, and operate our own robotic platforms and support high-consequence operators in oil, gas, chemical, and nuclear environments.

If you want a comfortable desk job, look elsewhere.

This is a hands-on, travel-heavy, field-focused engineering role. You’ll learn our robots inside and out — how to deploy them, operate them, maintain them, and fix them under pressure. The number one job is successfully completing inspections, which means keeping the robot moving no matter what breaks.

Designing new parts and engineering improvements happens when failure forces innovation, not quietly in a conference room. When something breaks, you fix it. When something needs redesigning, you design it. When the job is on the line, you own the solution.

Operate robotic crawlers inside pipelines on live field inspection jobs

Diagnose and repair mechanical/electrical issues quickly and confidently

Travel for extended periods (up to ~2-week trips)

Assemble, maintain, and test inspection robots between deployments

Work directly with customers on-site

Document results and recommend improvements

Assist with design and fabrication of new robotic systems and upgrades

U.S. citizen (mandatory) - This is required by some of our customer’s facilities.

BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Mechatronics Engineering or equivalent experience

Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on troubleshooting skills

Comfort with tools, electronics, wiring, motors, actuators, sensors

Ability to lift heavy loads and work in industrial environments (Ladders, stairs, etc)

Able to travel for extended field operations

Machine shop / fabrication / welding experience

Field service or industrial maintenance background

Robotics, NDE, EMAT, MFL, or PLC experience

We’re a new, small, growing company. There is no rigid hierarchy here — you build the team under you as you prove yourself. Performance matters more than time served, and growth is earned, not awarded based on seniority.

As you master field operations and the robotic platforms, growth paths may include:

Robotic Systems Development — designing and building the next‑generation tools in-house

Field Team Leadership — manage engineering crews in the field

Level III NDE Data Analyst
- Completing our NDE reports and signing off on data

Sales / Business Development — once knowledgeable, transition to our sales team

Marketing & Technical Content — converting field knowledge into real‑world case studies & messaging

Prefers solving real problems in the field rather than sitting at a desk

Thrives under pressure and responsibility

Enjoys travel and hard work with real consequences

Takes pride in being the person who can fix what others can’t

Wants to grow quickly and take ownership

If sitting in an office all day sounds painful — but keeping robots alive sounds like an adventure — then this is your role.

Competitive salary based on ability and experience

Travel per diem + opportunity for field performance bonuses

Health insurance

Paid time off

This work is demanding. It’s unpredictable. It requires grit, capability, and commitment. But if you want real responsibility, real engineering, real challenge, and real growth — we want to talk.

Email your resume to

Ensure the subject line reads "Application
- Robotics Engineer".

In the Body of the email be sure to include the phrase "I read the whole Job Description"

If you graduated less than 2 years ago, include your GPA on a 4.0 scale if it isn’t already on your resume.

This is your first test on attention to detail. ;

-)