Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer

Scion Staffing has been engaged to conduct a search for a Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer for our partner, an established global technology organization advancing robotics, intelligent automation, and physical AI. This is a hybrid position based in the San Jose/San Francisco Bay Area
, with work performed primarily at local partner locations and remote flexibility when not onsite. Candidates must reside in or near the Bay Area.

The Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer will work directly with leading AI developers and robotics partners to integrate intelligent applications onto advanced robotic platforms. This highly visible position combines hands-on robot integration, software development, technical troubleshooting, and partner-facing consulting, with an initial emphasis on robotic arms and manipulators. The engineer will bridge the gap between robotics research and successful real-world deployment while helping shape future platform features based on partner needs.

• Competitive base salary of $150,000–$225,000
  , plus eligibility for a discretionary bonus
• Comprehensive benefits offerings
• Flexible hybrid arrangement with remote work available outside of partner-site engagements
• Direct exposure to emerging physical AI technologies and leading AI and robotics innovators
• High-impact opportunity to influence both partner success and the continued development of advanced robotics platforms

• Serve as the primary technical contact for AI and robotics partners, providing hands-on support during onsite, sprint-style integration engagements that may range from approximately two weeks to one month.
• Develop and adapt production-quality software using Python, ROS2, Linux, and command-line tools to connect partner applications with robotic systems and interfaces.
• Integrate, configure, test, and troubleshoot robotic arms and manipulators, with additional opportunities to support autonomous mobile robotics platforms.
• Diagnose complex issues across software, hardware, sensors, networking, motion planning, trajectory execution, control loops, calibration, timing, and overall system performance.
• Collaborate with partners to design platform capabilities, build reference implementations, create integration examples, and contribute reusable tools and technical guidance.
• Support the integration of perception and learning-based technologies—including pose estimation, path planning, object detection, and related AI models—and communicate real-world partner feedback to internal product and engineering teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field is required; a master’s degree is welcomed.
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in robotics engineering, robotic manipulation, systems integration, or a closely related area.
• Substantial hands-on experience with robotic arms or manipulators, including hardware integration, robot bring-up, testing, debugging, or deployment; mobile robotics experience is an added advantage.
• Strong programming experience with Python, working knowledge of ROS2, and comfort operating in Linux and command-line environments; familiarity with NVIDIA technologies is preferred.
• Practical understanding of robot control, kinematics, motion planning, trajectory execution, communication interfaces, and hardware/software integration.
• At least 1 year of exposure to AI or deep learning in a robotics environment, such as perception, object detection, pose estimation, or path planning; familiarity with simulation tools, vision-language-action models, or robotic foundation models is a plus.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, build credibility with highly technical partners, and spend extended periods working at Bay Area partner locations.

This exciting career opportunity offers a base salary of $150 - 225k/yr (DOE), plus eligibility for a discretionary bonus. The selected candidate will also be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being, and work-life balance. Final…