Robot Autonomy Engineer - Software

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.

At FieldAI, we build autonomous robotic systems that operate in demanding, real-world environments where tight integration between hardware and software is critical. We're looking for a Software Engineer to support testing, deployment, and integration of wheeled robotic platforms across both federal and commercial programs

At FieldAI, you'll be at the forefront of bringing our autonomous systems to life in the real world, owning deployment, integration, and ongoing performance in the field. This role is equal parts engineering and problem-solving. You'll work hands-on with both customers and our internal teams to ensure successful operations, rapidly incorporate field feedback to improve reliability and performance, and drive adoption so our systems become mission-critical from day one.

If you thrive in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments; proactive, adaptable, resilient, you'll make it happen.

• Drive strategic integration, debugging, and rapid capability development while providing essential software support.
• Build robust utilities and tools to facilitate integration and automated testing for system software builds.
• Provide high-level technical expertise and analytical insights to advance the development of robust software architectures.

• 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.
• Proven expertise in software engineering across the full program lifecycle, with a focus on early-stage system design and development.
• Experience/Familiarity with robotics middleware such as ROS / ROS 2 or similar distributed robotics software systems.
• Experience/Familiarity with distributed systems (multiple nodes, real-time comms).
• Experience/Familiarity with embedded systems (C/C++ on constrained hardware).
• Ability to work effectively across adjacent domains, including software, electronics, networking, and mechanical interfaces.
• Proven track record managing complex programs with multiple dependencies in agile/hybrid frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to executives and diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical capabilities, with experience in financial modeling, ROI analysis, and tracking KPIs.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-growth startup environments; proactive, adaptable, resilient.

• Experience deploying, operating, or maintaining mission-critical systems in real-world environments.
• Experience using Jira or Wrike or Confluence or other program management software tools.
• Ability to work directly with customers in high-stakes, fast-paced settings, translating needs into technical solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Willingness to travel and work on-site with customers as needed.

$100,000 - $200,000 a year

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,…