Robotics Systems Engineer

Posted 3 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
San Mateo, CA, USA
In-Office
175K-275K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Robotics • Business Intelligence
The Role
Own system-level architecture, integration, testing, and reliability for robotic platforms spanning mechanical, electrical, embedded, and machine learning systems. Define specifications, interfaces, power budgets, sensor suites, communication architectures, and qualification pipelines. Lead hardware bring-up, functional testing, diagnostics, FMEA, and root-cause investigations. Collaborate with ML, mechanical design, and manufacturing teams to convert software goals into hardware requirements and validate robots for reliable field deployment.
Summary Generated by Built In
Company Overview

At Skild AI, we are building the world's first general purpose robotic intelligence that is robust and adapts to unseen scenarios without failing. We believe massive scale through data-driven machine learning is the key to unlocking these capabilities for the widespread deployment of robots within society. Our team consists of individuals with varying levels of experience and backgrounds, from new graduates to domain experts. Relevant industry experience is important, but ultimately less so than your demonstrated abilities and attitude. We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to explore uncharted waters and contribute to our innovative projects.


Position Overview

We are seeking a Robotics Systems Engineer to own the system-level architecture, integration, and reliability of a new robotic platform. You will work across mechanical design, electrical integration, embedded firmware, and ML policy deployment. You will shape product architecture decisions and prove the platform is ready through testing against external standards and internal targets.

Responsibilities
  • Define system-level specifications, interfaces, power budgets, and sensor suites across diverse robot morphologies, including quadrupeds, humanoids, and custom mobility platforms.
  • Drive hands-on bring-up of new sensors, compute payloads, actuation systems, and custom power distribution architectures on third-party and in-house robotic hardware.
  • Build hardware qualification pipelines, end-of-line functional tests, and diagnostic frameworks to verify system readiness before field deployment.
  • Perform FMEA and run rapid root-cause investigations on hardware failures seen in field operation or aggressive policy stress testing.
  • Partner with ML research engineers, mechanical design teams, and manufacturing technicians to turn software performance goals into hardware requirements and physical test fixtures.
  • Standardize sensor sync protocols, communication topologies (CAN bus, EtherCAT, Ethernet, GMSL), and cabling architectures for hardware survivability in high-impact industrial operations.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, mechatronics, or robotics hardware development.
  • Strong fluency across mechanical assemblies, custom wire harnessing, power electronics, sensor integration (LiDAR, depth cameras, IMUs, encoders, load cells, force/torque sensors), and embedded communication protocols (CAN, EtherCAT, SPI, UART, GMSL).
  • Proficiency with Linux-based robotics tools (ROS/ROS2, system telemetry), bench debugging equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers), and test scripting in Python/C++.
  • Proven experience taking complex electromechanical or robotic products from zero-to-one prototyping through verification and high-reliability field deployment.
  • Experience deploying ML policies or AI-driven control loops directly onto physical hardware.
  • Hands-on experience with industrial functional safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508) or EMI/EMC compliance for mobility platforms.
  • Background with high-performance BLDC actuators, cycloidal/harmonic drive gearboxes, and high-density battery management systems.
  • Thrives in fast-paced startup environments with ambiguous requirements and tight iteration loops.

Base Salary Range
$175,000—$275,000 USD

Skills Required

  • 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, mechatronics, or robotics hardware development
  • Experience with mechanical assemblies, custom wire harnesses, power electronics, sensor integration, and embedded communication protocols
  • Proficiency with Linux-based robotics tools, ROS/ROS2, system telemetry, bench debugging equipment, and Python/C++ test scripting
  • Experience taking complex electromechanical or robotic products from prototyping through verification and high-reliability field deployment
  • Experience deploying machine learning policies or AI-driven control loops onto physical hardware
  • Experience with industrial functional safety standards ISO 13849 or IEC 61508, or EMI/EMC compliance
  • Experience with high-performance BLDC actuators, cycloidal or harmonic drive gearboxes, and high-density battery management systems
  • Ability to work in fast-paced startup environments with ambiguous requirements and tight iteration cycles
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Pittsburgh, PA
24 Employees
Year Founded: 2023

What We Do

Building general purpose robotic intelligence

Similar Jobs

Raydar Logo Raydar

Systems Engineer

Professional Services • Consulting
In-Office
San Francisco, CA, USA
28 Employees
185K-213K Annually
In-Office or Remote
8 Locations
4 Employees
180K-220K Annually

Raydar Logo Raydar

Systems Engineer

Professional Services • Consulting
In-Office
San Francisco, CA, USA
28 Employees
185K-213K Annually
In-Office
South San Francisco, CA, USA
112 Employees
150K-185K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Unusual Machines, Inc. Thumbnail
Hardware • Robotics
Orlando, FL
300 Employees
Blee Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Marketing Tech • Software
New York, New York
33 Employees
Vega Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Automotive • Insurance • Transportation
US
65 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account