In today's dynamic worksites, seamless collaboration between people and machines is essential. FORT's platform ensures safe, secure, and dynamic control that surpasses legacy systems and next-generation AI capabilities.
While autonomous machines offer significant advantages, they also introduce new safety challenges. FORT addresses these concerns by providing solutions such as the Wireless E-Stop, which allows operators to instantly stop any machine from a safe distance, enhancing safety during emergencies.
Additionally, FORT's Safe Remote Control enables operators to manage heavy machinery remotely, reducing the risk of accidents and improving visibility.
By ensuring communications integrity across any network, FORT empowers customers to protect their most valuable assets—people, data, and machines—ensuring they remain safe and secure.
The Senior Customer Solutions Engineer is a high-impact individual contributor role for a seasoned technical engineer who thrives at the intersection of complex systems and customer outcomes. You will own FORT's most demanding customer integrations end-to-end — from integration design through deployment — while serving as a deep technical resource for the broader Customer Solutions team. You'll bring hard-won field expertise, sharp judgment on safety-critical systems, and the credibility to lead technical conversations at any level of a customer organization.
This role requires deep technical expertise, strong customer communication skills, and the ability to operate autonomously across fast-paced industrial environments and strategic accounts.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Integration Ownership
- Lead technical engagements at FORT's most strategic customers, owning integration outcomes for FORT wireless E-Stop and remote-control products into AGVs, AMRs, and custom automation platforms
- Travel to customer sites (up to 25%) to drive integration design, troubleshoot complex implementation challenges, and ensure full functional and safety compliance
- Lead integration design reviews, site assessments, and architecture discussions with senior customer engineering stakeholders
- Serve as a primary point of escalation for complex technical issues — diagnose, resolve, and document for future reference
Technical Architecture & Safety
- Define and advise on integration architecture, including CAN bus topology, wiring schematics, and API-based software integration across diverse customer platforms
- Apply and champion functional safety principles to validate safety-rated system designs; serve as a subject-matter expert on safety compliance for both internal teams and customers
- Conduct trade studies to evaluate technical options and provide clear recommendations with supporting rationale
- Assess the impact of proposed engineering changes across hardware, firmware, software, and safety domains
Cross-Functional Influence
- Partner with Product and Engineering to translate field insights into roadmap improvements — identify recurring integration friction points and influence product direction
- Represent FORT in escalations, technical executive briefings, and key account reviews
- Contribute reusable integration guides, field playbooks, and technical documentation that raises the bar for the whole Customer Solutions team
- Share expertise with peers through case reviews and technical deep-dives that convert hard-won field experience into team knowledge
Required Qualifications
Experience
- 4+ years in systems engineering, field applications, or technical integration in robotics or industrial automation
- Proven track record leading complex customer integrations from kickoff through deployment with minimal oversight
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a senior technical authority — owning outcomes, not just tasks
- Experience influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority
- Ability to travel up to 30%, including international travel
Technical Skills
- Deep hands-on experience with CAN bus protocols and API integration in industrial contexts
- Strong working knowledge of electrical systems, control schematics, and functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 13849, IEC 61508)
- Ability to read and interpret wiring schematics, electrical diagrams, and system architecture documentation
- Comfort navigating ambiguity in complex, multi-vendor integration environments
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience as a field engineer at a robotics, automation, or industrial controls company
- Experience integrating wireless control or E-Stop systems into mobile robotics platforms
- Familiarity with ROS, PLC-based systems, or industrial protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus)
- Experience contributing to the product roadmap or playing a customer-zero / design-partner role on new product development
- Background building or contributing to technical playbooks, onboarding materials, or field documentation
Work Style
Remote, United States. Travel up to 25–30% to customer sites, with flexibility for strategic account needs. Philadelphia-area candidates welcome to work from FORT's office.
Skills Required
- 4+ years in systems engineering, field applications, or technical integration in robotics or industrial automation
- Proven track record leading complex customer integrations from kickoff through deployment
- Operate as a senior technical authority owning integration outcomes
- Experience influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority
- Ability to travel up to 30%, including international travel
- Deep hands-on experience with CAN bus protocols and API integration in industrial contexts
- Strong working knowledge of electrical systems, control schematics, and functional safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508)
- Ability to read and interpret wiring schematics, electrical diagrams, and system architecture documentation
- Comfort navigating ambiguity in complex, multi-vendor integration environments
- Prior experience as a field engineer at a robotics, automation, or industrial controls company
- Experience integrating wireless control or E-Stop systems into mobile robotics platforms
- Familiarity with ROS, PLC-based systems, or industrial protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus)
- Experience contributing to product roadmap or acting as customer-zero / design-partner on new product development
- Background building or contributing to technical playbooks, onboarding materials, or field documentation
What We Do
FORT Robotics is building a first-of-its kind safety and security platform for smart machines. FORT’s mission is to unlock the full potential of automation by accelerating development, reducing risk, and building trust in autonomous systems. Based in Philadelphia, FORT provides solutions for machines in a variety of industries, including warehousing, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, turf care and last mile delivery.
