3mo ago
USD 150,000–250,000 per year

Senior Reality Capture Engineer, Robotics Hardware

United StatesUnited States·IrvineFull timesenior
OtherHardware
6 views0 saves0 applied

Quick Summary

Requirements Summary

Propose custom sensor solutions when needed, assessing whether COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) choices are truly optimal or whether custom LiDAR or multi-camera systems perform better. 2.

Technical Tools
OtherHardware
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.

The Hardware Team at FieldAI develops perception and compute payloads that power autonomous robotics systems in complex real world environments. Our work spans the full hardware stack designing and integrating sensing systems (LiDAR, camera, TOF, IMU, GPS), embedded compute (CPUs, GPUs, microcontrollers, Linux, ROS), electrical systems (power distribution, communication), and mechanical components (structures, thermal regulation, ingress protection). The team focuses on both development (research, design, prototyping, testing) and operations (production, testing, QA, debugging). We’re a small, fast-moving team, and we care deeply about improving: 1) core capabilities, 2) system reliability, 3) system scalability. As a growing team we are also building operational systems

and procedures from the ground up.

In this role on the Hardware Team at FieldAI, you will deliver the sensor modules that turn our robots into data-collection platforms for customers. This spans sensor selection, calibration, electro-mechanical integration, validation, and the data pipelines that carry sensor output from capture through processing. Examples of sensor modules include high-resolution LiDAR scanners, PTZ and thermal cameras, depth cameras, GNSS/RTK, and gas detection sensors. Candidates should be familiar with concepts and workflows such as laser scanning, photogrammetry, digital twins, BIM, and deviation and change analysis.

You will collaborate with the product team to select the right sensor for customers from hard industries such as construction and manufacturing. You will work closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to integrate each sensor into swappable modules on our robotic platform. You will own sensor performance such as calibration and time sync. As well as validate results through vibration and shock testing, point cloud evaluation, and other data quality checks. You may also lead the development of new custom reality capture sensors such as multicamera systems.

 1. Sensor Selection & Cross-Team Coordination

Requirements

~1 min read
  • Systems-Level Optimization: Act as the systems-level owner who prevents siloed, locally-optimized solutions, finding the truly optimal fix across domains.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Serve as the connective point between Autonomy, Insights, Mechanical, and Electrical, keeping sensor payload decisions aligned across the organization.

  • Team Leadership & Roadmap: Oversee and mentor junior mechanical and electrical engineers, and contribute to sensor and hardware roadmap and vendor strategy.

  •  

  • Education: B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.

  • Experience Level: We're targeting 9+ years of experience for a senior to staff-level role, though we may consider more junior candidates with the right profile.

  • Cross-Domain Engineering: Strong foundation across mechanical design, electrical design, and sensor hardware, with the breadth to work across all three.

  • Data & Signal Processing Fluency: Working knowledge of point cloud and signal processing sufficient to evaluate software-based solutions to hardware problems.

  • Systems-Level Optimization: Demonstrated ability to work across engineering domains and drive system-level, not just component-level, optimization.

  • Sensor Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the sensor and geospatial-intelligence landscape, including LiDAR, cameras, thermal imaging, and gas detection.

  • Mechatronics & Integration: Experience with electromechanical integration, mounting, enclosures, IP ratings, and connectors for ruggedized sensor payloads.

  • Cross Functional Communication: Strong communicator able to arbitrate between teams that each see only their own piece of the solution space.

  • Leadership: Experience managing or mentoring junior engineers on detailed design execution.

  • Sensor Depth: Direct experience with sensors such as LiDAR, gas detection, thermal imaging, or PTZ camera systems.

  • Field Robotics: Experience working with field robots subject to vibration, shock, or harsh environmental conditions such as construction or industrial sites.

  • Mapping & Reality Capture: Familiarity with point cloud registration, photogrammetry and reconstruction, digital twin and BIM workflows, and deviation or change detection for environment mapping.

  • Reality Capture Ecosystem: Familiarity with laser scanning hardware (FARO, Leica, Trimble) and reality-capture software platforms, applied to building or infrastructure inspection, construction verification, and asset management.

  • Industry Exposure: Experience in construction, manufacturing, industrial, mining, or oil and gas environments, including hazardous-area (ATEX, IECEx, Class I Div 1/2) considerations.

  • Research to Production: Experience taking sensor or perception work from research and algorithm development through to production deployment.

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.
 
Why Join FieldAI in Irvine?
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, resilience, and bold thinking. We bring deep experience from organizations such as DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, along with a track record of field deployments and strong performance in DARPA challenge segments.
 
Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution
We are looking for builders who want their work to leave the whiteboard and show up on robots. If you enjoy tackling tough, uncharted questions and working across disciplines, you will find your people here. Our teams span AI, software, robotics engineering, product, field deployment, and technical communication, all focused on shipping systems that perform in the real world.
 
Our headquarters is in Irvine, and we partner closely with teams there as well as colleagues across the US and around the world. Join us in Southern California and help define what dependable, field-ready autonomy looks like.
 
We value diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We evaluate candidates and employees based on merit, qualifications, and performance, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Location & Eligibility

Where is the job
Irvine, United States
On-site at the office
Who can apply
US

About this job

Pay per year
$150,000–$250,000 a year
196% above the $67,500 median for Other jobs on Jobera (139,609 salaries).
Who can apply
United States
Posted
113 days ago
Employer
has 104 open jobs on Jobera in 3 countries.

Listing Details

Posted
July 20, 2026
First seen
July 20, 2026
Last seen
November 10, 2026

Posting Health

Days active
112
Repost count
0
Trust Level
42%
Scored at
November 10, 2026

Signal breakdown

freshnesssource trustcontent trustemployer trust

Field AI develops field-proven embodied artificial intelligence (AI) technology, specifically Field Foundation Models™ (FFMs), to enable robots to operate autonomously in complex, real-world environments across various industries.

View company profile
Newsletter

Stay ahead of the market

Get the latest job openings, salary trends, and hiring insights delivered to your inbox every week.

A
B
C
D
Join 12,000+ marketers

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Senior Reality Capture Engineer, Robotics HardwareUSD 150,000–250,000 per year