Perception / Sensor Engineer – Robotics Hardware

Position Overview

Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world by building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems. We are charting a new course with globally deployed solutions and rapidly improving models through real-field applications. Within our Hardware Team, which develops perception and compute payloads for autonomous robotics, the Sensor Systems Engineer will design, integrate, calibrate, and validate a diverse array of sensors (such as LiDAR, depth cameras, IMUs, and GPS) that power our autonomy stack across challenging environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsibilities: Sensor System Design – Define sensor requirements, select and test sensors (LiDARs, depth cameras, GPS, IMUs, ToF, etc.), and architect systems for optimal spatial and temporal performance.
• Responsibilities: Sensor System Implementation – Evaluate sensor performance under real-world conditions, perform intrinsic and extrinsic calibrations, optimize sensor configurations, and document configurations and timing diagrams.
• Responsibilities: Sensor System Production & Servicing – Collaborate with vendors for sensor procurement, develop QA protocols for sensor units, perform debugging and root cause analysis, and establish monitoring protocols for system health.

Required Qualifications

• Education: B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with perception sensors such as LiDAR, depth cameras, IMUs, and GPS.
• Proven systems thinking and cross-functional collaboration across electrical, mechanical, and software teams.
• Strong foundation in sensor physics including optics, signal processing, and electromagnetic wave propagation.
• Experience with lab testing, calibration, debugging (using oscilloscopes, logs, vibration/thermal setups), and communication protocols (USB, Ethernet, GMSL, CAN, I2C, CSI).
• Proficiency with ROS/ROS2, sensor drivers, coordinate transforms, and timing protocols (PTP, NTP, etc.).
• Experience in implementing synchronization, timestamping, triggering, and latency minimization techniques.
• Familiarity with sensor calibration (intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal) and high-fidelity simulation environments (e.g., Gazebo, Isaac Sim, RViz).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling systems from prototype to large-scale production.
• Proven ability to develop systems for harsh field environments.
• Hands-on experience with deployed robotics, such as autonomous vehicles, drones, or ruggedized robots.
• Fluency across software, electrical, and mechanical systems in a robotics context.
• Knowledge of autonomy stacks and how sensor performance impacts autonomy algorithms.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: Our salary range is between ($70,000 - $300,000 annual), adjusted based on background, experience, and geographic location.
• Benefits: Flexible hybrid and remote work options available.
• Location: Headquartered in always-sunny Irvine, Southern California, with a global team approach.
• Inclusive and diverse environment that values merit, qualifications, and performance.