Field Test Engineer - Autonomous Robotics

About SteerAI

SteerAI is an autonomous mobility technology company powered by VentureOne, the commercialization arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council. SteerAI’s advanced AI-powered autonomy stack, developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, empowers the logistics and defense industries by turning industrial vehicles into autonomous powerhouses that can handle complex off-road missions, transforming operations and protecting organizations' most important assets: Their workforce.

Role Overview

We’re looking for a Field Test Engineer to join our core robotics engineering team and lead the execution of real-world testing for our autonomous ground systems. You will play a critical role in validating system performance, identifying edge cases, and supporting integration efforts across autonomy, perception, and hardware domains. This is a hands-on role that will directly shape the reliability and deployment readiness of our robotic platforms in challenging operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute structured field tests for autonomous ground robots, aligned with engineering and deployment milestones.
• Operate and maintain robotic platforms during field trials in diverse, off-road conditions while ensuring adherence to all safety protocols.
• Collect and analyze performance data to identify system bottlenecks, bugs, and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with autonomy, hardware, and software teams to troubleshoot and resolve failures observed during testing.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of test plans, validation procedures, and detailed test reports.
• Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot robotic sensors, actuators, and mechanical components.
• Support system integration activities and assist with software and hardware validation across development cycles.
• Continuously improve testing methodologies by integrating best practices and staying updated on emerging field testing standards in robotics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience with field testing in robotics, autonomous systems, or mechatronics.
• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and calibrating robotic systems.
• Familiarity with data collection and analysis using tools like ROS/ROS2 and Python.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex system issues.
• Willingness to travel and conduct testing in outdoor environments.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience working with autonomous ground vehicles or mobile robotics platforms.
• Knowledge of agile development practices and tools like Jira and Confluence.
• Prior experience in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) testing environments.

What we offer

We offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the Autonomous Robotics industry. Our work culture is collaborative and inclusive, with a strong focus on innovation and personal growth.

If you're excited by the idea of pushing the boundaries of field robotics and want to be part of a team that’s bringing autonomous mobility to life in real-world environments, we’d love to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.