Software Engineer, Verification & Validation

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionField AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications.Learn more at You'll Get to Do1. Own End-to-End Robot Verification & ValidationDesign and execute verification and validation strategies for complete robotic systems, from individual capabilities through full autonomous missionsDevelop clear acceptance criteria, performance metrics, and test methodologies for new robot capabilitiesValidate system behavior across multiple robotic platforms, environments, and operating conditionsBuild repeatable qualification and regression processes that allow new capabilities to ship without compromising existing functionalityEstablish a clear understanding of what “deployment-ready” means and provide quantitative evidence that systems meet that bar.2. Build Scalable Robotics Test InfrastructureDevelop automated test infrastructure spanning simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, lab testing, and full robot operationCreate reusable test scenarios and evaluation frameworks that exercise autonomy under nominal, edge-case, and failure conditionsBuild tools for experiment execution, telemetry collection, automated analysis, visualization, and reportingImprove the reproducibility of robot testing so failures can be recreated, diagnosed, and verified efficientlyHelp move validation from individual one-off tests toward continuously running, scalable system evaluation3. Validate Real-World Robot BehaviorDesign tests that expose robots to the uncertainty and variability encountered in real deploymentsExercise systems across changing terrain, obstacles, environmental conditions, sensor degradation, communication failures, compute limitations, and other realistic disturbancesEvaluate not only whether a robot succeeds, but how reliably, safely, and consistently it behaves across repeated trialsIdentify performance boundaries and characterize where system behavior begins to degradeWork directly with physical robots in the lab and field to reproduce difficult system-level failures4. Turn Failures Into Engineering SignalDebug failures across autonomy, sensing, state estimation, planning, control, system integration, compute, networking, and hardware boundariesUse telemetry and experimental data to isolate root causes rather than simply identify symptomsDevelop tooling and instrumentation that make complex robot behavior easier to understandConvert field failures and difficult-to-reproduce issues into deterministic regression tests whenever possiblePartner with subsystem owners to verify fixes and prevent recurrence5. Drive System Reliability and Release ReadinessPartner closely with autonomy, robotics software, hardware, systems, and field teams throughout the development lifecycleIdentify integration and reliability risks early and ensure they are represented in the validation processBuild dashboards, scorecards, and automated evaluations that provide a clear view of system health and capability maturityHelp define release gates based on measurable system performance rather than subjective readinessContinuously improve the V&V process as the autonomy stack, robot platforms, and deployment environments evolveWhat You Have Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on industry experienceStrong software engineering fundamentals with proficiency inC, C++, and Python for developing, integrating, debugging, and testing robotic systemsHands-on experience developing, integrating, testing, or debuggingphysical robotic or autonomous systemsBroad understanding of robotic systems, including sensing, state estimation, planning, control, communication, compute, and actuationExperience developing and debugging robotics software usingROS 2 and distributed message-passing architecturesStrong experience working inLinux environments, with familiarity with real-time systems and RT-patched Linux kernelsProficiency withGit and modern collaborative software development practices, including code review, branching, integration, and regression workflowsExperience diagnosing complexsystem-level failures where root causes may span software, middleware, networking, compute, sensors, and hardwareExperience designing quantitative experiments, defining performance metrics, and analyzing robot telemetry and test data to evaluate system behavior and reliabilityStrong instincts fortestability, observability, reproducibility, and systematic debugging, with the ability to turn ambiguous robot behavior into concrete hypotheses, experiments, and actionable engineering work The Extras That Set You Apart Experience developing system-level V&V, qualification, or release processes for autonomous robots, vehicles, drones, or other complex physical systemsExperience building automated regression testing or large-scale evaluation infrastructure for robotics.Familiarity with simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, fault injection, or scenario-based testingExperience defining reliability metrics, operational performance envelopes, or quantitative release criteriaExperience with automated telemetry analysis, experiment management, or fleet-level performance evaluationExperience testing robotic systems in unstructured, dynamic, or safety-critical environmentsExperience bringing new robotic capabilities from initial integration through production deploymentA track record of finding subtle system-level problems that were difficult to reproduce or crossed traditional subsystem boundariesThe ability and willingness to get hands-on with robots, understand the complete system, and go wherever the problem leadsCompensationThe salary range for this role is $135,000-$190,000. The actual offer for this position will be based on factors such as relevant experience, competencies, certifications, and how well the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above. Part of our compensation package also includes full benefits, equity, and generous time off.Field AI Onsite Work PhilosophyAt Field AI, we believe the most effective way to collaborate and solve complex challenges is by working together in person. This is a fully onsite role, and candidates will be expected to work from our Irvine, CA office. In-person engagement is essential to our success, and we offer flexible working hours to support focus and work-life balance.We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to applyWe may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.