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Robotics Deployment Engineer

Union City, Ca

Company Description

Third Wave Automation is a rapidly growing startup that has demonstrated its core technology components, proven its market fit, and just closed its Series C funding. If you are excited about cutting edge machine learning, robotics that affects the real world, and want to join a company where your skills can have a huge impact, you’ll fit right in. 

Third Wave Automation is applying modern machine learning to materials handling—delivering site-specific forklift navigation and infrastructure-free pallet handling that continuously adapts to changing floor configuration and warehouse demand. 

Job Description

The Mission: The Tip of the Spear for Physical AI

At Third Wave Automation, we don’t just write code behind a screen; we deploy 3,000 lb autonomous reach trucks into high-density warehouses. Moving heavy iron with centimeter precision requires a team that can bridge the gap between bleeding-edge software and the messy, chaotic reality of the physical world.

The Robotics Deployment Engineer is the technical face of our company on the warehouse floor. You are part of  the strike team responsible for the setup, integration, and ongoing excellence of our autonomous fleets at Tier-1 OEM sites. We are looking for engineers with the technical chops to debug Linux networks and C++ code, combined with the "dirt on the boots" grit to troubleshoot a complex robotics system while the customer is watching. You won't just deploy robots; you will be the critical feedback loop that makes our product better every single day.

How You Can Make an Impact

  • Flawless Field Execution: Lead the on-site technical deployment, calibration, and integration of our autonomous forklifts. You are the ultimate owner of the robot's performance from unboxing to go-live.
  • The Engineering Loop: Act as the critical bridge between site reality and product strategy. You will triage complex hardware/software issues in the field, pull the telemetry, and translate those anomalies into actionable technical requirements for our core Engineering and Product teams.
  • Customer Trust & Operations: Serve as the technical authority for our customers. You will integrate our robots with their Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), train their operators, and ensure their throughput KPIs are not just met, but exceeded.
  • AI-Augmented Problem Solving: Take an AI-first approach to field operations. You will leverage generative AI and modern tooling as a force multiplier to rapidly write scripts, automate repetitive deployment tasks, and analyze complex log data, 10x-ing your own efficiency.
  • Scale the Playbook: Write the comprehensive documentation, deployment tools, and scripts that will allow us to scale from deploying 10 robots to 1,000 robots.

What You'll Do (Your First 90 Days and Beyond) 

  • Master the Machine: Dive deep into the TWA hardware and software stack. You will learn the intricacies of our sensor suite, localization algorithms, and vehicle control systems.
  • Your First Deployment: Shadow and then lead a live customer deployment, getting hands-on experience integrating our systems with real-world warehouse infrastructure.
  • Automate the Mundane: Identify one major bottleneck in our current deployment or calibration process and write the tools/scripts to automate it.
  • Build the Bridge: Establish a tight feedback loop with the Customer Success & Operations Leader, fellow Deployment Engineers and the core Engineering team to ensure field realities are driving the product roadmap.

Qualifications

  • Technical Fluency: Deep, hands-on experience in Linux/Unix environments, including bash scripting, network configuration, and system administration.
  • Code & Debugging: Proficiency in reading, debugging, and writing scripts in Python and C++. You don't need to write the core autonomy engine, but you need to be able to debug it in the field.
  • Industrial Integration: Experience integrating complex technical systems with enterprise software, specifically Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) or similar ERP/inventory platforms.
  • The "Grit" Factor: Exceptional composure under pressure. The ability to troubleshoot complex electro-mechanical and software systems on a loud, high-traffic warehouse floor without losing your cool.
  • AI Fluency: Comfortable leveraging LLMs and AI coding assistants to accelerate script writing, parse massive log files, and solve novel problems faster.
  • Customer Empathy: Outstanding communication skills. You can explain a complex localization failure to a warehouse manager without using jargon.
  • Willingness to Travel: This is a field-forward role. Expect up to 50-75% travel to customer sites during peak deployment phases.

Preferred Qualifications

  • BS/MS in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent practical field experience.
  • 2-4 years of prior experience working with robotics or deploying autonomous mobile robots (AMRs / AGVs) in industrial environments.
  • Deep understanding of warehouse operations, logistics, and supply chain realities.

Physical Requirements 

  • Bending & Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
  • Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and other devices using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
  • Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
  • Moderate Carrying: Physically transporting items weighing 15 to 44 pounds.
  • Hearing: Ability to hear enough to be able to detect specific noises, proper equipment operation; understand what employees/clients are saying in normal conversation.
  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knees to come to rest on one or both knees.
  • Moderate Lifting: Raising objects 15-44 pounds.
  • Mobility Requirement: Be able to move throughout the warehouse facilities.
  • Sitting: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
  • Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
  • Visual Requirement: Be able to see and read PC screens; detect color coding, read fine print, and/or normal type size print.
  • Walking: Moving about on foot, particularly for long distances.

The pay range for this position is $109,000 - $164,000/yr+ benefits+equity; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  Base pay information is based on market location.

More About Working Here

Our Core Values:

  • Safety. We consider safety in everything we do.
  • People. We care about our teammates as people.
  • Encouragement. We encourage teaching, asking questions, and sharing opinions.
  • Transparency. We are transparent and sincere in our actions.

A robust set of benefits and perks:

  • Comprehensive benefits. Health, Dental, Vision, and a 401k matching program, to boot!
  • Flexible working schedule. Be productive when you work best.
  • Show & Tell. We love to learn from one another, and see the cool stuff everyone is working on!
  • Meals are covered. Lunch is provided every day, and dinner for those evenings that run long.
  • Stacks of snacks. Donuts are a main food group, and the snack shelf is always stocked with a wide variety of items.
  • Great teammates. One of the best parts of working here!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We value each person's expertise and experiences. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 

All qualified applicants able to work in the United States are encouraged to apply. We are unable to sponsor H-1 visas subject to fees required by the ‘Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers’ Presidential Proclamation dated September 21, 2025.

 

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