Field Robotics Deployment Lead

At Rhoda AI, we’re building the next generation of generalist intelligent robots. We own the full robotics stack from high-performance hardware and robot systems to the infrastructure and state-of-the-art foundation world models that control our robots. Our robots are designed to be generalists capable of operating in complex, real-world environments and handling long-tail edge cases, made possible by our cutting edge research and end-to-end system design. We've raised over $450M and are investing aggressively in model research, infrastructure, hardware development, and manufacturing scale-up to make generalist robotics a reality. FIELD DEPLOYMENT LEAD (US) Heavy travel: international rotation to Germany for the first assignment (October 2026 through January 2027), then US customer sites at 50%+ with multi-week on-site blocks during production ramps. Open to remote start given the amount of travel. Start: as soon as possible, target October 2026. The Role As Rhoda's Field Deployment Lead for the US, you will own the end-to-end execution of robot deployments: site preparation and installation through commissioning, Site Acceptance Test (SAT) sign-off, and transition to steady-state operations run from our Remote Operations Center (ROC). You will also support and travel to other geographies outside of the US, including Europe (principally Germany to start) and Asia. You will build and own the initial operational framework that keeps deployed robots running: the runbooks, operator training, escalation procedures, spare parts management, and the roster of contract operators and Tier 2 service partners at each site. This is not a traditional reactive field service role. Your focus is deployment quality and operational continuity: building systems that prevent emergencies, and managing service partners for hardware interventions beyond operator scope. You will work closely with the Application Engineering team on technical setup, with the ROC on shift handover and remote support, and with HQ Engineering on configuration and maintenance planning. During the initial production ramp at each new site, you will be on-site covering the day shift alongside contract operators to build firsthand understanding of the system in production, before transitioning to a supervisory, multi-site role as operations mature. WHAT YOU'LL DO DEPLOYMENT EXECUTION - Own site preparation, robot installation, system integration, and commissioning at new customer sites in logistics and manufacturing. - Own on-site technical troubleshooting during commissioning and bring-up for the robots as well as integrated systems (Safety PLCs and Sensors, Conveyors, etc.) - Lead Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and SAT sign-off with customer technical teams; ensure systems meet production-readiness criteria before handover to steady-state operations. - Coordinate deployment timelines with Application Engineering, Development Engineering, and the remote support teams. Manage site-specific dependencies, permits, EHS requirements, and risks. - Document configurations, integration decisions, and site-specific adaptations for each deployment. OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK - Design and implement the operational runbook for each deployed site: error response procedures, escalation paths, consumables management, shift handover standards, etc. For eventual handover to customer success teams. - Train and onboard contract operators at each site; set quality and documentation standards; ensure consistent execution across shifts. - Manage any local service partner: define scope and SLA, oversee training on Rhoda hardware, manage the callout process. - Capture field learnings systematically (failure modes, edge cases, near-misses) and feed structured insights to Application and Developmental Engineering teams as well as Customer Success and remote support teams. - Develop Maintenance procedures, Preventative Maintenance schedules, and fine-tune spares Bill Of Materials and storage process. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR MUST-HAVE - Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on industrial experience. - 5+ years of hands-on experience in industrial robotics or industrial automation deployment, commissioning, or field engineering. - Hands-on electro-mechanical troubleshooting skills: confident with a multimeter and oscilloscope, and working with VFDs, PLCs, sensors, actuators, and wiring in an industrial environment. - Proven track record executing FAT/SAT processes and commissioning robotic or automation systems at industrial customer sites. - Linux command-line proficiency; comfortable reading Python scripts and shell commands; basic Docker/container operations. - ROS or ROS2 experience, or an equivalent industrial automation background with genuine willingness to learn ROS2 quickly. - Strong documentation habits: you write runbooks, SOPs, and handover documents that others can follow without asking you. - Available to start in October 2026, or within a few weeks of offer. - Valid passport and ability to travel internationally, and support extended on-site rotation (up to 2 weeks at a time). - Valid US driver's license and ability to travel domestically 70% or more, including multi-week on-site blocks. - Authorized to work in the United States. NICE-TO-HAVE - Prior experience deploying or commissioning robots at US automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, agricultural or heavy-equipment manufacturers, or logistics operators. - Familiarity with ANSI/RIA R15.06, ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066, OSHA machine-guarding requirements, and lockout/tagout programs. - Experience with Flexiv Rizon arms, ZED cameras, or comparable industrial robot platforms. - Background writing and maintaining operational SOPs and field playbooks. - Experience training non-technical operators on robotic or automated production equipment. - Experience managing contractors or external service partners. - Experience managing multi-site field operations or working alongside a remote operations center. - Experience with teleoperated or learning-based robot systems, including data collection on production lines.