Forward Deployed Field Engineer

Role Summary

We are looking for a field-forward, Hardware Engineer to deploy, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and train end-users on autonomous ground-vehicle platforms in real operational environments. This role is for someone who is most comfortable hands-on with vehicles, thrives in the field, and knows how to keep machines running when conditions are far from ideal.

This is not a desk job. You will spend significant time deployed at test sites, customer locations, and operational events, working directly on vehicles, diagnosing issues, making repairs, and ensuring systems are mission-ready.

Responsibilities

• Deploy and Field-Test Systems: Deploy and test autonomous vehicles and their payloads in real-world environments. When not traveling, you will be supporting payload integration and vehicle field testing between our Seattle and Central Washington State locations.
• Sustain: Perform hands-on troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of vehicle systems including electronics, sensors, wiring, power, networking, and mechanical interfaces. Diagnose failures under time pressure and in resource-constrained environments, then implement practical fixes to keep vehicles operational.
• Develop and Iterate: Contribute to hardware/software integration and enhancements, leveraging user feedback to improve autonomy capabilities.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with engineers and program managers to ensure seamless deployment and alignment with end-user needs.
• Document and Analyze: Maintain detailed records of field performance, documenting lessons learned and recommending improvements.
• Train and Support Users: Provide on-site training and support to end users/operators on system usage, maintenance, and safety. Help ensure operational readiness before and during field deployment.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, or a similar technical field, or 5 to 8 years of equivalent work experience.
• Proven hands-on experience working with vehicles or complex hardware systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance

Desired Experience & Qualifications

• Strong mechanical engineering intuition and the ability to work in ambiguous environment(s).
• Proficiency in one or more of the following: robotics, sensors, networking, embedded systems, electronics, off-road vehicle operations and maintenance.
• Comfort working with electrical systems, sensors, wiring, connectors, and power systems.
• Experience with uncrewed systems and robotics software (e.g., ROS, CAN, drive-by-wire systems).
• Familiarity with autonomous system sensors (LIDAR, cameras).
• Experience with programming languages such as Python or C++ is a plus.
• Knowledge of field-testing protocols and safety-critical environments.
• Ability to operate and problem solve independently in challenging conditions, including adverse weather and remote locations.
• Thrive in dynamic, cross-functional teams and small startup environments.
• Experience deploying hardware and software in defense technology, deep tech, or start up environments.
• Prior experience supporting hardware during live demos, tests, or operational events.
• Willingness to co-locate at testing sites or military installations for extended periods, both CONUS and OCONUS.

Location

• This position is located in Washington State.
• When not traveling, expect to be working out of our Central Washington State test site and/or in our Seattle locations as needed.
• Frequent, extended travel expected (>50%).

Pay Range

Mission Success Engineer: $120,000 - $150,000 annually

Actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Overland AI believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day.

Benefits include

• Equity compensation
• Best-in-class healthcare, dental, and vision plans
• Flexible PTO
• 401k with company match
• Parental leave
• Monthly wellness stipend
• One-time workplace & productivity reimbursement

This position may involve access to export-controlled technology. Employment is contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control laws.