3.3 Software Engineer: Backend

Field 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.

Join our mission to transform how humans and robots collaborate. As a software engineer specializing in backend development, you will design and implement critical systems that enable seamless data flow, sensor integration, and robust communication for cutting-edge robotics solutions. This role focuses on developing backend systems with high-performance computing, sensor integration, and driver development to support real-world robotics applications.

• Develop, maintain, and optimize backend services for robotics systems, focusing on high-performance and real-time requirements.
• Write and maintain low-level drivers for sensors and actuators, ensuring reliable integration and communication.
• Integrate data from sensors such as LiDAR, cameras, IMUs, GPS, and other IoT devices into cohesive backend architectures.
• Work with robotics frameworks like ROS to manage communication between robots, backend systems, and user interfaces.
• Build and optimize high-quality data pipelines to process and store real-time and batch sensor data.
• Design scalable and efficient databases for storing robotics telemetry, logs, and analytics.
• Collaborate closely with robotics engineers to ensure backend systems meet operational requirements for control and monitoring.
• Monitor, debug, and optimize system performance to meet low-latency and high-reliability standards.

• 3 years of experience in backend development, with expertise in building high-performance, real-time systems.
• Strong programming skills in C and Python, with a focus on backend systems and driver development.
• Proficiency with ROS (Robot Operating System), including experience with topics, services, and action servers.
• Experience in writing device drivers for integrating various sensors and actuators with robotics platforms.
• Deep understanding of sensor technologies such as LiDAR, cameras, IMUs, and GPS, and their data processing requirements.
• Experience with DevOps tools and practices (e.g., CI/CD pipelines, containerization with Docker) is a plus.

• User-Centric Mindset: A solid understanding of usability principles or user-centered design is a major plus

Compensation and Benefits

Our salary range is generous ($70,000 - $300,000 annual), but we take into consideration an individual's background and experience in determining final salary; base pay offered may vary considerably depending on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  Also, while we enjoy being together on-site, we are open to exploring a hybrid or remote option.

Why Join Field AI?

We are solving one of the world’s most complex challenges: deploying robots in unstructured, previously unknown environments. Our Field Foundational Models™ set a new standard in perception, planning, localization, and manipulation, ensuring our approach is explainable and safe for deployment.

You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class team that thrives on creativity, resilience, and bold thinking. With a decade-long track record of deploying solutions in the field, winning DARPA challenge segments, and bringing expertise from organizations like DeepMind, NASA JPL, Boston Dynamics, NVIDIA, Amazon, Tesla Autopilot, Cruise Self-Driving, Zoox, Toyota Research Institute, and SpaceX, we are set to achieve our ambitious goals.

Be Part of the Next Robotics Revolution

To tackle such ambitious challenges, we need a team as unique as our vision — innovators who go beyond conventional methods and are eager to tackle tough, uncharted questions. We’re seeking individuals who challenge the status quo, dive into uncharted territory, and bring interdisciplinary expertise. Our team requires not only top AI talent but also exceptional software developers, engineers, product designers, field deployment experts, and communicators.

We are headquartered in always-sunny Mission Viejo (Irvine adjacent), Southern California and have US based and global teammates. 

Join us, shape the future, and be part of a fun, close-knit team on an exciting journey!

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Salary : $70,000 - $300,000