Forward Deployed Engineer

TAR•Odessa, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

TAR builds construction robots to install solar power campuses and is deploying its first machines in dusty, hot, and remote conditions. The Forward Deployed Engineer is the first line of technical response for these robots, deploying and commissioning them, bringing them up to specification, and diagnosing mechanical, electrical, software, and controls issues. The engineer follows field failures from initial symptoms through root cause, resolves issues on-site where possible, and works with design and manufacturing engineering to address systemic problems and improve future machines. This is a hands-on generalist role based full-time at TAR’s test site in West Texas. The engineer works alongside on-site assemblers, machinists, and a welder, and supports live deployments, including multi-week stretches on-site. The role also involves maintaining procedures, documentation, tooling, spare parts, and test equipment so systems can be operated and serviced safely and consistently.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or a related engineering field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
At least 3 years in a field engineering, field service, or systems engineering role supporting complex hardware, ideally robotic or electromechanical systems.
General engineering background spanning mechanical, electrical, and basic software or controls troubleshooting, rather than deep specialization in a single discipline.
Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues independently in the field under real operating conditions and time pressure.
Strong technical documentation skills, including the ability to turn field experience into procedures other operators can follow.
Willingness to travel and spend multi-week stretches on-site supporting live deployments, including in outdoor and austere environments.

Nice To Haves

Experience with robotics systems deployed in austere, remote, or industrial field environments.
Experience supporting a product through its first field deployments, rather than only an established fleet.
Familiarity with root-cause and corrective action (RCCA) methodologies.
Comfort with basic scripting or software tools to support diagnostics and data collection in the field.

Responsibilities

Deploy, set up, and commission TAR's robotic systems in the field, configuring and validating each one to spec before and during operation.
Serve as the first line of technical response for field issues, diagnosing hardware, software, or integration faults and resolving them or escalating with clear documentation.
Own root-cause analysis for field failures and work with engineering to distinguish one-off incidents from systemic problems, feeding fixes into designs and maintenance procedures.
Develop and maintain field operating and maintenance procedures, checklists, and technical documentation.
Partner with design and manufacturing engineering to turn field lessons into product and process improvements.
Lead field rollouts of new systems, bridging engineering teams and day-to-day operators.
Maintain field-ready tooling, spare parts, and test equipment to help resolve issues and reduce downtime.