Forward Deployed Operator

Terranova•Berkeley, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Terranova is hiring a Forward Deployed Operator to help deploy, operate, and improve our robotic land elevation systems in the field. This is a hands-on, field-heavy role for someone who can run machines, fix equipment, work outside, and solve weird, difficult problems in real time. You will work either a Thursday-Monday or Friday-Tuesday schedule. Weekend work is part of the job. A sixth day will be required in rare weeks where you were not deployed to the field for most of the week. Most days, you will be on site preparing for injections, operating robots, running support equipment, troubleshooting failures, and helping the team execute field work safely and quickly. The role will include moving heavy materials and equipment, some manual labor, and operating or supporting traditional field machinery such as loaders, forklifts, skid steers, trailers, pumps, generators, and other site equipment. You will work closely with mechanical engineers, embedded systems engineers, and senior forward deployed engineers to test new hardware, improve field procedures, suggest changes to robots, and make the system more reliable every week. You will also help improve our autopilot system by giving strong field feedback on robot behavior, sensors, controls, operator workflows, failure modes, and what needs to change for real deployments. A lot of the job involves tricky physical and mechanical work where the right answer is not obvious, the equipment is heavy, the environment is imperfect, and mistakes can damage equipment or create safety risks. We need someone who can think clearly, communicate well, and do hard things safely while still moving fast.

Requirements

Mechanically sharp, reliable, physically capable, and calm under pressure.
Likes fixing things, operating equipment, working outside, and figuring out problems where there is no manual.
Strong technical judgment and a track record of building, repairing, operating, or improving real systems.
Experience with robotics, controls, mechanical systems, electrical systems, pumps, hydraulics, engines, construction equipment, vehicles, heavy machinery, field operations, or industrial equipment is valuable.
U.S. permanent residency.

Nice To Haves

A background in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, embedded systems, robotics, or controls is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Deploy and operate Terranova’s field robots, injection systems, pumps, sensors, and support equipment
Operate or support traditional field equipment and heavy machinery
Prepare field sites for injection work, including setup, staging, surveying support, material handling, and cleanup
Move heavy equipment, materials, hoses, tools, and parts safely and efficiently
Diagnose and repair mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, controls, and field equipment issues
Test new hardware, tools, procedures, robot upgrades, and autonomy features with the engineering team
Help improve Terranova’s autopilot system by identifying field gaps, testing changes, and giving clear feedback to senior forward deployed engineers and embedded systems engineers
Support drilling, pumping, sensing, injection sequencing, and field data collection
Document work clearly, including equipment issues, repairs, test results, site conditions, field procedures, and lessons learned
Identify failure modes and suggest practical changes to robots, equipment, software, and field processes
Work through hard, ambiguous problems using first-principles thinking, including underground flow, pressure, injection behavior, soil response, and equipment performance
Maintain a high standard for safety, urgency, and quality in the field