Staff Systems Engineer

Cyngn • Mountain View, CA

2d • $187,000 - $209,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Cyngn is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to lead system definition and architecture for autonomous vehicle and robotics platforms. This role is a senior, hands-on systems position responsible for converting high-level product requirements (L0/L1 user stories and product intent) into detailed, testable engineering specifications, architectures, and verification plans using a structured V-model systems engineering approach.

This is a generalist systems role spanning sensors, compute, power distribution, actuation, and safety-critical behaviors. The ideal candidate has deep experience in industrial robotics or vehicle systems, understands safety certification expectations, and can bridge product intent with disciplined engineering execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering for complex electro-mechanical systems (robotics, vehicles, industrial automation, autonomy).
• Strong experience translating product-level requirements into detailed engineering specifications and verification plans.
• Solid understanding of industrial safety standards, particularly ANSI B56 and related AMR / industrial vehicle safety frameworks.
• Hands-on familiarity with low-level sensors and feedback systems, including: Encoders (incremental, absolute), Angle and position sensors, Temperature sensors, & Current and voltage sensing
• Working knowledge of motor systems and actuation, including: Motor commutation concepts (e.g., BLDC, PMSM), Feedback and control considerations, Fault detection and protection, Experience defining interfaces between sensors, embedded controllers, power electronics, and higher-level compute.
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to clearly document and review complex system behavior.
• Comfortable working on-site 5 days per week in Mountain View, CA

Nice To Haves

• Experience with autonomous mobile robots, industrial vehicles, or material handling equipment.
• Prior involvement in safety certification, audits, or compliance testing for industrial or robotic systems.
• Familiarity with system integration, bring-up, and hardware validation testing.
• Experience working in fast-paced product development environments with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Translate L0/L1 product requirements and user stories into complete, unambiguous, and testable system and subsystem specifications (L2+).
• Define system architectures and interfaces for autonomous vehicle and robotics platforms, including: Sensors (perception and low-level feedback), Compute and embedded controllers, Power distribution and protection, & Actuation and drive systems
• Own requirements decomposition, allocation, and traceability across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software domains.
• Develop system-level verification and validation plans, including test strategies, acceptance criteria, and pass/fail definitions aligned with the systems engineering V-model.
• Lead technical trade studies, risk assessments, and architectural decisions with a focus on safety, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Act as the systems engineering point of contact for industrial safety certification, ensuring system requirements and test plans support compliance.
• Collaborate with product management, safety engineering, hardware, firmware, software, and test teams to ensure aligned execution.
• Drive cross-functional design reviews, requirements reviews, and system readiness milestones.
• Support integration, debugging, and validation of vehicle and robotic systems during development and deployment phases.
• Incorporate industrial safety requirements into system architecture, requirements, and test planning.
• Support compliance efforts related to ANSI B56 standards for industrial trucks and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
• Work closely with safety and compliance teams to define safety functions, fault responses, and operational limits.
• Ensure system behaviors are well-defined for normal operation, degraded modes, and fault conditions.
• Contribute to safety-related documentation, including requirements, test evidence, and certification support artifacts.

Benefits

• Health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA and FSA (Health & Dependent Daycare), Employee Assistance Program, 1:1 Health Concierge)
• Life, Short-term and long-term disability insurance (Cyngn funds 100% of premiums)
• Company 401(k)
• Commuter Benefits
• Flexible vacation policy
• Sabbatical leave opportunity after 5 years with the company
• Paid Parental Leave
• Daily lunches for in-office employees and fully-stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages
• Monthly meal and tech allowances for remote employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees