Support Engineer

Skild AI•San Mateo, CA

5d•$70,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Skild AI is building general-purpose robotic intelligence that adapts to unseen scenarios. The Support Engineer develops systems and processes to ensure quality, reliability, and performance across robotics and autonomous platforms. The work is hands-on with integrated hardware systems and includes building prototypes, designing and fabricating test setups in CAD, diagnosing electromechanical issues, and supporting manufacturing workflows. The role combines fleet support and prototyping. It involves triaging electromechanical failures across deployed units, managing repair and RMA workflows from intake through return to service, and taking hardware from concept through CAD, fabrication, bring-up, and validation. The engineer tracks fleet failures, uses logs and telemetry to distinguish hardware faults from software faults, and produces root-cause reports that inform future designs. The role works closely with Electrical, Mechanical, and Firmware Engineers to accelerate iteration, improve reliability, and prepare for scalable production.

Nice To Haves

BS or MS in Mechatronics, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with 3+ years in a prototype, development, or failure-analysis lab.
Experience with robotic, vehicle, or drone hardware, including PCBAs, harnesses, actuators, sensors, and power systems.
Ability to methodically root-cause hardware failures from first principles, communicate findings clearly, and act on them.
Proficiency in parametric CAD for parts, fixtures, and assemblies; Onshape is preferred.
Working knowledge of circuits, power distribution, signal integrity, and common electrical components, with the ability to independently read PCBA schematics, cable drawings, and test procedures.
SMD soldering and rework down to 0402, including hot-air and microscope work.
Crimping, rework, and harness assembly to IPC-A-610 / IPC/WHMA-A-620 standards; familiarity with connector families and electrical components.
Strong mechanical fundamentals, including tolerance and fit analysis, material selection, fastener and vibration best practices, and DFM for printed, machined, and sheet metal parts.
Experience with FDM/SLA 3D printing and basic machine shop skills.
Comfort using Linux, macOS, and Windows terminals, including bash, SSH, and serial tools, plus basic Python or bash scripting.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities and hardware change quickly.

Responsibilities

Troubleshoot, root-cause, and repair electromechanical issues across the fleet, and manage repair/RMA workflows from intake through return to service.
Track fleet failures, identify recurring issues, and write root-cause reports that drive design and process improvements.
Build, test, and iterate on sub-assemblies, feasibility units, and full systems in collaboration with engineering teams.
Design in CAD and fabricate test fixtures, jigs, enclosures, and harnesses; produce machining-ready drawings using GD&T.
Read and interpret schematics, PCB layouts, and cable drawings to bring up, test, troubleshoot, and rework PCBAs, and create custom harnesses.
Operate bench equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic/spectrum analyzers, programmable power supplies, and DMMs; perform PCBA and cable rework to IPC standards.
Use command-line tools to flash firmware, retrieve and parse logs over SSH or serial console, and run diagnostic scripts during debugging and bring-up.
Document prototyping phases, test procedures, and failure analyses; manage design files and documentation under version control; source and procure components; and maintain prototype BOMs.
Maintain and troubleshoot lithium battery systems across the fleet, including safe handling and charging, monitoring BMS behavior, and diagnosing pack- and cell-level faults.
Work with embedded communication protocols and common robotics sensors.