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mecka

Forward Deployed Robotics Engineer

$120K - $180K Remote Mid Posted May 31, 2026

Role Description

About Mecka AI ------------------

Mecka AI is building the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI.

We work directly with robotics companies and AI teams to support real-world robot deployments and high-quality data capture, ensuring systems operate reliably in live environments and produce data suitable for training and evaluation.

Our work happens on the ground — in labs, factories, and deployment sites — where execution and technical judgment matter.

Our Mission ---------------

Robotics will become the largest industry in human history — larger than anything that has come before it. As intelligent machines move into the physical world, they will dramatically expand global GDP, raise the material standard of living for everyone, and ultimately help make humanity a multiplanetary civilization. None of that happens without one thing: enormous amounts of high-quality, real-world data.

Mecka AI builds that foundation. We are the data infrastructure layer for robotics and embodied AI — the substrate that teaches machines to perceive, reason, and act in reality. Get this right, and we accelerate the most important technological transition of our time.

Our Culture ---------------

  • Excellence as the baseline. We hold an extremely high bar and expect the best work of your career. Mediocrity isn't interesting to us.
  • Highly technical. We reason from first principles, not by analogy. The best argument wins — regardless of title or tenure.
  • Truth-seeking. We are relentlessly honest with ourselves and each other. We chase reality — measured, not assumed — and kill our own bad ideas fast.
  • Maniacal urgency. The work matters and the clock is real. We move fast, ship, measure, and iterate.
  • Extreme ownership. You own outcomes end-to-end — no hand-offs, no excuses, no waiting for permission.
  • Hardcore. This is a high-intensity environment for people who want to do the defining work of their lives.

The Role ------------

We’re hiring a Forward Deployment Robotics Engineer based in New York to support robot deployments, data capture, and teleoperation workflows.

This is a hands-on, on-site role. You will be the person physically present during deployments — making sure robots are set up correctly, running smoothly, and capturing data according to requirements.

You’ll work closely with customers, remote engineering teams, and teleop operators to keep deployments moving and issues resolved in real time.

Responsibilities --------------------

Robot Deployment & On-Site Support

  • Go on-site for robot deployments, pilots, and tests
  • Ensure robots are properly set up, calibrated, and operational
  • Troubleshoot hardware, software, and networking issues on site
  • Act as the on-site technical owner during deployments

Data Capture Leadership

  • Lead on-site data capture during robot operation
  • Ensure data is captured correctly, consistently, and at required quality
  • Monitor sensors, cameras, telemetry, and logs during capture sessions
  • Identify and resolve issues that could impact data quality

Teleoperation Support

  • Support teleoperation workflows during deployments
  • Coordinate with remote teleop operators and engineering teams
  • Assist with setup, testing, and monitoring of teleop systems
  • Escalate issues clearly and quickly when needed

Communication & Reporting

  • Serve as the local point of contact in New York
  • Provide clear updates on deployment status and issues
  • Document problems, fixes, and learnings from the field
  • Help improve deployment and data capture processes over time

Who You Are ---------------

Required Experience

  • Prior experience as a field technician, field engineer, or on-site support at a robotics company
  • Hands-on experience supporting real robot deployments
  • Experience leading or supporting data capture operations
  • Familiarity with teleoperation systems or remote robot operation
  • Comfortable working with Linux-based systems, cameras, sensors, and networking

You Are

  • Highly hands-on and comfortable working on-site
  • Calm under pressure and able to troubleshoot in real time
  • Detail-oriented and quality-focused
  • Clear communicator between field teams and remote engineering
  • Willing to travel locally to deployment sites as needed

Why This Role -----------------

  • Be directly involved in real-world robotics deployments
  • Own on-site execution and data capture quality
  • Work closely with cutting-edge robotics systems and teams
  • High responsibility and autonomy in a fast-moving environment

Compensation Range: $120K - $180K

About Forward Deployed Engineering

Forward Deployed Engineers are embedded directly with customers to build custom solutions, integrate products into existing infrastructure, and bridge the gap between product engineering and customer success. The role combines deep technical skills with the ability to operate in client environments and translate business requirements into working software.

Originally pioneered by Palantir, the FDE model has spread across AI, enterprise SaaS, and cloud infrastructure companies. FDEs write production code, architect integrations, train customer teams, and feed product insights back to the core engineering organization. At companies like OpenAI, Salesforce, and Databricks, FDE teams are treated as elite engineering units that can ship custom solutions in days rather than quarters.

Typical FDE stack: Python, TypeScript, SQL, REST/GraphQL APIs, cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure), and increasingly LLM APIs and AI orchestration frameworks. Strong communication and the ability to context-switch between technical and business conversations are as important as coding ability.

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