Federal Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

At FieldAI, we build autonomous robotic systems that operate in demanding real-world environments where tight integration between hardware and software is critical. We’re looking for a Software Engineer - Mission Workflows to maintain and develop robot user workflows for wheeled robotic platforms across both federal and commercial programs.

As a Software Engineer - Mission Workflows at Field AI, you’ll be at the forefront of bringing our autonomous systems to life in the real world, owning deployment, integration, and ongoing performance in the field. This role is equal parts engineering and problem-solving. You’ll work hands‑on with both customers and our internal teams to ensure successful operations, rapidly incorporate field feedback to improve reliability and performance, and drive adoption so our systems become mission‑critical from day one.

As a Software Engineer - Mission Workflows, you will play a critical role in developing advanced robotic applications built on our autonomy API for diverse real‑world industries, including oil & gas, construction, and mining. You will focus on designing, implementing, and optimizing perception, localization, and control modules using ROS/ROS2 to create production‑grade software for autonomous systems operating in some of the world's harshest environments.

• Develop and maintain ROS/ROS2 packages for robotic autonomy, including navigation, mapping, and control.


• Integrate and calibrate multi‑modal sensors (LiDAR, thermal, RGB, GPS, IMU) for use in autonomous missions.


• Help in building autonomy APIs that allow modular interfacing with SLAM, path planning, and mission logic.


• Implement and optimize real‑time data processing pipelines using C++ and Python.


• Collaborate with perception engineers on integrating AI‑driven insights for robotic decision‑making.


• Design and test autonomous behavior on physical platforms in real‑world field scenarios.


• Troubleshoot robotic systems at the hardware‑software interface and develop diagnostics and recovery systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field.


• Strong software engineering skills, with proven experience building production‑quality robotics applications.


• Expertise in C++ and Python, writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code using modern best practices.


• Hands‑on experience developing with ROS/ROS2, including designing, building, and deploying custom nodes into complex robotic systems.


• Solid understanding of localization, SLAM, sensor fusion, and navigation systems.


• Familiarity with sensor integration (LiDAR, thermal, RGB, depth, GPS, IMU) and multi‑modal data handling.


• Practical experience with state estimation frameworks and real‑time data processing pipelines.


• Comfortable working with system‑level topics like networking, inter‑process communication (IPC), and middleware.


• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail, able to work independently while managing multiple priorities.


• Highly self‑motivated, with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a strong collaborative mindset.

• Experience deploying robotic software in production environments (construction, mining, oil & gas, or similar industries).


• Familiarity with noisy sensor data and building robust, resilient algorithms.


• Experience integrating robotic systems with web services, APIs, and cloud infrastructure.


• Background in working with computationally constrained platforms and optimizing for real‑time performance.

This position is for our FieldAI Federal Team. This team works on projects connected to the U.S. government which requires U.S. Person eligibility. A U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R §120.62 includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugee or asylee.

Salary range: $70,000 - $300,000.

The salary range for this role is $70,000-$300,000. The actual offer for this position will be based on factors such as relevant experience, competencies, certifications, and how well the candidate meets the qualifications outlined above. Part of our compensation package also includes full benefits, equity, and generous time off.

At Field AI, we believe the most effective way to collaborate and solve complex challenges is by working together in person. This is a fully onsite role, and candidates will be expected to work from our HQ in Irvine, CA. In‑person engagement is essential to our success, and we offer flexible working hours to support focus and work‑life balance.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.