Field Tester

Role and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the remote operation, calibration, test, and fielding of client’s semi-autonomous and autonomous robot systems.
• Use real-world knowledge, skills, and experience to shape the design, development, calibration, and deployment of autonomous robot systems.
• Execute hands-on and semi-autonomous test operations, and train colleagues and clients on the safe and effective use of semi-autonomous robot systems and their command and control software.
• Blend the future of robotics with the roles of a software quality analyst, the advanced technical and analytical skills of a test technician, the decision-making responsibilities of an operations manager, and the instructional skills of a seasoned trainer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment manually, via tele-operations, semi-autonomously, and autonomously to evaluate and improve performance, functionality, and reliability.
• Maintain a safe testing and fielding environment by championing company safety standards, industry standards and regulations, and helping develop and enforce site-specific protocols and safe work instructions.
• Collaborate with program and engineering teams, industry experts, and test team members to understand the concept of operations (CONOP), planned use cases, and help design and execute tests to assess engineering and customer requirements.
• Document daily inspections, test procedures, results, findings, and maintenance activities; provide clear, concise, and accurate reports.
• Perform minor routine preventative maintenance and repairs on equipment to ensure safety, functionality, longevity, and performance.
• Work with engineering and support team members to calibrate, diagnose, and troubleshoot technical issues with robotic systems and equipment.
• Help define test requirements and configure test tracks to simulate real-world conditions and deliver needed test results; help demonstrate systems are safe, operationally effective, and suitable for client team members and customers.
• Work closely with engineers, software developers, technical writers, technical trainers, and a diverse, cross-functional team to understand system requirements and align and shape development, calibration, test, documentation, training, and fielding activities.
• Help develop training plans and curriculum for robotic systems; execute vehicle- and robot-specific training for team members and customers.
• Perform on-site system configuration, calibration, and acceptance testing as well as customer training to help stabilize and field new technologies at customer sites.

Essential Education, Work Experience, Job Skills

• 5-7 years of experience with a portfolio of heavy equipment and industries.
• Operations manager or other strong leadership experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, robotics, agriculture or a related field (or equivalent).
• OSHA 30 certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to effectively traverse in an indoor or outdoor work environment for 6-10 hours a day.
• Enter and exit equipment on average 10 times a day.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, crouch, and reach to install, test, and inspect equipment.
• Ability to safely and effectively complete tasks in varied weather conditions and uneven terrain.
• Ability to document results using a laptop and a mobile phone throughout the shift.
• Ability to detect, identify, and respond to safety risks and environmental cues to safely operate and evaluate equipment.
• Ability to effectively complete essential functions while exposed to environmental allergens and fluctuating temperatures.