Feeny
Physical Intelligence

Robot Build Technician at Physical Intelligence (Fremont, CA)

Physical Intelligence· Fremont, CA·

Role details

Employment
Full-Time
Skills
Mechanical assemblyElectromechanical assemblyRoboticsHand toolsPower toolsSolderingCrimpingTorque wrenchesCable harnessingWire routingElectrical integrationReading mechanical drawings

Summary

The Robot Build Technician builds, assembles, and maintains robotic systems for data collection and model training operations. This role involves working with the Hardware Engineering team to bring robots from prototype to production, ensuring quality and reliability through rigorous testing and documentation.

Job description

We're looking for a hands-on Build Technician who thrives in a fast-paced hardware environment. You'll be responsible for building, assembling, and maintaining the robotic systems that power our data collection and model training operations. You'll work directly with our Hardware Engineering team to bring robots from prototype to production, ensuring quality and reliability at every step. What You'll Do:

  • Build and assemble robotic systems according to engineering specifications, including mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical components
  • Install, calibrate, and configure robots and end-of-arm tooling for various applications
  • Execute test protocols and quality checks to ensure robots function as designed
  • Maintain detailed service records and documentation for robotic equipment
  • Support hardware bring-up, including wiring, harnessing, and integration of sensors and actuators
  • Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to root-cause manufacturing issues and implement solutions
  • Manage inventory of parts, tools, and consumables for the hardware lab
  • Train team members on assembly procedures and best practices Competencies and Skills:
  • 2+ years of experience in mechanical or electromechanical assembly, robotics, or manufacturing environments
  • Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and lab equipment (soldering, crimping, torque wrenches)
  • Experience with cable harnessing, wire routing, and electrical integration
  • Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, schematics, and assembly instructions
  • Familiarity with robotic systems, PLCs, or automated equipment is a plus
  • Basic understanding of CAN bus, Ethernet, and communication protocols
  • Strong troubleshooting skills and attention to detail
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative environment
  • Experience with inventory management and documentation tools (Notion, Excel)
  • Prior experience in robotics, automotive, aerospace, or consumer electronics is highly valued

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Why work at Physical Intelligence

  • Culture: Described as a “pure company” – internally driven by research needs, not external market demands. Highly collaborative, with a mix of engineers, scientists, and roboticists working together.
  • Work Environment: Hybrid/in-office – most roles require on-site presence in San Francisco (396 Treat Ave), though some remote flexibility exists. In-office setting with a “no reception” vibe, open lab space with robot stations.
  • Growth: Team has scaled from ~80 (Jan 2026) to 163 (mid-2026) and is still hiring across research, ML infra, hardware, and engineering roles. Plans to grow “as slowly as possible” to maintain quality.
  • Perks & Engineering Highlights: Access to cutting-edge robotics hardware and compute resources; opportunity to publish research and open-source code; exposure to a wide variety of real-world automation challenges (e.g., robots learning to fold pants, peel vegetables, make espresso). Employees come from top institutions like Berkeley, Stanford, Google, NVIDIA, and Anduril.

Application questions