Robotics Technician at Physical Intelligence (San Francisco, CA)
Physical Intelligence· San Francisco, CA·
Role details
Summary
Maintain advanced robotic systems by performing electrical and mechanical upkeep to ensure peak performance and minimize downtime. The role involves troubleshooting, diagnostics, and hands-on repairs in a high-tech environment.
Job description
Physical Intelligence is bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world. We are a group of engineers, scientists, roboticists, and company builders developing foundation models and learning algorithms to power the robots of today and the physically-actuated devices of the future. The Team The Robotics Technician works closely with PI’s fleet operations and engineering teams, to maintain the robotic platforms that power our AI research. The team is collaborative, fast-moving, and deeply technical — and this role is a direct partner to operations and engineers building and improving the systems you’ll maintain. In This Role You Will
- Electrical Maintenance: Repair electrical systems including wiring, circuits, power supplies, sensors, and control systems; conduct regular electrical inspections and preventive maintenance on robotic units
- Mechanical Maintenance: Repair mechanical components such as actuators, motors, gearboxes, bearings, and moving parts; perform inspections, alignments, and calibrations to keep systems within spec
- Diagnostics & Testing: Perform tests using diagnostic tools, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and specialized equipment; interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams to locate and resolve issues
- Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of repairs, part replacements, and maintenance activities using Linear and Notion
- Hardware Feedback: Propose solutions to the hardware engineering team for ease of repair, component standardization, and improved maintainability
- Safety & Compliance: Ensure all work complies with company standards, safety regulations, and industry best practices; identify potential hazards and initiate corrective actions
What We Hope You’ll Bring
- Associate degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field (bachelor’s a plus), or equivalent hands-on experience
- 2+ years of experience in electrical and mechanical maintenance, with a background in robotics, automation, or a related industry
- Proficiency in troubleshooting and repairing electrical systems (AC/DC motors, wiring, controllers) and mechanical components (motors, gears, bearings)
- Experience with diagnostic tools including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and PLCs
- Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and engineering drawings
- Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and industrial-grade equipment
- Strong attention to detail and excellent communication and teamwork abilities
Bonus Points
- Relevant certifications in electrical or mechanical systems (e.g., ASE, NATE, IPC or equivalent)
- Familiarity with robotics systems, automation technologies, and fleet management tools
- Experience working in a fast-moving startup or research environment
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.