Robotics Technician at Watney (San Francisco, CA)
Watney· San Francisco, CA·
Role details
Job description
OUR MISSION
Expand human ambition in the physical world.
Critical infrastructure is constrained by labor shortages, hazardous working conditions, and operational complexity. Watney builds and deploys autonomous robotic systems that increase the speed and capacity of buildout, starting with data centers.
Role Description
As our Robot Technician, you'll be hands-on with cutting-edge autonomous systems from prototype to production deployment. This isn't traditional maintenance – you're a technical owner who will:
- Build, test, and optimize robots that run continuously
- Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, and software issues in autonomous systems
- Develop diagnostic procedures and predictive maintenance protocols
- Configure and calibrate sensors, actuators, and control systems
- Support field deployments and remote debugging of systems worldwide
- Create assembly documentation and maintenance procedures as we scale
- Help iterate on hardware designs based on real-world performance data
- Interface with our software and hardware teams to improve robot behavior and reliability
What You Bring
Essential:
- 2+ years hands-on experience with robotic systems, automation equipment, automotive, or similar
- Strong mechanical assembly and troubleshooting skills
- Electrical debugging capabilities (reading schematics, using multimeters/oscilloscopes)
- Experience with motors, sensors, and control systems
- Detail-oriented approach to documentation and testing
- Basic Linux skills - comfortable with CLI, SSH, log files, and system diagnostics
Bonus Points:
- Experience with EtherCAT lines, CAN bus, or industrial communication protocols
- Familiarity with autonomous systems and edge case handling
- CAD software proficiency (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, etc.)
- 3D printing and rapid prototyping experience
- Background in production scaling or manufacturing
- Experience with 24/7 reliability systems
What Sets You Apart
- You love taking things apart to understand how they work
- Comfortable working on bleeding-edge technology with ambiguous requirements
- Strong debugging instincts – you can isolate problems systematically
- Excited by the challenge of making robots work reliably at scale
- Pride in craftsmanship and building things that last
We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive team. At Watney Robotics, we welcome people of all backgrounds and identities, and we make hiring decisions based on skills, experience, and potential. If you’re passionate about robotics but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply!
CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE?
Follow us here on X x.com/watneyrobotics and LinkedIn linkedin.com/about
Why work at Watney
- In-Office culture: All roles are based in San Francisco (HQ); the company emphasizes in-person collaboration.
- Ground-floor opportunity: With outsized ownership and visibility, employees shape the “rollout playbook” for a category-defining robotics company.
- Technical challenge: Work on real systems that combine robotics, AI, hardware, and infrastructure at scale.
- Notable peers: Colleagues include alumni from Scale AI, Amazon Web Services, Tools for Humanity, Warburg Pincus, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
- Growth trajectory: A very young company (founded 2024) with rapid hiring and clear product-market fit, ideal for early-stage career builders.