Junior Applications Engineer

At Rhoda AI, we’re building the next generation of generalist intelligent robots. We own the full robotics stack from high-performance hardware and robot systems to the infrastructure and state-of-the-art foundation world models that control our robots. Our robots are designed to be generalists capable of operating in complex, real-world environments and handling long-tail edge cases, made possible by our cutting edge research and end-to-end system design. We've raised over $450M and are investing aggressively in model research, infrastructure, hardware development, and manufacturing scale-up to make generalist robotics a reality.

The Role

As Junior Application Engineer, you will work hands-on in the field alongside our Senior AE to execute Proof-of-Principle (POP), POC engagements and RaaS deplouments with Rhoda's European strategic partners. This is a practical, execution-focused role: you will be on-site at partner facilities, setting up and integrating Rhoda's robot platform, running test programmes, capturing data, and documenting results.

You will develop rapidly. Working alongside a Senior AE on complex, real-world deployments is one of the fastest paths to deep robotics systems competence. We expect you to grow into an increasingly autonomous AE over 12–18 months.

What You'll Do

Field Deployment & POC Execution

• Support POP and POC execution, as well as RaaS engagements under Senior AE guidance: design solutions, system setup, sensor bring-up, test execution, and data collection at partner sites
• Integrate and calibrate sensors (cameras, LiDAR, IMUs, depth sensors) with Rhoda's robot platform
• Execute test plans defined by the Senior AE; record and validate results methodically
• Maintain and transport robot platforms, peripherals, and field test kits in good working order

Troubleshooting & Documentation

• Assist with field troubleshooting — collect logs, reproduce issues, support root cause analysis under Senior AE direction
• Write clear, structured technical documentation: test logs, configuration notes, sensor calibration reports, and integration guides
• Contribute to test reports and partner-facing summaries; develop your ability to communicate technical findings clearly

Software & Tooling

• Operate and monitor Rhoda's onboard software stack in the field; diagnose and resolve common software-side issues
• Write Python scripts for test automation, data processing, and light tooling tasks
• Develop proficiency with industrial communication protocols (EtherCAT, CAN) through field exposure

Learning & Development

• Actively develop expertise in EU functional safety concepts (ISO 26262, IEC 61508, EN ISO 13849) — formal training supported
• Participate in HQ Engineering knowledge-sharing sessions and apply learnings to field work
• Take increasing ownership of defined sub-tasks within POC engagements as competence grows

What We're Looking For

Must-Have

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field
• 0–3 years of experience with robotic systems; a strong final-year thesis or research project in robotics or mechatronics is fully acceptable
• Hands-on experience with ROS or ROS2 — you have launched nodes, debugged topics, and understood how a robot software stack fits together
• Working knowledge of Linux; comfortable at the command line
• Python scripting ability: you can write a data-analysis or test-automation script independently
• Structured, thorough approach to testing and documentation — you write it down, you double-check, you close the loop
• Willingness and ability to travel ~40% across Europe
• English fluency; German at working level

Nice-to-Have

• Hands-on experience with robot policy training, model fine-tuning, or deployment
• Experience with teleoperation systems or remote robot control workflows
• Hands-on experience integrating or calibrating sensors (cameras, LiDAR, IMU, depth)
• Exposure to functional safety concepts (ISO 26262, IEC 61508) — even at a conceptual or coursework level
• Experience with EtherCAT or CAN protocols
• Embedded Linux, C, or Rust — even at a beginner level
• MATLAB or Simulink familiarity

Why This Role

• Rare early-career opportunity to work on real humanoid robot deployments in customer environments — not lab demonstrations
• Direct mentorship from a Senior AE with deep field and functional safety expertise
• High ownership from the start: you own your tasks, your documentation, and your learning path
• Join at founding team stage — contribute to how Application Engineering is built at Rhoda Europe