Field Deployment Lead

<p style="min-height:1.5em">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.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">Rhoda AI Europe GmbH is the company's first international entity, established to own strategic partner relationships across Europe and drive deployment of RaaS (Robotics as a Service).</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">We're looking for a Field Deployment lead to oversee Rhoda AI’s intelligent robot real-world customer deployments. We will have the first industrial deployments in the field by Q4-2026. You will be working at the intersection of robotics, AI, hardware, and deployment operations.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h1><strong>The Role</strong></h1><p style="min-height:1.5em">As Rhoda's first Field Deployment Lead in Europe, you will own the end-to-end execution of robot deployments at European partner sites - from site preparation and installation through commissioning, SAT sign-off, and transition to steady-state operations.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">You will also build and own the operational framework that keeps deployed robots running: the runbooks, operator training, escalation procedures, spare parts management, and the roster of contract operators and Tier 2 service partners at each site.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">This is not a traditional reactive field service role. Your focus is deployment quality and operational continuity - building systems that prevent emergencies, and managing a pre-trained Tier 2 service partner for hardware interventions beyond operator scope. You will work closely with the Application Engineering team on technical setup and with Rhoda HQ Engineering on configuration and maintenance planning.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em">During the initial production ramp at our first German deployment, you will be on-site covering the day shift alongside contract operators to build firsthand understanding of the system in production - before transitioning to a supervisory and multi-site role as operations mature.</p><p style="min-height:1.5em"></p><h1><strong>What You'll Do</strong></h1><h2><strong>Deployment Execution</strong></h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Own site preparation, robot installation, system integration, and commissioning at new European partner sites</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Lead SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) sign-off with partner technical teams; ensure systems meet production-readiness criteria before handover to steady-state ops</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Coordinate deployment timelines with Rhoda HQ AE and engineering teams; manage site-specific dependencies and risks</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Document configurations, integration decisions, and site-specific adaptations for each deployment</p></li></ul><h2><strong>Operational Framework</strong></h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Design and maintain the operational runbook for each deployed site: error response procedures, escalation paths, consumables management, shift handover standards</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Train and onboard contract operators at each site; set quality and documentation standards; ensure consistent execution across shifts</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Manage the Tier 2 local service partner: define scope and SLA, oversee training on Rhoda hardware, manage the callout process</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Capture field learnings systematically - failure modes, edge cases, near-misses - and feed structured insights to the AE team and HQ Engineering</p></li></ul><h2><strong>Maintenance &amp; Reliability</strong></h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Execute scheduled preventative maintenance visits at active sites (monthly/quarterly cadence per site)</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Coordinate software and firmware updates with HQ Engineering; execute on-site where remote deployment is not possible</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Manage on-site spare parts inventory at each customer facility</p></li></ul><h2><strong>Phase 1 Ramp - Wolfsburg (first 1–2 months)</strong></h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Cover the day shift on-site during initial production ramp to build firsthand operational expertise</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Transition day shift to the third contract operator once steady-state is established; shift into supervisory and multi-site mode</p></li></ul><h1><strong>What We're Looking For</strong></h1><h2><strong>Must-Have</strong></h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">5+ years of hands-on experience in industrial robotics or industrial software deployment, commissioning, or field engineering</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Hands-on electro-mechanical troubleshooting skills: confident using a multimeter and oscilloscope to diagnose faults, and working with VFDs, PLCs, sensors, actuators, and wiring in an industrial environment</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Proven track record executing FAT/SAT processes and commissioning robotic or automation systems at industrial customer sites</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Linux command-line proficiency; comfortable reading Python scripts and shell commands; basic Docker/container operations</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">ROS or ROS2 experience, or equivalent industrial automation background with genuine willingness to learn ROS2 quickly</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Strong documentation habits: you write runbooks, SOPs, and handover documents that others can follow without asking you</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Experience training non-technical operators on robotic or automated production equipment</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Experience managing contractors or external service partners</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Professional German and English — both required</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Valid driver's licence</p></li></ul><h2><strong>Nice-to-Have</strong></h2><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Prior experience deploying or commissioning robots at automotive primes or Tier-1 suppliers</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">ISO 10218 / EN ISO 13849 / TS 15066 safety familiarity for industrial robotics</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Experience with Flexiv Rizon arms, ZED cameras, or comparable industrial robot platforms</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Background writing and maintaining operational SOPs and field playbooks</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Experience managing multi-site field operations</p></li></ul><h1><strong>Why This Role</strong></h1><ul style="min-height:1.5em"><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">First field operations hire in Europe — you define how Rhoda deploys and operates in the field</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Direct line to HQ Remote Operations Center: your field intelligence shapes the product roadmap</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">As Europe scales, you build and lead a growing field operations team — potentially evolving into dedicated deployment and operations functions in 2027</p></li><li><p style="min-height:1.5em">Work at the intersection of cutting-edge humanoid robotics and real Tier-1 industrial production environments</p></li></ul><p>Find more <a href="https://www.arbeitnow.com/english-speaking-jobs">English Speaking Jobs in Germany</a> on Arbeitnow</a>