Field Deployment Lead

Job description

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. 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). 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. THE ROLE 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. 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. 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. 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. WHAT YOU'LL DO DEPLOYMENT EXECUTION - Own site preparation, robot installation, system integration, and commissioning at new European partner sites - Lead SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) sign-off with partner technical teams; ensure systems meet production-readiness criteria before handover to steady-state ops - Coordinate deployment timelines with Rhoda HQ AE and engineering teams; manage site-specific dependencies and risks - Document configurations, integration decisions, and site-specific adaptations for each deployment OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK - Design and maintain the operational runbook for each deployed site: error response procedures, escalation paths, consumables management, shift handover standards - Train and onboard contract operators at each site; set quality and documentation standards; ensure consistent execution across shifts - Manage the Tier 2 local service partner: define scope and SLA, oversee training on Rhoda hardware, manage the callout process - Capture field learnings systematically - failure modes, edge cases, near-misses - and feed structured insights to the AE team and HQ Engineering MAINTENANCE & RELIABILITY - Execute scheduled preventative maintenance visits at active sites (monthly/quarterly cadence per site) - Coordinate software and firmware updates with HQ Engineering; execute on-site where remote deployment is not possible - Manage on-site spare parts inventory at each customer facility PHASE 1 RAMP - WOLFSBURG (FIRST 1–2 MONTHS) - Cover the day shift on-site during initial production ramp to build firsthand operational expertise - Transition day shift to the third contract operator once steady-state is established; shift into supervisory and multi-site mode WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR MUST-HAVE - Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field - 5+ years of hands-on experience in industrial robotics or industrial software deployment, commissioning, or field engineering - 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 - Proven track record executing FAT/SAT processes and commissioning robotic or automation systems at industrial customer sites - Linux command-line proficiency; comfortable reading Python scripts and shell commands; basic Docker/container operations - ROS or ROS2 experience, or equivalent industrial automation background with genuine willingness to learn ROS2 quickly - Strong documentation habits: you write runbooks, SOPs, and handover documents that others can follow without asking you - Experience training non-technical operators on robotic or automated production equipment - Experience managing contractors or external service partners - Professional German and English — both required - Valid driver's licence NICE-TO-HAVE - Prior experience deploying or commissioning robots at automotive primes or Tier-1 suppliers - ISO 10218 / EN ISO 13849 / TS 15066 safety familiarity for industrial robotics - Experience with Flexiv Rizon arms, ZED cameras, or comparable industrial robot platforms - Background writing and maintaining operational SOPs and field playbooks - Experience managing multi-site field operations WHY THIS ROLE - First field operations hire in Europe — you define how Rhoda deploys and operates in the field - Direct line to HQ Remote Operations Center: your field intelligence shapes the product roadmap - As Europe scales, you build and lead a growing field operations team — potentially evolving into dedicated deployment and operations functions in 2027 - Work at the intersection of cutting-edge humanoid robotics and real Tier-1 industrial production environments