Field Application Engineer – Robotics Networking

Job Title

Field Application Engineer – Robotics Networking

Role Summary

Provide technical leadership to customers and sales teams for networking and high-speed communication solutions in robotics platforms (AMRs, drones, humanoids). Work on architecture, product selection, bring-up, validation, and troubleshooting to meet deterministic, low-latency system requirements.

California base salary range: $166,200–$228,500 per year.

Experience Level

Senior — requires 10+ years of experience in embedded systems development or applications support.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

• Provide technical leadership on networking architecture, silicon and product selection, board bring-up, and software stack integration for NXP Ethernet switches, PHYs, and SerDes.
• Architect in-robot network topologies (zonal/microzonal, SPE backbones, 10BASE-T1S segments, 48V PoDL/PoE power-and-data distribution).
• Perform schematic and PCB reviews, bench bring-up, debugging, root-cause analysis, and customer troubleshooting on multi-node robotic systems.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues using oscilloscopes, network/protocol analyzers, and software debug/trace tools.
• Validate and tune performance for Ethernet, SerDes, and industrial real-time protocols to meet deterministic latency and synchronization requirements for motor control and perception pipelines.
• Deliver on-site and remote proofs-of-concept using evaluation kits and reference designs; demonstrate end-to-end network solutions for robotics use cases.
• Lead technical training, webinars, workshops, and coordinate cross-functional projects with customers and partners.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience:

• 10+ years in embedded systems development or applications support with microcontroller, switch, or SoC platforms; demonstrated technical leadership.
• Proficient in C/C++ firmware development and debugging on ARM microcontrollers.
• Strong working knowledge of Ethernet controllers and switches (MAC, PHY, DMA, filters/queues, MDIO, switch configuration, frame forwarding).
• Hands-on understanding of Single-Pair Ethernet PHY technologies and PMA/PMD layers.
• Familiarity with SerDes interfaces, PCIe Gen3/Gen4, and high-speed signal integrity considerations.
• Experience with low-latency, deterministic real-time Ethernet — TSN and EtherCAT.
• Knowledge of functional safety (IEC 61508, ISO 13849), cybersecurity (IEC 62443), VLANs, MACsec, and IEEE 802.1X.
• Experience with PoDL, PoE, and 48V power architectures used in modern robots, including BMS and motor drives.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with schematic review, signal analysis, and lab tools; excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to travel as needed, primarily within North America.

Nice-to-have / specialty skills:

• Knowledge of CAN technologies (CAN FD, CAN SIC, CAN XL) and their use in joint modules, BMS, and zonal nodes.
• Experience with ARM Cortex MCUs/SoCs, RTOS (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, NuttX), and embedded Linux (kernel, u-boot, user-space), especially Ethernet driver and switchdev work.
• Familiarity with robotics middleware and compute: ROS/ROS 2, DDS, real-time Linux (PREEMPT_RT), and motor-control stacks.
• Experience optimizing PCB schematic design and layout for high-speed signals and EMC/EMI in motor-noisy environments.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.

About the Company

Company: NXP Semiconductors

Headquarters: Nijmegen, Netherlands

NXP Semiconductors N.V. is a global semiconductor company that provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions. With over 45,000 employees and operations in more than 35 countries, NXP is a leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, catering to automotive, industrial IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, advancing a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world through technology.