$130,000–$170,000
Test Forward Deployed Engineer
Published · Updated
$110,000–$150,000San Francisco, CAOn-site
The Test Forward Deployed Engineer builds and operates realistic test and demo environments for autonomous robotic systems, supporting hardware integration, demos, and pilot readiness.
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At a glance
Posted base pay
$110K–$150KBelow the median
Median $173K
This job$110K–$150KTypical not stated FDE payMiddle 50% of 44 postings$145K–$203KThe work
Integrates and configures it
Balance
- Mostly building
- Mixed
- Mostly pre-sales or support
Project stages
- Pre-sales (not covered)
- Proof of concept
- Implementation (not covered)
- Operations
- Coding
- Configuration only
- Builds for
- Internal teams
- Role
- Individual contributor
What they ask for
Tools
Less common in FDE jobs
- Coding work: Configuration only13%
- Who you build for: Internal teams14%
- On-site37%
- Covers proofs of concept40%
Share of US FDE postings that state each fact.
The job description from Droyd Robotics
Posted by Droyd Robotics on
About the Team
Droyd builds autonomous robotic systems that automate repetitive manual work in real environments. We design and manufacture our hardware in-house, which means iteration, fabrication, and execution all happen under one roof.
Our test team keeps demo and evaluation systems running, builds realistic test environments, and prepares the company for pilot deployments — spanning end effector testing, motor and firmware evaluation, demo execution, competitive bakeoffs, and eventually forward deployment and teleoperator coordination.
About the Role
As a Test Forward Deployed Engineer at Droyd, you will help build, operate, and support test environments that mirror real deployments. You will work across hardware setup, systems integration, demos, and pilot preparation, and over time help bridge the gap between internal testing and real-world deployment.
This is a highly practical role for someone comfortable working across software, systems, hardware setup, and field-style execution.
This role is based on-site in San Francisco, CA.
In This Role, You’ll
Test & Demo Environments
- Build and maintain realistic test and demo environments
- Support system setup, integration, and operational readiness for pilots and internal testing
- Help manage hardware, infrastructure, and operational tooling needed for forward deployment
Demos & Pilot Preparation
- Work closely with the test team on demos, bakeoffs, and pilot preparation
- Support workflows that may later extend to teleoperators and field operations
Engineering Bridge
- Act as a bridge between engineering development and real-world deployment needs
- Troubleshoot and integrate messy real-world systems quickly
Work Environment & Schedule
- On-site in San Francisco, CA
- Full-time
We’re Looking For Candidates Who
- Are highly practical and comfortable working across hardware and software systems
- Can troubleshoot and integrate messy real-world systems quickly
- Work well in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
- Are comfortable owning operational and technical problems end-to-end
- Thrive close to hardware and deployment-style work
Nice to Have
- Experience in forward deployed engineering, field engineering, solutions engineering, or technical operations
- Experience with robotics, infrastructure, or hardware-adjacent systems
- Experience supporting demos, pilots, or customer deployments
About Droyd
Droyd builds autonomous robotic systems that operate in real production environments. We design the hardware, develop the control stack, and generate the data that enables generalist robotics.
If we do this right, robots stop being demos and start being infrastructure.
Join us and help build the systems that make it real.
View posting at Droyd Robotics
About Droyd Robotics
Droyd develops autonomous robotic systems and in-house hardware to automate repetitive manual work in real operational environments.
Unknown
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