Robotic Operations Technician

About Rugged Robotics

At Rugged Robotics, we’re on a mission to modernize commercial construction with innovative, reliable solutions that transform how projects are built. Through automation and precision, we empower crews to deliver work faster, safer, and smarter. Joining our team means more than just building and operating robots; it’s an opportunity to help reshape an industry that touches every community.

We’re looking for curious builders and problem-solvers who are ready to embrace responsibility, tackle challenges directly, and grow as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

Role Overview

The operations team is the face of Rugged Robotics in the field. They bring our mission to life by deploying our robots and supporting customers hands-on to deliver a consistent, precise, and reliable layout. As a Robotic Operations Technician, your primary responsibility will be operating robots at customers’ job sites, dynamically blending technology, teamwork, and a solution-oriented mindset to have a direct impact on how projects get built.

When not in the field, you’ll work from our Houston HQ in East Downtown, preparing for the next project while sharing insights from the field that inform our engineering roadmap and sales process.

What You’ll Do

• Travel frequently (up to 90%) across the United States to deploy and operate our robot on active construction sites
• Use a tablet to operate and monitor robotic systems
• Troubleshoot technical issues (mechanical, electrical, or software-related) on the spot
• Collaborate with the engineering team to report field insights and propose product improvements
• Become an expert in our system to deliver accurate layouts to customers
• Represent Rugged Robotics professionally and confidently while on-site with clients

You Are

• Energized by extensive travel (up to 90%) and hands-on work with customers in the field
• An effective communicator who builds trust with stakeholders both on-site and at HQ
• Motivated to deliver exceptional service that consistently exceeds customer expectations
• Thrive on learning new technologies and expanding your knowledge of robotic systems across software, mechanical, and electrical disciplines
• Proactive about improving tools, processes, and customer experiences through initiative and problem-solving

Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Based in (or willing to relocate to) Houston, TX
• Hold a valid U.S. driver’s license
• Willing to frequently travel on domestic U.S. airlines (up to 90% of the time)
• Able to transport robots and equipment as needed
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions on active construction sites
• Capable of navigating uneven ground, scaffolding, ladders, and stairs
• Prepared to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for extended periods
• Physically capable of performing essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation

Great to Have

• Strong communication and customer service instincts
• Exposure to mechanical design, assembly, scripting, or electrical wiring
• Previous experience with robotics, automation, or complex machinery
• Past field experience in construction or other technical environments
• Prior exposure to mechanical design, assembly, software scripting (Python a plus), and electrical wiring

Perks

• Full-time, Competitive Salary with equity
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Paid Vacation from day one
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• 401k Plan available

Join Our Talent Community

Interested in Rugged Robotics but don't tick all the boxes? Don't see a role that meets your skills? Reach out, let us know how you think you can contribute to the team, and define your own position.

Rugged Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at our company. All qualified candidates will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or other protected legal status.

Field Surveyor

Rugged Robotics is on a mission to empower the construction industry to build better by innovating new approaches to tough problems using automation. We are a fast-paced start-up environment where every employee takes on many roles and wears many hats. To help our customers to build better, we need to build the best team.

The operations team at Rugged Robotics is responsible for deploying our robot in the field and providing the service of automated construction layout with speed, precision, and reliability. As a Field Surveyor you will establish or verify building control at customer sites and work with the customer to ensure accuracy. Alongside typical survey work, you will utilize our robots to perform automated layout at customer’s construction sites, working directly with them to address their needs, and assisting the engineering team in developing improvements to hardware & software systems. 

The Role

• Frequently travel (up to 75% of the time) to customer sites to deploy and operate robotic total stations for automated layout and control network establishment.
• Perform best fits of building columns and other features to establish building control points and run traverses to verify as-built conditions against CAD/BIM models.
• Operate AutoCAD and other survey software to import/export survey data, perform stakeouts, and generate field deliverables.
• When not performing active survey shoots, you will operate our robots to execute automated layout for customers.
• Collaborate directly with clients and internal engineering teams to troubleshoot equipment, refine workflows, and drive platform improvements.
• Supervise and mentor junior crew members and act as the subject-matter expert for surveying within the company.

You Are

• A licensed Professional Surveyor (or equivalent) with 3+ years of field surveying or survey crew chief experience in a construction setting.
• Highly proficient with robotic total stations, digital levels, and AutoCAD
• Comfortable interpreting blueprints, shop drawings, and procedure manuals.
• Able to lift up to 90lbs of survey equipment safely.
• An excellent communicator who can build rapport with diverse stakeholders, from site superintendents to subcontractors, while representing Rugged Robotics professionally.
• A proactive problem-solver with a keen eye for detail and a passion for continuous improvement in both process and technology
• Eager to learn new things, especially in the areas of robotics in order to grow with our startup and thrive in the dynamic, customer-focused environment.
• Comfortable operating independently while on-site.

Great to Have

• Experience with BIM processes and related software (Revit, Navisworks, etc.)
• Familiarity with LiDAR scanning, drone mapping, and other geospatial data collection methods.
• Familiarity with processing 3d scans and aligning models to fit as-built conditions.

Perks

• A full-time, competitive salary with equity
• Flexible paid vacation from day one
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• 401k Plan available

Rugged Robotics is headquartered in Houston, TX in the vibrant neighborhood of East Downtown. This role requires close collaboration with teammates, and we value the interactions that come from working together around the robots in the lab.

Interested in Rugged Robotics but don't tick all the boxes? Don't see a role that meets your skills? Reach out, let us know how you think you can contribute to the team, and define your own position.

Rugged Robotics is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at our company. All qualified candidates will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or other protected legal status.