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A frontier AI lab running its own physical robot fleet at scale, with dedicated shift-based technicians keeping robots working around the clock, shows that the company is moving from software research into operating large numbers of real machines as a core part of its research pipeline.
Physical Intelligence is bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world. We are a group of engineers, scientists, roboticists, and company builders developing foundation models and learning algorithms to power the robots of today and the physically-actuated devices of the future.
The Robotics Technician Team works closely with PI’s fleet operations and engineering teams to maintain the robotic platforms that power our AI research. The team is collaborative, fast-moving, and deeply technical — and this role is a direct partner to operations and engineers building and improving the systems you’ll maintain.
The Robot Service Technician Shift Lead manages a team of technicians, leads shift operations, and is accountable for upholding performance metrics and quality related to robot fleet service and maintenance. The shift lead ensures complete visibility of assignments across the technician team, maintains total robot tracking accuracy, guarantees clean robot service and maintenance ticket documentation at handoffs, and ensures robot issues requiring management or engineering support are escalated within the same shift.
Shift Preparation & Launch
Lead daily standup; align on priorities and key blockers alongside fleet team leadership.
Verify site staffing and assign specific duties to team members prior to robot handling.
Ensure all necessary parts, kits, and equipment are staged for the shift.
Active Shift Management
Manage ticket queue: assign, and adjust priorities
Maintain up-to-date ticket statuses, detailing assigned owner, root cause, and next steps for down robots.
Handle real-time escalations in fleet crew within the shift to prevent unnecessary delays.
Monitor workload across sites and reallocate personnel as needed to maintain balance.
Serve as primary floor contact for engineering and operations teams.
Enforce rest and full meal break compliance for all shift members
Review technician work on robot issue tickets and preventative maintenance to ensure high quality of work
Direct shift-level events (audits, bring-ups, moves), managing meal logistics, attendance, and move-protocol custody tracking.
Manage logistics for robots, parts, and equipment across the shift: tracking real-time robot locations, transfers, scene/site moves, and swaps. Maintain stocked arms, spares, and tools aligned with operational needs.
Shift Closeout & Handoff
Deliver a detailed written handoff covering completed tasks, ongoing work, blockers, and moved robot locations.
Publish end-of-shift updates in the public channel.
Provide a quick direct status check-in before departing.
Team Leadership & Administration
Act as front-line point of contact for schedule compliance, attendance, and break standards.
Review and approve Rippling timecards prior to payroll cutoffs; address missed punches, verify approved overtime, and report schedule discrepancies before approval.
Escalate to the Robot Lab Manager and fleet leadership for support when there are gaps in shift coverage.
Manage PTO coverage requests and ensure balance in shift coverage
Onboard and train incoming technicians following the closeout guide and RST expectations documentation.
Performance management of technicians
Conduct interviews for technician hiring
Relevant Technician Skillset: Hands-on experience in electrical and mechanical maintenance, automation, or robotics
Leadership: Experience leading / managing a team of technicians
Detail Oriented: Attention to detail to screen for high quality work from the team
Strong Communication: Ability to provide clear verbal and non-verbal communication to technicians within your team and to fleet team leadership.
Experience using Linear ticketing system
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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