Job: Robotics Engineer III
Job Description
Job Type: Full time, Salaried
Wage: $130,000-$160,000/yr.
Location: Florence, CO.
Job Description:
Location: Florence, Colorado (in-office with flexibility for hybrid work in Denver/Boulder)
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $130k-160k + meaningful equity participation
About Barn Owl Precision Ag (BOPA)
At BOPA, we’re building the future of autonomy for small and mid-sized farms. Our compact, intelligent robots (ANTs) perform precision agricultural tasks like weeding, planting, and nutrient management - helping farmers cut labor costs, reduce chemical use, and increase sustainability.
We are a Seed-stage startup with a nimble, farmer-focused team. Our goal is to design robust, scalable robotics systems that can be deployed across the globe.
Role Overview
We’re looking for a senior, hands-on robotics engineer to lead the design, integration, and deployment of our next generation of autonomous nano-tractors (ANTs). This role owns critical parts of the system end-to-end - from electrical and electromechanical architecture through system integration, bring-up, and field validation.
You’ll operate as a technical leader across hardware, software, and autonomy - driving decisions that impact reliability, scalability, and production readiness. You’ll lead complex integration efforts, mentor other engineers, and set the standard for how we design, debug, and ship robust robotics systems.
Ideal for a multidisciplinary engineer with strong electrical engineering fundamentals who thrives in ambiguity - owning system-level problems and driving solutions from prototype through production deployment.
Key Responsibilities
System Integration & Bring-Up
Own integration of compute, sensors, actuators, power, and comms subsystems into the ANT platform
Lead system bring-up from first power-on through stable, field-ready operation
Debug complex cross-system issues spanning electrical, mechanical, and software domains
Define and refine wiring, harnessing, and power distribution for robust field operation and serviceability
Testing & Validation
Define and drive system-level testing and validation across lab and field environments
Lead structured root cause analysis of failures, driving systemic fixes across hardware and software
Define and evolve lab and system-level test plans, metrics, and tooling
Drive field validation efforts, translating real-world learnings into system and design improvements
Systems Architecture & Controls
Own system architecture across electrical, compute, and control subsystems
Define and evolve control interfaces between perception, planning, and actuation
Drive design decisions across power, comms (CAN, networking), and embedded systems
Technical Leadership
Lead complex, cross-functional efforts spanning hardware, software, and field operations
Mentor and guide engineers on system design, debugging, and best practices
Set the standard for engineering quality, reliability, and execution across the platform
Success Metrics (First 12–18 Months)
Lead successful bring-up and stabilization of ANT systems to reliable, field-ready operation
Reduce system-level failures through root cause resolution and improved validation processes
Improve platform reliability, serviceability, and performance across deployments
Capture lessons from 2026 deployments and steer improvements for future iteration
Required Qualifications
7+ years of experience in robotics, automation, or electromechanical systems
Strong fundamentals in electrical engineering (power systems, wiring, PCB, system integration)
Proven ownership of complex systems from prototype through production deployment
Strong track record of diagnosing and resolving system-level issues across hardware and software
Experience integrating sensors, actuators, and embedded compute in electromechanical systems
Proficiency with C++ and/or Python in robotics or embedded environments
Experience working with field robotics, autonomous systems, or other ruggedized platforms
Bonus Points
Experience with ROS2 and full-stack robotics system integration
Familiarity with NVIDIA Jetson or other embedded GPU/compute platforms
Experience with CAN, power distribution, or embedded electrical systems
Hands-on experience with camera systems for computer vision and navigation
Background in agricultural machinery, off-road vehicles, or ruggedized robotics
Our Culture
At BOPA, we value practical impact, humility, and speed of iteration. We test everything in the field, learn fast, and build with farmers. We believe diverse perspectives lead to better designs, and we’re committed to fostering inclusion and collaboration.
Why Join Us
Mission-Driven Work: Build robots that transform farming and rural economies
High Ownership: Own all hardware decisions and roadmap
Fast Iteration: Design, build, and see your systems operating in real-world fields within weeks
Equity & Growth: Share in the company’s success at scale
How to Apply
Send your resume, and a few lines about why this role excites you to recruiting@barnowlag.com
**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.