Forward Deployed Engineer (+ Equity) at Magic Pony founder-backed AI robotics startup

Job Title

Forward Deployed Engineer

Salary

Not Disclosed + Equity

Company Description

Seed‑stage applied AI robotics startup founded by a Magic Pony co‑founder and backed by top‑tier investors

Job Description

You will lead the first wave of real‑world robotics deployments in supermarkets and retail stores across the UK. Bridging the gap between the lab and the field, you will commission hardware, troubleshoot complex software and electrical issues on‑site, and collaborate with engineering teams to turn operational chaos into reliable automated solutions.

Location

London, UK

Why this role is remarkable

• Join an elite team of 15 from Amazon, InstaDeep, and world‑class universities like Imperial and Cambridge to build the UK’s leading applied AI robotics firm.
• Be the foundational hire for the Customer Deployment and Success team, directly shaping how next‑generation robots integrate into daily human labour.
• Work at the literal cutting edge of robotics, solving second‑order effects and edge cases that only emerge in live, unpredictable retail environments.

What You Will Do

• Lead the end‑to‑end installation and commissioning of robots at customer sites, ensuring seamless integration into live operational workflows.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and networking issues under pressure on‑site, acting as the primary technical point of contact for customers.
• Replicate field failures at HQ to drive iterative product improvements, working hand‑in‑hand with hardware and software engineering teams.

The ideal candidate

• Possesses a strong multidisciplinary background in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or Robotics with proven hands‑on experience in automation projects.
• Thrives in high‑stakes environments, willing to travel UK‑wide 3‑4 days per week and support early‑morning 4am operational shifts when required.
• Combines technical brilliance with a self‑directed, proactive mindset to navigate the ambiguity of a fast‑growing, seed‑stage startup environment.

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