Field Application Engineer – Robotics Networking

Your Role

Provide technical leadership to sales teams and customers covering networking architecture, silicon and product selection, bring-up, and software stack integration for NXP Ethernet switches, PHYs, and SerDes products targeting robotics platforms. Architect and support next-generation in-robot network topologies — including zonal and microzonal architectures, Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) backbones, 10BASE-T1S sensor/edge segments, and 48V combined power-and-data distribution using PoDL and PoE. Offer design support through schematic and PCB reviews, bench bring-up, debugging, root-cause analysis, and customer troubleshooting on complex multi-node robotic systems. Troubleshoot complex issues in the lab (schematics, board bring-up, software drivers) using oscilloscopes, network/protocol analyzers, and software debug/trace tools. Perform validation and performance tuning for Ethernet, SerDes, and industrial real-time protocol interfaces to meet the deterministic latency and synchronization requirements of motor control, servo drives, joint modules, and real-time perception pipelines. Deliver on-site and remote proof-of-concept builds using NXP evaluation kits and reference designs, demonstrating end-to-end network solutions for AMR, drone, and humanoid use cases. Lead technical training and project coordination across customers, business lines, and partners — running webinars, workshops, and deep-dives while managing timelines and deliverables.

Core Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• 10+ years in embedded systems development or applications support with microcontroller, switch, or SoC platforms, with demonstrated technical leadership.
• Proficient in C/C++ firmware development and debugging with ARM microcontrollers.
• Strong working knowledge of Ethernet controllers and switches — MAC, PHY, DMA, filters/queues, MDIO, switch configuration, and frame forwarding.
• Hands-on understanding of Single-Pair Ethernet PHY technologies (100/1000/2.5G BASE-T1, 10BASE-T1S) and the associated PMA/PMD layers.
• Familiarity with SerDes interfaces, PCIe Gen3/Gen4, and high-speed signal integrity considerations.
• Experience with low-latency, deterministic real-time Ethernet — TSN (time synchronization, traffic shaping, frame replication) and EtherCAT (distributed clocks, master / sub-device topologies).
• Working knowledge of functional safety (IEC 61508, ISO 13849) and cybersecurity (IEC 62443) standards relevant to robotics and industrial systems, plus Ethernet network segmentation and security (VLANs, MACsec, IEEE 802.1X).
• Familiarity with the broader industrial real-time protocol landscape (e.g., PROFINET, EtherNet/IP) used in robotics and factory automation.
• Experience with Power-over-Dataline (PoDL) and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), and 48V power architectures spanning BMS, motor drives, and combined power-and-data distribution in modern robots, AMRs, and humanoid platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with schematic review, signal analysis, and lab tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as needed, primarily within North America.

Specialty And Bonus Skills

• Knowledge of CAN networking technologies — CAN FD, CAN SIC, and emerging CAN XL — including partial networking and use in joint modules, BMS, and zonal nodes.
• Familiarity with ARM Cortex MCUs/SoCs and RTOS platforms (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, NuttX), and embedded Linux (kernel, u-boot, user-space) — particularly Ethernet driver and switchdev work.
• Familiarity with robotics-relevant compute and middleware: ROS / ROS 2, DDS, real-time Linux (PREEMPT_RT), and motor-control stacks.
• Experience optimizing PCB schematic design and layout for high-speed communication signals, including EMC/EMI for signal integrity in motor-noisy environments.