Field Application Engineer – Robotics MCU & Motor Control
NXP Semiconductors · Remote · San Jose, United States +1 · 13d ago
LOCATION:
USA (home office) – Preference for California Bay Area, Boston Metro or Austin metro.
Candidates must be willing to travel to customer sites throughout the US.
Introduction
AI is rapidly moving beyond research labs and into the real world—powering advancements in vehicles, factories, hospitals, homes, and everyday devices. NXP’s Global Sales organization is the force that transforms our intelligent edge vision into meaningful market impact. We operate on the front lines of innovation, delivering real‑world AI, secure edge intelligence, and breakthrough technologies to the customers shaping tomorrow’s world. As a strategic partner at the intersection of customer ambition and NXP capability, our global sales team drives alignment, opens new markets, and builds the relationships that lead to design wins and revenue growth. Through deep market insight and long‑term collaboration, we embed customer‑centricity into every decision and help accelerate innovation at the system‑solution level. This disciplined, client‑first mindset enables us to architect integrated, future‑ready solutions that deliver sustained value and strengthen NXP’s competitive advantage. We thrive in a high‑performance, high‑ownership environment—competing boldly, executing with urgency, and celebrating results. If you want to win big, grow fast, and work with the customers building what’s next, NXP Global Sales is where ambition becomes achievement.
What to Expect
We are seeking a highly motivated, experienced engineer to join our FAE team supporting the rapidly growing robotics market — humanoids, drones, and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) platforms.
You will help our customers design and deploy NXP MCUs, real-time crossover processors, and motor-control silicon into the heart of next-generation robotic systems — driving brushless motors, servo joints, dexterous hands, and high-precision control. This is a US home-office-based role, with preference for candidates in the California Bay Area, Boston metro, Detroit metro, or Austin, but all US locations will be considered. Candidates must be willing to travel, primarily within the US.
Ready to make your mark on the future of robotics? Apply now and let’s build something amazing together!
Your Role
Serve as the technical lead and system-level expert for NXP robotics motor-control solutions — guiding customers through MCU selection, bring-up, and software stack integration, and architecting scalable multi-DOF control systems from single-axis evaluation to full humanoid and AMR platforms.
Champion customer and market trend input for new product definition and design strategy via collaboration with product lines.
Provide hands-on design support — schematic and PCB reviews, bench bring-up, lab debugging (oscilloscopes, current probes, power analyzers, trace tools), and root-cause analysis on motor-control systems.
Deliver on-site and remote proof-of-concept builds using NXP evaluation kits, motor-control reference designs, and motor-control SDK enablement, demonstrating end-to-end solutions for AMR, drone, and humanoid use cases.
Lead technical training — webinars, workshops, customer deep-dives, and internal alignment sessions — on NXP’s robotics MCU and motor-control portfolio.
Core Requirements
Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science or equivalent.
10+ years in embedded systems development or applications support for MCU-based motor-control systems, with demonstrated technical leadership.
Systems-level understanding of robotics platforms (humanoids, AMRs, drones) — including how motor-control nodes integrate with higher-level compute, perception, communication, and power subsystems.
Proficient in C/C++ firmware development and debugging with ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
Deep hands-on expertise in motor-control: FOC, sensored/sensorless commutation, and loop design — with working knowledge of BLDC/PMSM topologies, PWM/ADC peripherals, and motor feedback interfaces.
Strong troubleshooting skills with schematic review, signal analysis, and lab tools.
Strong communicator with both technical and non-technical audiences; demonstrated ability to lead and operate autonomously.
Specialty & Bonus Skills
Familiarity with real-time motion-control communication (CAN FD, EtherCAT, TSN) and RTOS platforms (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, NuttX).
Familiarity with functional safety (ISO 26262, IEC 61508) and cybersecurity (IEC 62443) requirements for motor-control systems, including lockstep architectures and secure boot.
Experience with gate drivers, 48V/battery system architectures, and PCB design for high-current motor-drive environments.
The base salary range for this position is as mentioned below per year. We also provide competitive benefits, incentive compensation, and/or equity for certain roles.
Company benefits include health. dental, and vision insurance. 401(k), and paid leave. Please note that the base salary range (OR hourly rate) is a guideline, and individual total compensation may vary based on a number of factors such as qualifications, skill level, work location, and other business and organizational needs. This base pay range is specific to California and is not applicable to other locations. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range as of the date of this posting is:
More information about NXP in the United States...
NXP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer regardless of age, color, national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, status as a disabled veteran and/or veteran of the Vietnam Era or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, NXP will provide reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.
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