Field Operations Intern

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Test Farm Operations: Assist in the daily setup, staging, operation, and field testing of our autonomous vehicles and equipment at our Davis test facility.
• Essential Test Site & Fleet Support: Keep field testing running efficiently by maintaining an organized, safe, and ready testing environment, managing equipment staging, and assisting with local part and component…
• Test Plan Execution: Execute structured test plans to evaluate hardware, software, machine vision sensors, and overall system performance under varied field conditions.
• Basic Support & Maintenance: Help diagnose mechanical, electrical, and software issues on test machinery, assisting the team with immediate field fixes and routine hardware maintenance.
• Data Collection & Documentation: Meticulously collect, log, and document test run results, system issues, and performance metrics to share with Engineering and Product teams.
• Logistics & Equipment Prep: Help maintain test farm inventory, prepare prototype equipment for testing sessions, and ensure test rigs and tools are properly organized and calibrated.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with field operations, hardware, and software engineering teams to communicate on-the-ground observations and help keep operations running smoothly.

Job requirements

• Education Focus: Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Ag Systems Technology, Agronomy, or a related…
• Hands-on Aptitude: Comfort and experience working around mechanical tools, basic electronics, or outdoor machinery (farm machinery, shop tools, or robotics projects).
• Problem-Solving Skills: Practical, methodical approach to troubleshooting complex equipment involving integrated hardware and software.
• Communication & Teamwork: Strong verbal and written communication skills with a collaborative, eager-to-learn mindset and a "no task too small" attitude toward operational success.
• Physical & Outdoor Readiness: Ability to work comfortably outdoors on the test farm in varying seasonal weather conditions. Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Location & Travel: Based locally near Davis, CA. Position is centered at the Davis test farm with occasional travel to nearby local partner fields (up to 15%).