Head of Maintenance and Repair

Location: San Carlos, CA (on-site)

About 1X

We're an AI and robotics company based in San Carlos, California, on a mission to build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously.

We believe that to truly understand the world and grow in intelligence, humanoid robots must live and learn alongside us. That's why we're focused on developing friendly home robots designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life.

We're looking for curious, driven, and passionate people who want to help shape the future of robotics and AI. If this mission excites you, we'd be thrilled to hear from you and explore how you might contribute to our journey.

The Role

We are seeking a highly technical and hands-on leader to build and scale our internal Maintenance and Repair Operations function. This role will own the end-to-end workflow for diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining robotic systems within our workshop environment.

You will lead the development of a high-performing team responsible for troubleshooting and repairing electromechanical systems at increasing scale—from early low-volume prototype builds to high-throughput production operations. Your work will play a critical role in system reliability, product feedback loops, and operational readiness as we scale production.

This role requires deep technical judgment, strong operational instincts, and a willingness to work hands-on alongside the team in a fast-paced startup environment.

You Will

• Build and lead the internal Maintenance and Repair organization for robotic systems

• Augment the playbooks and mentor the process to diagnose and troubleshoot complex electromechanical failures at both system and component level

• Establish and scale repair workflows, including intake, triage, repair, validation, and return-to-service processes

• Hire, coach, and develop a team of repair technicians and diagnostic/service engineers (mix of non-exempt and exempt roles)

• Define roles, responsibilities, and career progression across the Maintenance and Repair organization

• In partnership with the Quality Assurance team develop and implement structured processes for failure tracking, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement

• Partner closely with design, manufacturing, and reliability engineering to drive product improvements based on field and production failures

• Interpret and enforce use of technical documentation including schematics, work instructions, and bills of materials (BOMs)

• Hold the highest quality standards, safety requirements, and traceability expectations

• Support the transition from low-volume builds to higher-volume repair and refurbishment operations

• Maintain a strong presence on the floor — actively engaging in troubleshooting, mentoring, and process development

Must Have

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline required 

• 8-12+ years of experience in electromechanical systems repair, maintenance, or sustaining engineering

• Proven experience leading and scaling technical teams in high-growth or production environments

• Strong hands-on capability — able and willing to personally diagnose and repair complex systems

• Background in high-reliability, process-driven industries (e.g., automotive, aerospace, robotics, or similar)

• Experience working with structured documentation including BOMs, schematics, and engineering change orders

• Demonstrated ability to build and improve operational workflows in repair, maintenance, or manufacturing environments

• Experience managing both technicians (hourly) and engineers (salaried)

• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills

• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with evolving processes

Nice to Have

• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, EV platforms, or aviation environments

• Background in scaling repair or depot operations from low to medium/high volume

• Familiarity with reliability engineering concepts and failure analysis methodologies

• Experience implementing repair tracking systems or service data infrastructure

• Exposure to regulated or safety-critical systems with traceability requirements

Benefits & Compensation

Salary Range: $195,000-$240,000

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Equal Opportunity Employer

1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.