Field Application Engineer – Robotics Networking
$166,200 - $228,500 USD yearly
Originally posted 15 June 2026 by the employer.
About the role
As a Field Application Engineer for Robotics Networking at NXP Semiconductors, you will support customers deploying networking and high-speed communication technologies into autonomous mobile robots, drones, and humanoid platforms. The role centers on deterministic, low-latency communication architectures connecting compute, perception, and motor control across robotic platforms.
What you'll do
- Guide customers through Ethernet switch, PHY, and SerDes selection, bench bring-up, and software integration across robot architectures.
- Architect in-robot network topologies, including zonal and microzonal architectures, Single-Pair Ethernet backbones, 10BASE-T1S sensor segments, and PoDL distribution.
- Provide hands-on schematic reviews, bench bring-up, lab debugging, and tuning of Ethernet and real-time protocol interfaces for deterministic latency.
- Deliver on-site and remote proof-of-concept builds using NXP evaluation kits and reference designs for AMR, drone, and humanoid use cases.
- Lead technical training, workshops, and customer deep-dives on NXP robotics networking solutions.
What you'll need
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
- 10+ years in embedded systems development or applications support with networking, switch, or SoC platforms, with demonstrated technical leadership.
- Systems-level understanding of robotics platforms (humanoids, AMRs, drones) connecting compute, perception, motor control, and power subsystems.
- Proficiency in C/C++ firmware development and debugging with ARM microcontrollers.
- Hands-on knowledge of Ethernet controllers, switches, and PHY technologies, including MAC/PHY/DMA, switch configuration, and Single-Pair Ethernet (BASE-T1, 10BASE-T1S).
- Experience with deterministic real-time Ethernet protocols (TSN and EtherCAT) and familiarity with PoDL power-and-data distribution.
- Troubleshooting skills with schematic review, signal analysis, and lab tools.
Nice to have
- Knowledge of CAN networking technologies such as CAN FD, CAN SIC, and emerging CAN XL in joint modules, BMS, and zonal nodes.
- Familiarity with RTOS platforms (FreeRTOS, Zephyr, NuttX), embedded Linux (Ethernet driver/switchdev), and robotics middleware (ROS 2, DDS, PREEMPT_RT).
- Familiarity with SerDes interfaces, PCIe Gen3/Gen4, and high-speed signal integrity considerations.
- Knowledge of functional safety standards (IEC 61508, ISO 13849), cybersecurity (IEC 62443), and Ethernet network segmentation (VLANs, MACsec, IEEE 802.1X).
Skills: FAE, robotics, Ethernet, SerDes, technical leadership
More semiconductor jobs: NXP Semiconductors jobs · Field applications engineer jobs
This role has been open 130 days — well above the 59-day median for Applications FAE roles.
Applications FAE · Serdes Highspeed
|
Open roles in category
103
|
Median days open
59 d
|
Category median salary (all employers)
$181k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | NXP Semiconductors | All employers we track in this specialty (103 roles · 24 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 5 | 103 |
| Median days open | 2 d | 59 d (−57 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $181k |
Skills observed across this category: FAE, robotics, Ethernet, SerDes, technical leadership
Who's hiring in this category
- Astera Labs · 14 open roles · median 78 d
- Synopsys · 14 open roles · median 44 d
- Keysight Technologies · 11 open roles · median 51 d
- MACOM · 9 open roles · median 2 d
- Qualcomm · 9 open roles · median 59 d
- Microchip Technology · 7 open roles · median 50 d
How we counted: 103 open Applications FAE (Serdes Highspeed) roles from 24 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 30 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there. Figures refresh nightly.