Senior Automation Sustaining Engineer - Formic : Job Details

At Formic, were on a mission to revolutionize American manufacturing and create more abundance in the world. We believe in continuing the American legacy of innovation by making automation accessible to all manufacturers and increasing their factory productivity by 10x.

Built upon deep expertise in robotics and manufacturing, our unique full service automation solutions combine the best automation technology, software, and analysis tools for manufacturers with best in class uptime, support, and maintenance services. We are creating a new era of supercharged efficiency and competitiveness for US manufacturers.

As the world faces growing pressure from tariffs, rising costs, and labor shortages, Formic is uniquely positioned as the industry leading solution to overcome these challenges. Fueled by our vision for a re-industrialized domestic supply chain, everything we do is aimed at growing Made in America products. And were growing fast - achieving 7x growth in production hours YoY.

Supporting us in our mission, with investments thus far totaling over $60 million, are backers including Lux Capital, Initialized Capital, Blackhorn Ventures, Mitsubishi HC Capital NA, and CEOs and founders of multiple Fortune 50 companies.

The Production Optimization Teamis dedicated to ensuring both customer satisfaction and the seamless operation of our robots. Together, the the various sub teams, including Customer Success and Monitoring & Maintenance, work to maximize robot performance and provide ongoing support to guarantee a smooth and efficient user experience for our customers.The Robotics Field Service Technicians and Engineers works on the forefront of robotic automation using Formics suite of monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to guide preventative, corrective, and predictive maintenance activities across Formics growing fleet of deployed robotic cells. They work with a variety of robotic equipment and OEMs, delivering innovative and value-add automation to our manufacturing sector customers.

As a Senior Automation Sustaining Engineeryou will beresponsible for maintaining, improving, and ensuring the continuous operation of manufacturing automation systems and equipment. This role involves working closely with production teams, quality assurance, and engineering personnel to troubleshoot issues, implement improvements, and ensure that equipment meets performance standards.

In this role you will:

• Diagnose and remedy automation failures to minimize downtime
• Design and deploy preventative strategies that boost system uptime and reliability
• Drive continuous-improvement projects: scope, plan, and deliver hardware/software upgrades
• Analyze production data and field diagnostics to uncover performance-optimization opportunities
• Partner with Product, Deployment, and Engineering teams to standardize and streamline equipment setups
• Own equipment documentation: operating procedures, maintenance logs, and change-control records
• Mentor and train other technicians and engineers on best practices for system health and troubleshooting
• Enforce compliance with safety standards, industry regulations, and internal quality guidelines
• Serve as the go-to technical authority for complex escalations and cross-functional initiatives
• Cultivate vendor relationships to ensure robust support, parts availability, and advanced diagnostics
• Stay ahead of automation trends; recommend and pilot cutting-edge solutions that align with Formics roadmap

What makes you a great fit:

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in manufacturing automation engineering
• Proficiency in automation technologies, including PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming and HMI (Human-Machine Interface).
• Solid foundation in control theory, robotics, and automated manufacturing systems
• Knowledge of PLCs, automation, and control systems
• Familiarity with industrial standards and regulations related to manufacturing automation
• Strong technical skills in diagnosing and repairing mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems
• Proficiency in CAD software and ability to read technical drawings
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills for teamwork, troubleshooting, and brainstorming
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• The ability to work in a manufacturing environment, which may include exposure to noise, heat, and hazardous materials
• The ability to lift and move equipment and components as needed
• 50% - 75% travel required to manufacturing sites or equipment suppliers
• Possession of a current, valid drivers license and access to your own vehicle for local travel
  • Formic provides mileage and expense reimbursement for travel-related expenses within policy

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment

At Formic, we believe you perform your best when you're supported in caring for yourself and your loved ones. That's why we've thoughtfully designed a comprehensive benefits and perks package for our full-time, U.S.-based team members, including:

Equity in Formic: Own a meaningful stake in a fast-growing Series A startup, backed by leading global investors

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 99% covered Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans, with 75% coverage for dependents, provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield and Guardian

Additional Fully Covered Insurance Benefits: FSA & DCFSA, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability through Guardian, all 100% employer-paid

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Fully funded by Formic and provided via Guardian, offering support when you need it most

Paid Parental Leave: Generous parental leave to support our employees and their growing families

Company-sponsored 401(k): Invest in your future with our company-backed retirement savings plan

Home Office Stipend: A one-time allowance for fully remote employees to set up your ideal at-home or on the road work environment

Monthly Cell-Phone Reimbursement: Monthly stipend toward phone and internet expenses

Flexible Time-Off: Take the time you need, when you need it, supported by our flexible PTO policy

Paid Company Holidays: Celebrate important dates with paid time off

Formics compensation packages - including salaries and equity - are thoughtfully benchmarked against peer companies at a similar growth stage. Equity represents a critical part of our mutual investment: when Formic succeeds, so do you.

Final compensation packages are carefully customized based on candidate preference for cash and equity balance, experience, geographic location, and market considerations. Our goal is to attract and reward top talent who will significantly impact our organization. We're open to meaningful discussions about compensation structure to secure exceptional team members.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is detailed below.

Base Salary Range:

$115,000 - $135,000 USD

What we look for: Were building a company from the ground up, so every single person we hire has a massive impact on our team, culture, and ability to accomplish our mission. While each individual brings their own unique skills and perspectives to Formic, we look for people who share our vision and act in alignment with our Operating Principles . If this sounds like you, Formic could be the place for you!

• Fearless Optimism:You share our ambitious vision of what we can accomplish. Youre aware of the challenges we will face as a startup doing new things in an old space, but youre energized by the incredible opportunity we have to drive change for our customers, and for the manufacturing industry at large.
• Factories First:You have a strong customer focus, no matter who your customer is. You seek to make things easier and better for our customers, even if it makes your job a little harder.
• Today, Not Tomorrow:There are always plenty of projects to tackle in a startup, but you prioritize, take accountability for work, and have a bias toward action.
• Be Right Often:You dont do things just because thats how theyve always been done. You keep looking for ways to improve, seek out feedback along the way, and back your decisions up with data.
• Made of Rubber:Justlike rubber, when you fall you bounce back up. You know theres going to be a lot of challenge and change in our work ahead but you are adaptable, resilient, and ready to thrive through it all.
• Good Baton Passes:You work with a desire to make things easier and better for your team members. You use empathy to understand the needs and goals of others and support each other so Formic can be successful together.

Formic is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, family or parental status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. All employment decisions are based on a persons merit, business needs, and role requirements. If you require further accommodations or have questions regarding accessibility of our roles, please reach out to [email protected].

*

indicates a required field

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Location (City) *

Resume/CV *

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

LinkedIn URL *

How did you find out about this opportunity? *

Where are you located? Are you open to relocation to other parts of the United States? *

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? *

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for Formic to employ you? If so, please explain. *

Do you have a current, valid drivers license and access to a car? (Note: car and drivers license are required due to the local travel involved in this position. Formic provides mileage reimbursements and covers travel and expenses within our expense policy) * Select...

What is your experience with five and/or six-axis robotic arms? *

Describe a specific instance when you diagnosed and resolved a critical automation or robotic system failure in your career. What was the root cause, what steps did you take (tools, data analysis, cross-functional collaboration), and what measurable impact did your intervention have on uptime or production throughput? *

We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process.

How would you describe your gender identity? (mark all that apply) Select...

How would you describe your racial/ethnic background? (mark all that apply) Select...

How would you describe your sexual orientation? (mark all that apply) Select...

Do you identify as transgender? Select...

Do you have a disability or chronic condition (physical, visual, auditory, cognitive, mental, emotional, or other) that substantially limits one or more of your major life activities, including mobility, communication (seeing, hearing, speaking), and learning? Select...

Are you a veteran or active member of the United States Armed Forces? Select...