Controls & Automation Engineer

Who we are:

Formic is on a mission to reshape American manufacturing by making automation accessible to every factory. As labor constraints rise, costs increase, and global competition intensifies, automation is no longer optional for manufacturers that want to stay competitive.

We deliver automation through a Robotics-as-a-Service model that combines industrial robotics, proprietary software, and full-service support into a single, integrated solution. By removing the traditional barriers of cost, complexity, and risk, we enable manufacturers to deploy automation quickly and realize measurable gains in throughput, safety, and operational efficiency without large upfront capital investment.

Backed by leading investors including Lux Capital, Initialized Capital, Blackhorn Ventures, and Mitsubishi HC Capital North America, Formic is scaling rapidly and building the foundation for a new era of high-performance, Made in America production.

About the team:

The Fleet Operations Team drives uptime and operational performance across Formic's growing fleet of deployed robotic systems. Working inside live manufacturing environments, the team diagnoses issues, restores production, and continuously improves system reliability at scale. Fleet Operations operates at the intersection of robotics, controls, and real-world factory execution, ensuring Formic's automation delivers consistent, measurable performance across diverse industrial applications.

About the role:

As Controls & Automation Engineer, you will own advanced technical support and the long-term reliability of deployed robotic systems. You will operate at the intersection of troubleshooting, system optimization, and product improvement, ensuring automation systems perform consistently in demanding production environments.

This role blends reactive support with proactive engineering. You will diagnose complex failures, implement structured improvements, and partner cross-functionally to strengthen system stability across the fleet. Your work will directly impact system uptime, performance consistency, and long-term customer success.

In this role you will:

• Diagnose and resolve complex automation failures to minimize production downtime
• Design and implement preventative and predictive strategies that improve system reliability
• Lead system-level continuous improvement initiatives, including hardware and software upgrades
• Analyze production data and diagnostic trends to identify systemic performance gaps
• Provide remote support by responding to service tickets, guiding troubleshooting efforts, and triaging issues to onsite teams when required
• Support field service activities within your local region for both reactive and preventative maintenance
• Partner with Product, Deployment, and Engineering teams to standardize equipment configurations and improve system repeatability
• Maintain system documentation, including procedures, maintenance logs, and change-control records
• Serve as the escalation point for complex technical issues across the fleet
• Mentor field technicians and engineers on troubleshooting and system health best practices
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, internal quality requirements, and relevant industry regulations
• Collaborate with vendors to improve parts availability, diagnostic capabilities, and technical support

What makes you a great fit:

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or industrial robotics environments
• Strong proficiency programming PLCs, robots, and industrial control systems
• Solid understanding of robotic systems, motion systems, and automated manufacturing equipment
• Hands-on experience diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and control system failures
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings
• Experience working in uptime-critical manufacturing environments
• Strong problem-solving skills and a structured troubleshooting methodology
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating cross-functionally
• Willingness to travel up to 50% based on business needs
• Valid driver's license and ability to support local travel

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments
• Experience standardizing automation systems across multiple deployed sites
• Exposure to data-driven maintenance or predictive monitoring tools

What we look for:

We're building this company from the ground up, and every person we hire has an outsized impact on our culture, performance, and trajectory. While each team member brings unique strengths and perspectives, we look for people who align with our Operating Principles and embody them in action. If this sounds like you, Formic may be the right place for you!

• Fearless Optimism: You make bold bets and default optimistic. You believe in the mission, aren't paralyzed by risk, and fear inaction more than failure. You see ambiguity as opportunity