Controls & Automation Engineer for Robotic Fleet

Formic; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Formic

Competitive commission structure

Healthcare coverage: medical, dental,

401(k) plan

Home office stipend

Cell phone reimbursement

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Formic is seeking a highly skilled Controls & Automation Engineer to own advanced troubleshooting and long-term reliability of deployed robotic systems. You will work at the intersection of diagnostics, system optimization, and product improvement to ensure uptime and performance 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

Qualifications

• 5+ 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

PLC programming

Robotics systems

Electrical & mechanical troubleshoot

Reading schematics

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Travel readiness

Driver's license

Tools

Diagnostics tools

Automation hardware

Robotics software tools

Job description

Formic is seeking a highly skilled Controls & Automation Engineer to own advanced troubleshooting and long-term reliability of deployed robotic systems. You will work at the intersection of diagnostics, system optimization, and product improvement to ensure uptime and performance 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