Robotics Deployment Engineering Manager

Formic; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to revolutionizing American manufacturing. As a Deployment Engineering Manager, you will lead the integration of cutting-edge robotics solutions, ensuring timely and efficient deployment while fostering a world-class customer experience. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with various teams to innovate and streamline processes, making a significant impact in a rapidly growing environment. If you are passionate about automation and eager to drive change in the manufacturing industry, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

401(k) Plan

Flexible Work Hours

Professional Development Opportunities

Paid Time Off

Remote Work Options

Team Building Activities

Employee Discounts

Wellness Programs

Commuter Benefits

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Systems Integration and Machine Building with leadership experience.
• Solid Modeling & 2D CAD experience required.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead in-house integration and ensure timely deployment of automation solutions.
• Develop processes for continuous improvement in cost and time-to-deploy.
• Collaborate with teams to maintain installation schedules and customer experience.

Skills

Systems Integration

Machine Building

Leadership

Solid Modeling

2D CAD

Automation

Communication

Resource Management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

Robotics Systems

Industrial 6-Axis Robots

PC and relevant technology

Job description

Who We Are:

At Formic, we’re 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 we’re 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 Deployment Engineering Team is responsible for the successful deployment of robotics-centric automation solutions across various applications. Led by the Robotics Deployment Engineering Manager, the Deployment Engineering Team supports any incremental fabrication, coding, configuration, and pre-installation validation in our Woodridge, IL facility, as well as the related installation and commissioning requirements at our customer sites.

You will partner closely with Formic Deployment Project Management, Production Optimization, and Software Engineering teams to deliver against scheduled dates, ensure a world-class customer experience, play an integral role in meeting Formic’s production goals, and make fast-turn, high-caliber automation possible for our customers.

As Deployment Engineering Manager, you will:

• Lead all aspects of Formic’s in-house integration. This includes confirmation of solution, system configuration, build, testing, pack-out, installation, commissioning, and acceptance testing.
• Develop standardized processes and tools to deliver continuous improvement and reduction in both cost and time-to-deploy our in-house integration solutions
• Define and implement approaches to integration, configuration, testing, and shipping/commissioning/ deployment that foster a world-class customer experience
• Coordinate resources with Deployment Project Management and Production Optimization to maintain agreed-upon installation schedules
• Communicate system inventory levels, configuration, testing status, and timelines to Deployment, Software Engineering, Production Optimization, Product, and Solutions teams
• Oversee Formic personnel who will perform the installation and commissioning activities for standard systems being shipped from Woodridge
• Support installation and commissioning activities as necessary
• Support efforts to evaluate the suitability of Formic’s standard solutions for specific customer applications through testing in the Woodridge facility
• Collaborate with the Product, Solutions and Software Engineering teams to rigorously evaluate the technical aspects of new solutions, focusing on safety, hardware, software, reliability, and serviceability
• Stay current on legal and safety requirements for robotic automation systems
• Apply and ensure adherence to Formic standardized processes and tools, SOPs, and relevant legal and safety requirements in all internal integration, configuration, and testing activities in Formic’s Woodridge, IL facility
• Oversee production operations at the Woodridge IL facility, ensuring that teams adhere to a safe operating environment and are able to make effective use of the facilities

What makes you a great fit:

• Bachelor’s Degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience) required
• Candidates must possess 5+ years of experience in Systems Integration or Machine Building, including progressively responsible roles with 3+ years of team leadership and 3+ years of hands-on work with industrial 6-Axis Robots. Additionally, 2+ years of direct experience installing or supervising the installation of industrial equipment or machinery is required
• Solid Modeling & 2D CAD experience required
• Automation experience, including end-of-line automation, robotic palletizing, de-palletizing, and/or case-packing is preferred, though not required
• Willingness to travel up to 30-50% of time in this position. Travel will decrease as the team grows.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, GMPs, SOPs, and safety standards in a manufacturing setting.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and resource management skills
• Proficient PC and relevant technology skills
• Willingness to report to the Woodridge, IL office when not traveling
• Valid driver’s license and access to your own vehicle is required to support local travel to sites (Note: Formic reimburses for mileage for work-related local travel aligned with travel policy)
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs #LI-MB1

What we look for:
We’re 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. You’re aware of the challenges we will face as a startup doing new things in an old space, but you’re 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 don’t do things just because that’s how they’ve 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 there’s 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 person’s merit, business needs, and role requirements. If you require further accommodations or have questions regarding accessibility of our roles, please reach out to [e-mail].