Robotics Field Service Engineer

Formic Technologies, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in robotic automation is seeking a Field Service Engineer to ensure optimal machinery operation across various manufacturing sites. This role requires hands-on experience with robotic systems and offers competitive compensation alongside a robust benefits package. The ideal candidate should be a self-starter, willing to travel, and able to provide high-quality customer service while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Benefits

Equity in Formic

Comprehensive healthcare coverage

Paid parental leave

Flexible time-off

Company-sponsored 401(k)

Qualifications

• 4+ years of field service experience with robotics automation.
• Hands-on experience with popular robotic brands (Fanuc, Kuka, etc.).
• Ability to travel locally up to 80%.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventative, corrective, and predictive maintenance.
• Coordinate inspections and repairs of robotic cells.
• Mentor junior engineers and maintain compliance with safety standards.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Preventative maintenance

Technical diagnosis

Customer service orientation

Attention to detail

Education

Field Service Experience

Tools

CMMS

Job description

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 Production Optimization Team is 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 Formic’s suite of monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to guide preventative, corrective, and predictive maintenance activities across Formic’s growing fleet of deployed robotic cells. They work with a variety of robotic equipment and OEM’s, delivering innovative and value-add automation to our manufacturing sector customers.

In this role you will:

• Perform preventative, corrective, and predictive maintenance activities for Formic’s robotic cells in customer sites
• Coordinate and execute inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks on robotic-centric manufacturing cells in the field
• Systematically diagnose technical issues, apply standard resolution tactics, and repair equipment with consistency
• Demonstrate passion about robotics-centric automation, be energized by the variety of manufacturing settings you will encounter, and use your demonstrated troubleshooting and maintenance skills to meet and exceed customer expectations
• Proactively identify potential problems and provide solutions, instilling customer confidence in Formic service
• Provide detailed service reports that list the Issue, root cause analysis (RCA) and solution
• Lead RCA activities with a team of engineers and technicians across the team
• Effectively communicate with all levels of internal and external stakeholders from operators to senior management and executives
• Demonstrate a high level of attention to detail in everything thing you do
• Mentor junior or newly hired Field Service Engineers and Technicians as needed
• Coordinate onsite schedule (self, vendor, and when applicable, other technicians) in alignment with customer expectations
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and policies, as well as a clean and safe work environment

What makes you a great fit:

• 4+ years field service experience with robotics automation
• Hands-on experience installing, repairing, or maintaining Fanuc, Kuka, Yaskawa, ABB, and/or Universal Robots robotic cells
• Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
• A motivated self-starter, able to work independently
• Ability to travel up to 80% - mostly driving within a local area - with up to 20% requiring overnight stays
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including occasional weekends, nights, and on-call hours to support production outages
  • Typical start time is 7:00 AM at our local office or customer site, but schedules may vary based on employee's location as well as travel or business requirements
• Current, valid drivers license and access to your own vehicle for daily local travel
  • Formic provides mileage and expense reimbursement for travel-related expenses within policy
• Currently located in, or willing to relocate to the greater Chicago area

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience in food manufacturing, packaging, automotive or other high-speed manufacturing environments
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, GMPs, SOPs, and safety standards in a manufacturing setting
• Strong spoken Spanish language proficiency

Our Total Rewards

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

Compensation Philosophy

Formic’s 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:

$70,000 - $120,000 USD

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].

Apply for this job

*

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? *

Are you located in and legally authorized to work in the United States? * Select...

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

Are you currently located in, or willing to relocate to, the greater Chicago, IL area? (If relocation is required, Formic will provide financial assistance as part of a job offer.) * Select...

Do you have a current, valid drivers license and access to a car? (A car and drivers license are a requirement of this role due to the local travel involved in this position; Formic provides mileage reimbursements and covers related travel and expenses.) * Select...

Describe your professional five and six-axis robotic arm experience. *

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

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...