Robotics Solutions Engineer - Pre-Sales

Roboticsconnected; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Formic

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage

Paid Parental Leave

Company-sponsored 401(k)

Home Office Stipend

Monthly Cell Phone Reimbursement

Flexible Time Off

Job summary

Formic is hiring a pre-sales technical specialist to partner with prospective customers, translating production goals into scoped automation solutions. You will develop deep product knowledge, engage cross-functionally, and ensure smooth handoffs to deployment.

This role blends engineering rigor with business outcomes across diverse manufacturing environments. You will lead discovery, craft accurate scopes, and contribute to fast, credible proposals.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a pre-sales technical role.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing environments (packaging, food production, industrial operations, or related).
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related field).
• Strong ability to build credibility and lead solution-oriented conversations with manufacturing customers.
• Ability to run meetings with diverse stakeholders and translate technical detail into clear business outcomes.
• Expertise in one or more automation segments (palletizing and/or case packing strongly preferred).
• Familiarity with major 6-axis robot OEMs (FANUC, KUKA, Yaskawa, ABB, Universal Robots, etc.).
• Proficiency in CAD drafting and reviewing customer layout/process data.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple parallel scopes and deliverables.
• Willingness to travel up to 35–40%.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for local travel.

Responsibilities

• Partner with prospective customers and Sales to understand production challenges, constraints, and automation requirements.
• Lead technical discovery and requirements gathering to inform solution design.
• Analyze production data, CAD files, parts lists, and process details to build accurate scopes of work.
• Design and scope robotic automation solutions using Formic’s modular automation portfolio.
• Produce quick-turn cost estimates to support proposal development and deal execution.
• Iterate solutions based on feedback from customers, Sales, and internal technical stakeholders.
• Participate in customer meetings and design reviews throughout the pre-sales process.
• Drive clean handoffs from Sales/Solutions to Deployment, ensuring requirements and assumptions are clearly documented.
• Manage multiple proposals and technical workstreams in parallel.
• Recommend improvements to standard designs, tools, or procedures based on learnings from the field.
• Identify gaps in Formic’s technical, operational, or commercial offering based on customer feedback.
• Visit customer sites as needed to support discovery, validation, and scoping.

Skills

Pre-sales experience

Manufacturing experience

Technical communication

CAD drafting

Robot OEM knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD software

ERP systems

Job description

Formic is hiring a pre-sales technical specialist to partner with prospective customers, translating production goals into scoped automation solutions. You will develop deep product knowledge, engage cross-functionally, and ensure smooth handoffs to deployment.

This role blends engineering rigor with business outcomes across diverse manufacturing environments. You will lead discovery, craft accurate scopes, and contribute to fast, credible proposals.