Sr. Manufacturing Process Engineer

Foundation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k)

Job summary

A pioneering robotics company in San Francisco is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize processes for robotic subassemblies. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 3 years of experience in manufacturing process development. Candidates should have a strong understanding of DFM principles, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. The position offers a salary range of $140,000 to $180,000.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing process development or related engineering roles.
• Hands-on experience with process documentation, time studies, and labor planning.
• Experience in cell manufacturing environments is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for robotic subassemblies.
• Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure DFM principles are applied.
• Document work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process flows.

Skills

Manufacturing process development

DFM principles

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Process documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD

Digital manufacturing tools

Statistical process control (SPC) tools

Job description

About Foundation Robotics

Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.

Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.

We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team.

Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite — it's your talent and determination that truly count.

We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.

Our Culture — We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.

Who should join

• You like working in person with a team in San Francisco.
• You deeply believe that this is the most important mission for humanity and needs to happen yesterday.
• You are highly technical — regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
• You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to “fix” it.
• You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

What you'll do

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for robotic subassemblies and full systems, with a focus on repeatability, efficiency, and scalability.
• Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure DFM principles are applied early in the product development lifecycle.
• Plan labor requirements and takt time for cell-based manufacturing environments.
• Design and implement quality control procedures and inspection methods to ensure robust manufacturing outputs.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through root cause analysis, process audits, and corrective action planning.
• Document work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and process flows.
• Work closely with operations, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless production readiness.
• Assist in ramping up production from prototype to low- and high-volume builds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing process development or related engineering roles.
• Strong understanding of DFM principles and experience working closely with product development teams.
• Hands‑on experience with process documentation, time studies, and labor planning.
• Proven ability to implement quality control systems in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience in cell manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with robotic systems, automation, or electromechanical assemblies is a plus.
• Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills.
• Preferred skills:
• Experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES) or digital manufacturing tools.
• Proficiency in CAD and statistical process control (SPC) tools.
• Background in early‑stage hardware startups or fast‑paced R&D environments.

Benefits

We provide market standard benefits (health, vision, dental, 401k, etc.). Join us for the culture and the mission, not for the benefits.

Salary

$140,000 - $180,000.00