Controls & Automation Engineer

Who we are:

Formic is on a mission to reshape American manufacturing by making automation accessible to every factory. As labor constraints rise, costs increase, and global competition intensifies, automation is no longer optional for manufacturers that want to stay competitive.

We deliver automation through a Robotics-as-a-Service model that combines industrial robotics, proprietary software, and full-service support into a single, integrated solution. By removing the traditional barriers of cost, complexity, and risk, we enable manufacturers to deploy automation quickly and realize measurable gains in throughput, safety, and operational efficiency without large upfront capital investment.

Backed by leading investors including Lux Capital, Initialized Capital, Blackhorn Ventures, and Mitsubishi HC Capital North America, Formic is scaling rapidly and building the foundation for a new era of high-performance, Made in America production.

About the team:

The Project Engineering team is a multidisciplinary engineering group within Automation Engineering Group, bringing mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering together under a single organization. The team serves as the engineering escalation path for the deployed fleet, taking on problems that exceed field-level troubleshooting and converting them into scoped, engineered, and standardized solutions.

The team's work spans three connected areas. The first is the troubleshooting of complex problems: diagnosing multi-discipline failures across deployed robotic systems and engineering permanent, root-cause fixes rather than repeat repairs. The second is continuous improvement: converting recurring issues and field data into reliability upgrades and fleet-wide standardization. The third is support for existing and new product development and enhancements, in partnership with teams across the organization, to improve equipment currently in the field and to bring new capability online.

Positioned at the intersection of design, commissioning, and field support, the team operates as a cross-functional unit, with engineers at the Bolingbrook hub working alongside field implementation resources across North America. The work is a deliberate blend of reactive support and proactive engineering, and each role on the team contributes to uptime, performance consistency, and long-term customer outcomes across the fleet.

About the role:

As a Controls and Automation Engineer, you will apply advanced engineering principles to the design, analysis, optimization, reliability, and continuous improvement of deployed robotic systems. You will independently evaluate complex, multidisciplinary technical problems, develop engineered solutions, and exercise technical judgment in determining how those solutions are designed, validated, and implemented across Formic's fleet in demanding production environments.

This role blends reactive support with proactive engineering. You will diagnose complex issues, implement structured improvements, and partner cross-functionally to strengthen system stability across the fleet. Your work directly impacts uptime, performance consistency, and long-term customer outcomes.

In this role you will:

• •As a Robotics and Automation Project Engineer,
• Provide advanced engineering support for escalated technical issues, analyzing system behavior and developing troubleshooting and remediation strategies for execution by onsite teams.

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 to onsite teams when needed

Partner with Product, Deployment, and Engineering teams to standardize equipment configurations and improve repeatability

Own and 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 industry regulations

Collaborate with vendors to improve parts availability, diagnostics capability, and technical support

What makes you a great fit:

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, controls engineering, mechatronics, robotics engineering, or another directly related engineering discipline

10+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or industrial robotics environments

Strong proficiency in 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 electrical schematics and technical drawings

Experience working in uptime-critical manufacturing environments

Strong problem-solving skills and structured troubleshooting approach

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

Bonus points if you have:

Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments

Experience standardizing equipment across multiple deployed sites

Exposure to data-driven maintenance or predictive monitoring tools

Our Total Rewards:

At Formic, we believe people do their best work when they feel supported both professionally and personally. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits and perks package for full-time, U.S.-based team members, including:

Equity in Formic: Participate in our stock option program and share in the success of a fast-growing start-up backed by leading global investors

Competitive & Uncapped Commission Structure: Designed to reward performance and impact in commission-eligible roles

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield and Unum, with 99% of employee premiums covered and 75% coverage for dependents, with optional buy-up plans available

Additional Insurance Benefits: FSA and DCFSA, life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability through Unum, all 100% employer-paid

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Fully funded by Formic, offering support when you need it most

Paid Parental Leave Program: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave

Company-sponsored 401(k): Invest in your future with our company-facilitated retirement savings plan

Home Office Stipend: A one-time allowance for fully remote and hybrid employees to support an at-home or on-the-road work setup

Monthly Cell Phone Reimbursement: Monthly stipend toward personal phone and internet expenses

Flexible Time Off: Take the time you need, when you need it, supported by our flexible PTO policy

Compensation Philosophy

Formic’s pay and equity packages are thoughtfully benchmarked against peer companies at a similar growth stage. Equity represents a meaningful part of our mutual investment: when Formic succeeds, so do you.

Final offers are customized based on experience, geographic location, market considerations, and a candidate’s preferred balance of cash and equity. Our goal is to attract and reward top talent who will have significant impact, and we are open to thoughtful discussions to align on the right structure.

Compensation Range:

$120,000 — $145,000 USD

What we look for:

We’re building this company from the ground up, and every person we hire has an outsized impac