Solutions Engineer (Application Engineer): End-of-Line Automation

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 Solutions Engineering Team is responsible for delivering robotics-driven automation deployments across a wide range of customer applications. The team partners cross-functionally to translate customer requirements into deployed systems, ensuring solutions are integrated, commissioned, and validated to perform reliably in real manufacturing environments. Automation Engineering works closely with customers, internal technical teams, and external integrators to execute deployments on schedule while maintaining high standards for quality, safety, and repeatability.

About the role:

In this role, you will serve as the primary pre-sales technical and applications partner for Formic’s prospective customers. You will build credibility through strong production knowledge, technical fluency, and consultative problem-solving. You will quickly develop a deep understanding of a customer’s production goals, constraints, and success criteria, then translate those inputs into scoped automation solutions that align operational needs with Formic’s product capabilities.

You will also partner cross-functionally to ensure clean handoffs from pre-sales to deployment and ongoing support, helping ensure the solutions you design translate into successful customer outcomes.

In this role you will:

Partner with prospective customers and Sales to understand production challenges, operational 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

What makes you a great fit:

3+ years of experience in a pre-sales technical role (Solutions Engineer, Applications Engineer, Automation Engineer, etc.)

3+ years of experience in manufacturing environments (packaging, food production, industrial operations, or related fields)

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related technical field) required; equivalent combination of technical education and relevant automation experience may be considered

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 one or more 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

Bonus points if you have:

Experience in consultative sales, technical sales, or customer-facing solution design

Experience supporting new technology adoption in production environments

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:

$115,000 — $155,000 USD

What we look for:

We’re building this company from the ground up, and every person we hire has an outsized impact on our culture, performance, and trajectory. While each team member brings unique strengths and perspectives, we look for people who align with our Operating Principles and embody them in action. If this sounds like you, Formic may be the right place for you!

Fearless Optimism: You make bold bets and default optimistic. You believe in the mission, aren’t paralyzed by risk, and fear inaction more than failure. You see ambiguity as opportunity and bring energy to building what doesn’t yet exist.

Create the Magic: You absorb complexity so customers don’t have to. Whether your customer is external or internal, you focus on delivering experiences that are clear, fast, value-added, and outcome-driven. You don’t say “not my job.” You make things work.

Today, Not Tomorrow: You have a bias to action. You close the loop. You take extreme ownership. You understand that speed compounds, and you don’t confuse activity with results