Engineering Operations Manager

Formic•Chicago, IL

2d•$140,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

As Engineering Operations Manager, you will play a critical role within Formic's Automation Engineering organization. You will be responsible for building the operational foundation that enables Formic to deliver automation solutions safely, efficiently, and at scale. You will serve as a key operational leader within Formic's Bolingbrook facility, working closely with the rest of the Automation Engineering Team, Supply Chain, Fleet Operations, Product, Software, Solutions Engineering, and Project Management teams, you will coordinate resources, align priorities, and drive execution across the organization. This role combines people leadership, operational excellence, and hands-on problem solving. You will develop technical talent, improve organizational effectiveness, establish scalable processes, and help create the structure and accountability required to support Formic's continued growth. We're looking for a leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys building systems and teams, and is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of industrial automation.

Requirements

6+ years of experience leading operations, automation, manufacturing, engineering, or other technical teams in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated success leading teams directly while influencing and driving results across cross-functional organizations
Experience working with industrial automation systems, robotics, or related manufacturing technologies
Proven ability to establish processes, develop SOPs, implement training programs, and drive operational improvements
Experience managing quality, safety, operational readiness, and on-time execution in a manufacturing, automation, or technical operations environment
Strong understanding of operational planning, resource allocation, capacity management, and performance metrics
A hands-on leadership style with a willingness to roll up your sleeves, solve problems, and support the team wherever needed
Strong judgment, ownership, attention to detail, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution
Excitement for building teams, improving systems, and helping scale a rapidly growing automation company

Nice To Haves

Experience with industrial robots or cobots such as FANUC, KUKA, Yaskawa, ABB, or Universal Robots preferred
Experience with end-of-line automation systems including palletizing, depalletizing, case packing, or related applications preferred
Experience working for a robotics company, automation systems integrator (SI), original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or industrial technology organization
Experience scaling operations within a high-growth startup or rapidly growing organization
Experience supporting customer-facing deployments, installations, or field operations
Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies

Responsibilities

Serve as a key operational leader within Formic's Bolingbrook, Illinois facility, helping align priorities across engineering, inventory, logistics, and project execution activities
Build and uphold a culture of ownership, accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement
Lead daily standups and execution reviews to ensure priorities are clear, resources are aligned, and blockers are addressed quickly
Act as an escalation point for operational issues impacting execution, quality, or readiness
Drive accountability for operational performance, quality, safety, and organizational effectiveness
Partner cross-functionally to align operational readiness with customer commitments and project timelines
Collaborate with Supply Chain and Fleet Operations teams to ensure proper inventory levels, system availability, and future capacity requirements
Forecast organizational capacity and proactively identify resource constraints before they impact execution
Establish and improve SOPs, workflows, quality standards, and operational processes that support a scalable organization
Ensure systems are built, tested, staged, and prepared to meet Formic and customer quality standards
Track and improve key operational metrics including throughput, readiness, utilization, quality, and execution performance
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, eliminate bottlenecks, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration
Partner closely with Product, Software, Solutions Engineering, Supply Chain, Fleet Operations, and Project Management teams to ensure successful execution across the automation lifecycle
Communicate operational priorities, risks, and capacity needs across stakeholder groups
Provide visibility into organizational performance, readiness, and operational health through regular reporting and reviews

Benefits

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