Robotics Field Service Engineer

Formic•Madison, WI

21d•$70,000 - $120,000

About The Position

At Formic, we’re on a mission to revolutionize American manufacturing and create more abundance in the world. We believe in continuing the American legacy of innovation by making automation accessible to all manufacturers and increasing their factory productivity by 10x. Built upon deep expertise in robotics and manufacturing, our unique full service automation solutions combine the best automation technology, software, and analysis tools for manufacturers with best in class uptime, support, and maintenance services. We are creating a new era of supercharged efficiency and competitiveness for US manufacturers. As the world faces growing pressure from tariffs, rising costs, and labor shortages, Formic is uniquely positioned as the industry leading solution to overcome these challenges. Fueled by our vision for a re-industrialized domestic supply chain, everything we do is aimed at growing “Made in America” products. And we’re growing fast - achieving 7x growth in production hours YoY. Supporting us in our mission, with investments thus far totaling over $60 million, are backers including Lux Capital, Initialized Capital, Blackhorn Ventures, Mitsubishi HC Capital NA, and CEOs and founders of multiple Fortune 50 companies. About the Production Optimization Team: The Production Optimization team is responsible for delivering uptime, performance, and insight across Formic's nationwide fleet of robotic systems. This team is deeply technical and customer-facing—at the intersection of automation engineering, field service, and business impact. The Robotics Field Service Engineer (FSE) plays a critical role in this mission. You will diagnose issues, perform maintenance, monitor systems, and interact with customers to ensure optimal performance. You’ll work hands-on with equipment from OEMs like Fanuc, Yaskawa, ABB, Universal Robots, and others across food, packaging, CPG, and logistics environments. This role is ideal for field engineers who are mechanically sharp, detail-oriented, calm under pressure, and passionate about the future of American manufacturing. If you’re looking to be part of a fast-paced, mission-driven company at the leading edge of automation—this is your chance.

Requirements

3+ years of hands-on field service experience working on robotic or automation equipment
Practical troubleshooting skills across electrical, mechanical, and PLC/robotic control systems
Experience reading electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and pneumatic drawings
Strong familiarity with safety protocols, especially LOTO, and adherence to GMP or industrial SOPs
Experience using CMMS tools (MaintainX, UpKeep, FIIX, etc.) to track, schedule, and report maintenance
Comfortable with local area travel up to 80%, (Formic will provide mileage reimbursement for travel in your personal vehicle)
Overnight travel up to 50% (travel and meal expenses covered by Formic)
Clear communicator across email, phone, and on-site conversations—able to write effective service reports

Nice To Haves

Experience with some 6-axis robot brands (e.g. Fanuc, Kuka, Yaskawa, ABB, Universal Robots)
Familiarity with robot palletizing, case packing, pick-and-place, and conveyor systems
Background in high-speed manufacturing (food, beverage, packaging, CPG)
Comfort operating in customer-facing or account-support roles
Bilingual (English/Spanish) a strong plus

Responsibilities

Perform preventative, corrective, and predictive maintenance for robotic manufacturing cells
Respond to alarms or escalations (remote or on-site), diagnosing and resolving issues in accordance with customer ASA (agreed service agreements)
Provide on-site production support and informal training to operators and technicians
Use CMMS tools (e.g. MaintainX) to log and track all field activity, asset status, and spare parts needs
Coordinate self, vendors, and partners for in-field support—including scheduling and customer alignment
Maintain a clean, safe work environment and ensure compliance with OSHA and Formic safety standards
Monitor system performance remotely via Formic dashboards (e.g., Grafana)
Generate detailed service reports including issue, RCA (root cause analysis), resolution, and follow-ups
Feed real-world system and customer insights back into Continuous Improvement and Customer Success teams
Help identify systemic issues and opportunities to drive fleet-wide maintenance reductions
Build trusted, professional relationships with plant managers, operators, and technicians
Document and escalate feedback from the field to internal stakeholders for commercial or product consideration
Support site onboarding by identifying key champions and mapping decision-makers
Represent Formic’s mission and values while on-site with a customer-first, solution-oriented mindset
Collaborate in RCA sessions, site audits, and Continuous Improvement initiatives
Train and mentor junior field technicians as needed
Continuously improve technical knowledge (robotics, controls, networking, pneumatics, packaging equipment)
Maintain required safety, Lockout / Tagout (LOTO), and forklift certifications
Contribute to internal documentation, shared playbooks, and field service SOPs

Benefits

Equity in Formic: Own a meaningful stake in a fast-growing Series A startup, backed by leading global investors
Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 99% covered Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans, with 75% coverage for dependents, provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield and Guardian
Additional Fully Covered Insurance Benefits: FSA & DCFSA, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability through Guardian, all 100% employer-paid
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Fully funded by Formic and provided via Guardian, offering support when you need it most
Paid Parental Leave: Generous parental leave to support our employees and their growing families
Company-sponsored 401(k): Invest in your future with our company-backed retirement savings plan
Home Office Stipend: A one-time allowance for fully remote employees to set up your ideal at-home or on the road work environment
Monthly Cell-Phone Reimbursement: Monthly stipend toward phone and internet expenses
Flexible Time-Off: Take the time you need, when you need it, supported by our flexible PTO policy
Paid Company Holidays: Celebrate important dates with paid time off