Robotics Field Service Engineer - Regional Lead

formic

Chicago, IL || Bolingbrook, IL · Chicago · Israel

Posted Dec 19, 2024

Full-time
Remote
Fleet Operations

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Job description

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 Fleet Operations Team drives uptime and operational performance across Formic’s growing fleet of deployed robotic systems. Working inside live manufacturing environments, the team diagnoses issues, restores production, and continuously improves system reliability at scale. Fleet Operations operates at the intersection of robotics, controls, and real-world factory execution, ensuring Formic’s automation delivers consistent, measurable performance across diverse industrial applications.

About the role:

As Regional Lead Field Service Engineer you will provide advanced technical support for Formic’s deployed robotic systems while serving as a regional technical leader for field service operations. You will handle complex troubleshooting, support critical customer issues, and mentor other engineers in the field to ensure consistent service quality and system reliability.

This role combines deep hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, requiring strong diagnostic skills, operational judgment, and the ability to guide others during high-impact service situations.

In this role you will:

Perform advanced preventative, corrective, and predictive maintenance on robotic manufacturing cells
Lead resolution of complex or high-impact service issues, including customer production down events
Serve as the primary escalation point for technical issues within your region
Provide on-site technical leadership during critical production interruptions
Support regional coverage planning and flexible scheduling based on service demand
Mentor and support 2–4 Field Service Engineers through hands-on coaching and technical guidance
Validate work quality, reinforce safety standards, and ensure consistent service execution
Monitor system performance remotely using Formic dashboards and monitoring tools
Ensure accurate service documentation, including root cause analysis and follow-up actions
Identify recurring failure patterns and escalate systemic issues for fleet-wide improvement
Build trusted relationships with customer site leaders and represent Formic professionally on-site
Share field learnings and best practices to improve uptime, reliability, and service quality
Support onboarding and technical development of new Field Service Engineers

What makes you a great fit:

5+ years of hands-on field service experience supporting robotics or industrial automation systems
Advanced technical proficiency across mechanical, electrical, controls, and robotic systems
Experience supporting industrial robots from one or more major manufacturers (e.g., FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots)
Proven ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex system-level failures
Demonstrated experience mentoring, coaching, or leading other engineers in the field
Strong communication skills and composure in customer-facing environments
Ability to balance hands-on technical work with team coordination responsibilities
Willingness to travel approximately 50% within the United States

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
Paid Time Off: Take the time you need, when you need it. 15 days of paid time off, in addition to company holidays

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.

This role is paid hourly with a posted range of $29–$44 per hour. Based on the nature of field service work - which consistently runs approximately 50+ hours per week including travel, site activity, and documentation - total annualized earnings typically range from $83,000 - $126,000, depending on experience, hourly rate, and actual hours worked. Overtime is paid in accordance with applicable federal and state law for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Hourly Rate:

$29—$44 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.
Seek Truth: You think from first principles. You value data over ego and strong opinions loosely held. You’re willing to challenge assumptions, including your own, in pursuit of the best answer.
Made of Rubber: You are resolute and adaptable. When things break or priorities shift, you rebound stronger. You treat setbacks as learning moments and move forward with grit.
One Formic: You operate without silos. You practice radical helpfulness, document clearly, and make clean handoffs. You assume positive intent and prioritize team success over individual credit.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Formic is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, family or parental status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. All employment decisions are based on a person’s merit, business needs, and role requirements. If you require further accommodations or have questions regarding accessibility of our roles, please reach out to careers@formic.co.

AI Use:

At Formic, fairness and transparency are at the heart of our hiring process. We use AI-powered tools in some interviews to help our teams evaluate candidate responses, but all final hiring decisions are made by humans. You can learn more about how AI is used in our recruitment process by reviewing our AI Hiring Disclosure linked here.