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Salary: USD 120,000 - 150,000 / annual
Formic is reshaping American manufacturing by making automation accessible to every factory through a Robotics-as-a-Service model. The company combines industrial robotics, proprietary software, and full-service support into integrated solutions that enable manufacturers to deploy automation quickly without large upfront capital investment.
The Project Engineering team is a multidisciplinary engineering group within the Automation Engineering Group, bringing mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering together. 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.
As a Mechanical Engineer, you will own the mechanical design, documentation, and commissioning of electromechanical systems and assemblies as they are developed, productized, and brought into Formic's automation portfolio. You will lead mechanical design efforts from concept through SolidWorks modeling, drawing release, and BOM management, while also driving hands-on system integration and floor commissioning to ensure automation systems are proven and production-ready before they scale across the fleet.
Key responsibilities include: owning mechanical design of automation systems including palletizing systems, case packing systems, conveyor systems, material handling systems, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) from concept through release; designing, prototyping, assembling, and testing automated end-of-line systems using SolidWorks 3D CAD; developing and maintaining organized SolidWorks model structures, assembly hierarchies, and controlled model/drawing release processes; creating detailed mechanical design documentation including CAD models, drawings, exploded diagrams, BOMs, schematics, SOPs, and work instructions; designing EOAT and implementing designs on the floor for build, integration, and commissioning; implementing and integrating electrical, mechanical, and control subsystems; rapidly iterating and validating mechanical designs; leading and managing technical aspects of assigned automation projects; configuring, validating, and troubleshooting electromechanical automation systems on the floor; supporting design for manufacturability and design for assembly practices; providing equipment support for Product, Software, and technical operations teams; collaborating cross-functionally; troubleshooting and optimizing systems; performing root cause analysis of hardware and mechanical system-level issues; developing and executing test plans; engaging with external vendors; interfacing with external system integrators and OEMs; collecting and assessing deployment and production optimization feedback; and preparing weekly internal reporting on progress for key initiatives.
You will work at the intersection of design, commissioning, and field support, operating 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.
**Requirements:**
- 3+ years of experience in Mechanical Design, Mechanical Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field
- 3+ years of experience designing mechanical systems, machine assemblies, or equipment for industrial automation and robotic applications
- Experience owning mechanical designs from concept through manufacturing release, including full 3D assemblies, detailed drawings, component selection, and BOMs
- Strong proficiency in 3D CAD, ideally SolidWorks, with experience designing complete machine or system assemblies, not just individual parts
- Strong drafting and GD&T skills, with the ability to produce fabrication- and assembly-ready drawings, exploded diagrams, and BOMs
- Familiarity with industrial robotic systems and their integration, including robotic arms such as FANUC, KUKA, ABB, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, or similar platforms
- Strong understanding of how mechanical systems interface with robotics, EOAT, conveyance, sensors, actuators, guarding, and other automation components
- Experience troubleshooting and diagnosing mechanical problems on automation systems or machinery
- Willingness and ability to work hands-on on the shop floor, including mechanical assembly, integration, testing, troubleshooting, modification, and repair
- Ability to organize and manage engineering deliverables through iterative development and tight feedback loops across concurrent projects
- Excellent problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Located in, or willing to relocate to, the greater Chicago, IL area and work on-site
- Ability to travel up to 25%
**Bonus qualifications:**
- Advanced SolidWorks experience, including large assembly management, top-down design, and configuration-driven design
- Experience designing and implementing robotic end-of-arm tooling (EOAT)
- Experience with end-of-line robotic automation applications such as palletizing, case packing, packaging, conveyance, or material handling
- Experience organizing and maintaining PDM/PLM workflows, revision control, model release structures, and formal drawing-release processes
- Direct hands-on experience with sensors, actuators, motion control systems, motors, and VFDs
- Direct hands-on experience with PLCs
- Familiarity with industrial automation protocols such as EtherNet/IP and IO-Link
- Familiarity with machine safety devices such as safety scanners, light curtains, gate locks, and other guarding/interlock systems
- Knowledge of robotic safety standards such as ISO 10218 and ANSI/RIA
- Experience with AutoCAD or additional 2D/3D CAD platforms
