Manufacturing Process Engineer
About Us
Foundry Robotics is building an AI-native robotics manufacturing company focused on deploying advanced assembly and production capability for leading robotics companies and national-security-critical hardware. Basically, we’re building robots that build robots.
We are reimagining manufacturing through advanced robotics. Our mission is to rebuild the American manufacturing industry as an AI-first, assembly-focused, dual-use contract manufacturer. We aim to empower manufacturers with intelligent, efficient, and adaptable robotic systems that redefine productivity and quality. As a founding member of our engineering team, you will have a direct and significant impact on our product, culture, and ultimate success. This role is 100% in-person at our office in the mission, SF.
The Role
This role is for a Manufacturing Process Engineer who thrives on turning ideas into production reality, equally comfortable architecting systems from first principles and proving them out hands-on on the factory floor. You will define how our robotic systems are built, from early process concept through full-scale production, developing assembly strategies, designing tooling, and establishing workflows where none currently exist. You will stand up production capability from scratch, making core decisions across sequencing, fixturing, automation integration, and quality control. You will drive rapid build-test-learn cycles to deliver processes that are both robust and scalable.
Key Responsibilities
Design and build production processes from scratch for autonomous robotic assembly systems, defining how AI-driven hardware gets made at scale
Develop and optimize assembly lines with a focus on throughput, yield, and scalability from early production to high-volume output
Create and own process documentation, work instructions, SOPs, and control plans that enable repeatable, scalable manufacturing
Develop tooling and fixtures that reduce variation, minimize operator error, and support efficient assembly
Work hands-on on the shop floor, validating processes, identifying bottlenecks, and iterating quickly alongside the team
Support relationships with external vendors and contract manufacturers, providing process input and feedback during development
Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and robotics teammates to ensure processes are designed with the full system in mind
Define and track key manufacturing metrics including cycle time, takt time, OEE, and defect rate, and use data to drive continuous improvement
What We're Looking For
3-5 years of experience in manufacturing or process engineering in a large-volume production environment
Work closely with software teammates to shape and develop an MES built for autonomous robotic manufacturing, contributing the process and floor level-expertise
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for robotic subassemblies and full systems with a focus on repeatability, efficiency and scalability
Proven ability to build production processes from the ground up, and improve upon existing processes
Hands-on experience designing tooling and fixtures, with proficiency in 3D CAD (Solidworks, CATIA, or equivalent) and familiarity with fastening systems, jigs and assembly automation hardware
Comfortable owning process documentation and standardization
Equally effective at a desk and on the shop floor, you have deep hands-on experience and know how to move through a production environment, build hardware, and solve problems in real time
Experience tracking and improving manufacturing metrics (cycle time, takt time, OEE, yield)
Experience providing DFM/DFA input in a cross-functional product development environment
Collaborative by nature, you consider downstream impacts on quality, supply chain, and operators when making process decisions
Bias toward action, scrappy problem solving, and moving fast without sacrificing rigor
Nice to Have (Not Required)
Experience supporting vendor or contract manufacturer relationships
Exposure to robotic or automated assembly systems
Experience scaling a process from low-rate to high-volume production
Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies
Why Join Us?
This is one of the only places where world-class manufacturing operators, mechanical engineers, robotics researchers, and software engineers sit in the same room - building production systems together.
We are committed to being deeply embedded in the U.S. industrial base. Our focus is simple: build adaptive robotic assembly systems that make American manufacturing scalable, resilient, and competitive again.
The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of San Francisco is:
$150,000-$250,000 USD
Compensation packages at Foundry Robotics for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Foundry Robotics employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. You’ll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, and generous PTO.
Foundry Robotics is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.