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 Emeryville, CA.

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 Founder mentality: We love people who build like it’s their own company. You move fast, take ownership, and find a way through when the path isn’t obvious. You have the drive to make big things happen and the judgment to take smart risks along the way. If you prefer a clearly defined lane, a predictable pace, and all the answers before you start, there’s nothing wrong with that—but Foundry might not be the right fit.

• 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 Emeryville 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.