Product Manager

Who We Are:

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 Pay-for-Productivity robotics solutions combine the best automation technology, tools, and uptime services for manufacturers, paving the way for a new era of supercharged efficiency and competitiveness. 

As the world faces growing pressure from rising costs and labor shortages, Formic is a uniquely powerful tool in overcoming these challenges. Fueled by our vision for a resurged “Made in America,” we’re growing fast - achieving 70% quarterly growth in customer count and ARR, with ~30% of our customers having already deployed multiple systems.

Supporting us in our mission, with investments thus far totaling over $60 million, are backers including Blackhorn Ventures, Mitsubishi HC Capital America, NEC, Lorimer Ventures, Translink Capital, Alumni Ventures, FJ Labs, Lux Capital, Initialized Capital and founders of multiple Fortune 50 companies. 

About the Software Engineering team:

The Software Engineering team helps Formic define and build the User Experience for the next generation of industrial automation robotic systems. At Formic, we are revolutionizing how these systems are built, maintained, and operated, driving our vision for industrial automation to be as easy to deploy and operate as a printer.

Check out some of our recent projects here and here to learn more about what we are working on.

We are seeking a Product Manager who is unafraid to challenge the current status quo in industrial automation user experience. You will bring the latest innovations from consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and mobile apps into the manufacturing, deployment, operation, and support processes, while ensuring the safety, usability, and simplicity required in these environments. 

This person will support Formic’s mission to develop industry-leading software and user experience, and will have the opportunity not only to drive current product management activities but to develop and drive a roadmap from scratch. This is a high-impact role and opportunity to deliver truly innovative products at the forefront of Robotics-as-a-Service.

As Product Manager, you will: 

• Define the roadmap and maintain Product backlog for 2 key Formic automation products
• Define, validate, and communicate requirements derived from customer feedback, collaboration with Formic’s Marketing, Sales, Product & Solutions, Deployment, and Production Optimization teams, and your own career experience
• Conduct studies, interviews, and focus groups to hear the voice of the customers on all levels: Operators, Engineers, Managers, Executives
• Work closely with Engineers to find innovative solutions to bring required features to the products with lean and efficient engineering efforts
• Work closely with UI/Ux/Cx designer to define App and HMI experience 
• Participate in Scrum ceremonies as Product Owner

What makes you a great fit:

• 3+ years of relevant experience as a User Experience-focused Product Manager 
• Preferred: software Product Management experience in Manufacturing, Industrial Automation, Food & Beverage, Packing, Production operations, or similar industries
• Previous experience working with physical products and embedded software (e.g. consumer electronics, medical devices, robotics, autonomous vehicles, automotive and electric vehicles, etc.)
• Previous experience engaging with and collecting feedback from end users and operators of physical products
• Experience with Software Development lifecycle, Scrum process, and project management tools such as Jira
• Previous experience with Figma and similar prototyping tools
• Experience working in a startup or similar agile environment is highly preferred
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills
• Motivation and enthusiasm to join a growing, high-impact startup team
• Highly preferred: located in or willing to relocate to the Chicago, IL area to work from Formic's Woodridge, IL facility

What we look for:

We’re building a company from the ground up, so every single person we hire has a massive impact on our team, culture, and ability to accomplish our mission. While each individual brings their own unique skills and perspectives to Formic, we look for people who share our vision and act in alignment with our Operating Principles. If this sounds like you, Formic could be the place for you:

• Fearless Optimism: You share our ambitious vision of what we can accomplish. You’re aware of the challenges we will face as a startup doing new things in an old space, but you’re energized by the incredible opportunity we have to drive change for our customers, and for the manufacturing industry at large.
• Factories First: You have a strong customer focus, no matter who your customer is. You seek to make things easier and better for our customers, even if it makes your job a little harder. 
• Today, Not Tomorrow: There are always plenty of projects to tackle in a startup, but you prioritize, take accountability for work, and have a bias toward action.
• Be Right Often: You don’t do things just because that’s how they’ve always been done. You keep looking for ways to improve, seek out feedback along the way, and back your decisions up with data. 
• Made of Rubber: Just like rubber, when you fall you bounce back up. You know there’s going to be a lot of challenge and change in our work ahead but you are adaptable, resilient, and ready to thrive through it all.
• Good Baton Passes: You work with a desire to make things easier and better for your team members. You use empathy to understand the needs and goals of others and support each other so Formic can be successful together. 

What We Offer:

Formic believes we do our best work when we are equipped to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. To support this Formic offers comprehensive benefits and perks for full-time US-based employees, including:

• Equity in Formic: your slice of ownership in a fast-growing Series A startup, backed by some of the best investors in the world
• 99% coverage on our base Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans (75% coverage for dependents) via Blue Cross Blue Shield and Guardian, with buy-up options, as well
• FSA & DCFSA
• Life insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-term Disability plans (covered at 100%) via Guardian
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid parental leave
• Company-sponsored 401k
• Home Office Stipend for remote and hybrid roles
• Monthly Phone/Internet Reimbursement
• Flexible time off policy and 10+ company holidays
• Opportunity to join a talented and diverse team united behind our mission to revolutionize American manufacturing

As our team grows, our benefit and perk offerings for employees based outside of the United States will vary. We are happy to discuss these options with you as part of our recruiting and interviewing process. Temporary or contract positions are not eligible for Formic employee benefits and perks, except where legally required.

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.