Robotics Control Engineer - Manipulation

Meta is seeking a Robotics Manipulation Engineer to join our Infra Robotics team. This team implements advanced robotics technologies to enable efficient and safe data center operations. The Robotics Manipulation Engineer is responsible for driving the integration of industrial robotic arms and automated workcells into Meta’s infrastructure operations. This includes solution architecture, requirements gathering, system integration, programming, verification and validation, concept of operation (ConOps), product release (including site acceptance testing), hands-on commissioning, and post-deployment support. The role involves close collaboration with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams, as well as operations partners, to deliver robust, high-performance, and reliable automation solutions across Meta’s global infrastructure. The ideal candidate has significant hands-on experience with industrial robotic arms, pendant programming, OEM controllers, and workcell integration in production or R&D environments. This position is based in Fremont, CA, and may require occasional domestic and international travel.

Responsibilities

• Program and configure industrial robotic arms using OEM teach pendants and controller environments (e.g., ABB RAPID, FANUC TP, KUKA KRL, URScript), ensuring reliable and efficient operation
• Integrate robotic arms with end-of-arm tooling, sensors, PLCs, and safety systems to deliver fully automated workcell solutions
• Develop, test, and optimize motion paths, calibration routines, and IO logic to achieve consistent, high-performance automation
• Lead on-site bring-up, commissioning, and troubleshooting of robotic systems, driving rapid resolution of technical issues
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to define system requirements, architecture, and technical specifications
• Build and maintain robust interfaces between robot controllers and higher-level software platforms using C++, Python, or similar languages
• Perform system diagnostics, analyze failure modes, and lead root cause analysis and mitigation efforts to ensure system reliability
• Develop and execute testing strategies, including functional, stress, and regression testing, to validate robotic solutions against requirements
• Contribute to the creation and standardization of scalable engineering processes, tools, and best practices for robotic workcell development and deployment
• Support product release processes, including site acceptance testing, operational workflow documentation, and post-release support
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in robotics, automation, and AI-driven motion planning
• Mentor and support team members in technical development and process improvement initiatives
• Visit Meta data center and infrastructure sites for engineering studies, system audits, and collaboration with local subject matter experts

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 6+ years of experience with industrial robotic arms in production or R&D environments, including hands-on programming and integration
• Proficiency in at least one major robot programming ecosystem (ABB, FANUC, KUKA, UR, Yaskawa, etc.)
• Experience with field integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting of robotic workcells and automation systems
• Practical experience of mechatronic systems, including mechanical design, electrical hardware, sensors, and motion control
• Experience developing automation-adjacent software (C++, Python, or similar languages)
• Familiarity with safety standards and best practices for industrial automation and robotics
• Effective communication and leadership, and skills, with the ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams
• Technical troubleshooting and data analytics skills
• Ability to travel up to 15% domestically and internationally as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s in a relevant field
• Experience with ROS or ROS 2 for robotic system integration and development
• Experience with NVIDIA Isaac, simulation, or GPU-accelerated robotics tools
• Familiarity with machine learning/AI-based motion planning, adaptive control, or advanced automation algorithms
• Experience with vision-guided robotics, force control, or advanced sensing technologies
• Experience developing and standardizing automation processes, safety protocols, and scalable deployment practices
• Knowledge of data center technology stacks (compute, network, storage, software architectures) is a plus
• Experience mentoring team members and driving process improvements in automation engineering

$144,000/year to $204,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits