Robotics Manipulation Engineer

Meta is seeking a Robotics Engineer to join our Infra Robotics team. This team implements advanced robotics technologies to enable efficient and safe data center operations. The Robotics Engineer is responsible for driving the integration of robotics, electromechanical systems, and automated workflows into Meta’s server operational processes. This includes solution architecture, requirements gathering, system integration, verification and validation, concept of operation (ConOps), product release (including site acceptance testing), and post-release support. The role involves close collaboration with hardware engineering, manufacturing, test engineering, robotics teams, and operations partners to improve serviceability, repair efficiency, and overall reliability across Meta’s global infrastructure. Brings significant hands-on experience with industrial robotic arms, pendant programming, OEM controllers, and workcell integration in production or R&D environments. Demonstrates a background in mechatronics, motion control, and automation software development. Has significant experience across the product development lifecycle—from product design and development to system integration, verification, and product release—focused on large-scale automation. Possesses demonstrated expertise in programming languages such as Python, C++ and has a solid understanding of robotics principles including perception, motion planning, and control. Excels in designing and implementing software architectures tailored for robotic systems, coupled with an understanding of hardware-software integration. Has experience in design, training, and deployment of ML algorithms that enable robots to interact intelligently and adapt to their environments. Brings experience with ROS, NVIDIA robotics frameworks, or AI-assisted motion generation. Holds an understanding of robotics technologies—covering sensing, robot perception, path planning, decision-making, and robot manipulation—plus hands-on troubleshooting skills. Exhibits effective communication, leadership, organizational, engineering, program management, and analytical skills. Collaborates with and influences internal stakeholders, including cross-functional teams and individuals at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Partner with server hardware and operations teams to understand server architecture, mechanical design, serviceability workflows, and opportunities for automation
• Translate server design, diagnostics flows, and repair requirements into actionable product requirements and technical specifications, making tradeoffs between hardware, robotics, firmware, and software solutions
• Lead the design and implementation of robotic and electromechanical solutions for server retrieval/insertion, transport, packaging, disassembly/assembly, diagnostics integration, and component replacement with internal and external partners
• Lead architecture reviews to identify and address gaps in solution design, ensuring performance and scalability of both software and hardware systems involved in server handling automation
• Drive proof-of-concept development and evaluation, building and testing prototypes to validate feasibility, mechanical compatibility, alignment strategies, and operational improvements
• Integrate robotic arms with end-of-arm tooling, sensors, PLCs, and safety systems to deliver fully automated workcell solutions
• Deploy state-of-the-art robotics machine learning or physical AI models. Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in robotics, automation, and AI-driven motion planning
• Create engineering development plans and milestones, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver R&D milestones on time and with high quality
• Develop and execute testing strategies, leading QA/QC to verify and validate automated server handling and repair solutions against product specifications and customer requirements
• Build and maintain robust interfaces between robot controllers and higher-level software platforms using C++, Python, or similar languages
• Define product release processes (field pilots, site acceptance testing, operational workflows, software version control) and post-release support strategies for server automation systems
• Develop industry relationships with server vendors, automation providers, and data center peers to remain current on server design practices and future directions
• Visit data center sites for engineering studies, system audits, and collaborations with local subject matter experts
• 15% domestic and/or international travel required to Meta Data Centers/offices

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years of experience integrating robotic arms with end-of-arm tooling, sensors, PLCs, and safety systems to deliver fully automated workcell solutions
• Experience with field integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting of robotic workcells and automation systems
• In-depth knowledge of safety standards and regulatory compliance for electromechanical and robotic automation within data center environments
• Proficiency with advanced deep learning, reinforcement learning and imitation learning techniques used in robotics
• Experience developing automation-adjacent software (C++, Python, or similar languages) and deep learning libraries (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX or similar)
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams in requirements gathering, system integration, validation, and product release for server or data center automation solutions
• Familiarity with hardware, firmware, and system integration for server-level automation, including design for manufacturability and reliability
• Experience leading software and hardware architecture reviews to identify and address gaps in solution design, ensuring performance and scalability of both software and hardware systems
• Experience conducting rigorous testing and validation of software modules and systems, employing simulation tools and real-world testing scenarios to verify functionality, performance, and safety requirements
• Effective communication and leadership skills with a track record of influencing policies and procedures for automation integration
• Experience building and maintaining cross-functional relationships, driving alignment across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams
• Experience mentoring and developing team members in product development, process improvement, or operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s in a relevant field
• Understanding of system interactions across server hardware, firmware, robotics interfaces, and network protocols
• Experience in large/complex system design (server hardware, robotics, industrial automation, test equipment, semiconductor wafer handling systems)
• 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
• Familiarity with system simulation tools such as Mujoco, NVIDIA Isaac SIm, Gazebo, or similar robotics simulators or robot simulation environments
• Familiarity with OCP data center hardware and technology stack (Open Rack, server trays/sleds, power shelves, accelerator modules)
• Experience designing and building automation and tooling for operational server workflows

$208,000/year to $289,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits