---
title: 'Electronic & Control Development Lead at Foundry Robotics Inc.'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/electronic-control-development-lead-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-9n85kt7bsj5p'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Electronic & Control Development Lead at Foundry Robotics Inc.

- **Company:** Foundry Robotics Inc.
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Compensation:** $150k–$250k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-06-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/foundry-robotics/85dc398e-4b13-423a-99c5-908abd665927/application

**Skills:** PLC programming, Beckhoff, Siemens, Rockwell, Motion integration, Drive integration, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA, MQTT, REST, Risk assessment, Hazard assessment, PL evaluation, Functional safety, Safety PLC programming, MES integration, Factory OS integration, ISO 13849

> Lead the design and architecture of AI-compatible automation controls and electronic systems for robotic manufacturing cells. This hands-on role involves defining hardware/software interfaces, ensuring industrial safety compliance, and building a small engineering team to drive production-grade solutions.

## Job description

## 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

Design and own an AI-compatible automation controls system for our robotic cells. You'll architect the electronics and controls of each cell, define the interfaces between physical devices (robots, actuators, conveyance, tools) and orchestrating software (Factory OS, MES, AI models), and design the safety system that lets stochastic command sources operate safely around people. Hands-on leadership role: set direction, grow a small team, and personally drive architecture and bring-up.

## Key Responsibilities

- Design, implement, and own the controls layer of AI-driven autonomous cells.
- Define hardware and software interfaces between devices and orchestrating / commanding software (Factory OS, MES, AI).
- Implement an AI-compatible safety schema with deterministic guardrails for stochastic command sources.
- Own the electronic architecture of cells end-to-end: power distribution, safety, I/O, motion, networking, HMI.
- Own industrial electrical hardware design (power and comms panels), directly or via subcontractors.
- Contribute to flexible conveyance design and the interfaces between conveyance and workstations.
- Build a clean device-integration layer (drivers, adapters, schemas, APIs) so new tools onboard quickly.
- Define data contracts with the Factory OS team: commands, telemetry, alarms, traceability, process data.
- Lead safety design and compliance: ISO 13849 / IEC 62061, NFPA 79, UL 508A, CE.
- Build and lead a small team of electrical, controls, and integration engineers.

## What We're Looking For

- 5–10+ years designing controls systems and programming equipment in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven architecture of electrical and control systems for robotic / automated cells, end-to-end.
- Strong PLC programming (Beckhoff, Siemens, Rockwell, or equivalent) and motion / drive integration.
- Hands-on integration of robots and devices via EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA, MQTT, REST.
- Expertise in industrial safety: risk / hazard assessment, PL evaluation, functional safety, safety PLC programming.
- Experience integrating shop-floor equipment with MES / Factory OS / orchestrator.
- Ability to take a problem from blank page to production-grade solution by working across stakeholders.
- Demonstrated technical leadership: setting standards, mentoring, owning a function.

## Nice to Have (Not Required)

- Working familiarity with ROS 2.
- Experience interfacing with MES / data systems.
- Functional understanding of AI models for robotic control and what it takes to deploy them safely.
- Software fluency beyond PLCs (Python, C#, C/C++, or Go).
- Custom PCB / embedded controller design experience.
- Vision, force/torque, or precision motion background.

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 to $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.

## About Foundry Robotics Inc.

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Foundry Robotics is an AI-first, assembly-focused robotics company rebuilding American manufacturing with advanced automation and production systems.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage)
- **Headquarters**: San Francisco, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2026
- **Founders**: Adarsh Kulkarni

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Robotics Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Defense & Dual-Use Contract Manufacturing
- **Target customers**: B2B, primarily defense contractors, hardware startups, and industrial companies needing flexible, small-to-medium scale assembly
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "AI-first, assembly-focused robotics that rebuilds American manufacturing—faster, more flexible, and ready for what’s next."

## Products & Services
- **Battery Pack Assembly**: Small to medium-scale battery pack assembly that streamlines the path from prototype to full-scale production, enabling faster iteration and secure domestic manufacturing.
- **Advanced Hardware Sub-Assemblies**: Rapid construction of complex mechanical assemblies for next-generation and legacy hardware using AI-driven robotic cells, eliminating the need for bespoke factories.
- **Defense & Dual-Use Robotics**: Modular robotic cells for defense and dual-use applications that enable rapid assembly of critical infrastructure through secure and resilient American supply chains.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding — $19M in seed funding (announced April 2026)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Khosla Ventures, Hanabi Capital, Red Glass Ventures, Zero Shot Fund
- **Growth Signals**: The company has grown from 14 employees to over 20 builders in a short period, with a monthly headcount growth rate of +26.7%. It opened its San Francisco HQ in May 2026, just 21 days after the space was still being opened with a sledgehammer. Website traffic is growing +128.4% month-over-month.

## Competitive Advantages
- **AI-first, assembly-focused approach**: Unlike traditional contract manufacturers that require bespoke factories, Foundry uses modular, AI-driven robotic cells that can be rapidly reconfigured for different products.
- **Dual-use capability**: Serving both defense and commercial applications, which opens up a large addressable market and provides mission-driven work.
- **Speed of iteration**: The company can go from prototype to full-scale production faster than traditional manufacturers, as demonstrated by opening its HQ in under a month.
- **Team pedigree**: The founding team includes talent from Tesla, Blue Origin, Scale AI, Google DeepMind, and the UPenn GRASP Lab.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling the engineering and manufacturing platform**: The company is actively hiring across robotics, AI, software, operations, and quality engineering roles to scale its platform.
- **Rebuilding American manufacturing**: Foundry is focused on creating a domestic, secure, and resilient supply chain for critical infrastructure, particularly for defense and dual-use applications.
- **Rapid iteration and deployment**: The company prioritizes speed, moving from concept to production floor in weeks, not years.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven work**: Employees directly contribute to rebuilding American manufacturing and strengthening national security through advanced robotics.
- **High-caliber team**: The team includes builders from Tesla, Blue Origin, Scale AI, Google DeepMind, and the UPenn GRASP Lab, offering a steep learning curve and exposure to cutting-edge technology.
- **Hybrid workspace**: The company operates a hybrid model with a strong in-office presence at its San Francisco HQ, which includes a factory floor where robots are built and deployed.
- **Early-stage impact**: As a seed-stage company, employees have significant ownership and influence over the product, culture, and direction of the company.
- **Rapid growth environment**: With a 26.7% monthly headcount growth rate and a focus on scaling, the company offers fast-paced career growth opportunities.

## Sources
1. [foundryrobotics.ai](https://foundryrobotics.ai/)
2. [LinkedIn - Foundry Robotics](https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundry-robotics)
3. [Built In - Foundry Robotics](https://builtin.com/company/foundry-robotics)
4. [Remix Reality - Foundry Robotics Raises $19 Million](https://www.remixreality.com/foundry-robotics-raises-19-million-to-build-ai-first-robotics-for-manufacturing/)
5. [Ashby - Foundry Robotics Careers](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/foundry-robotics)

## Other roles at Foundry Robotics Inc.

- [Founding Marketing Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/founding-marketing-lead-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-72p3hewtt90m) — San Francisco, CA
- [Network Engineer, Autonomous Factory](https://feeny.ai/job/network-engineer-autonomous-factory-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-d0q4ta3kfnwv) — San Francisco, CA
- [Infrastructure Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/infrastructure-engineer-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-jhhav7qbccvg) — San Francisco, CA
- [Physical AI Deployment Strategist](https://feeny.ai/job/physical-ai-deployment-strategist-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-zze5bv4das57) — San Francisco, CA
- [Head of Security](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-security-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-352vqv4gk28v) — San Francisco, CA
- [Head of Talent](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-talent-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-terq8j6fpkkw) — San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Robotics Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-robotics-control-engineer-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-h08vzav6496s) — San Francisco, CA
- [Lead Robotics Platform Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-robotics-platform-engineer-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-xzw9gcg2b008) — San Francisco, CA
- [Staff Full-Stack Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-full-stack-software-engineer-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-zaamfcr5f34y) — San Francisco, CA
- [Senior Quality Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-quality-engineer-foundry-robotics-inc-san-francisco-r3bjndngc4xy) — San Francisco, CA