Robotics Manipulation Engineer

Meta
Fremont, CA

About the job

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.

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

Qualifications

Minimum

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

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