Field Service Engineer - Robotics

About Silana

Silana is an early-stage start-up that builds automated production systems for the garment industry. Our machines integrate robotic manipulation, computer vision, AI, industrial controls, and embedded compute to automate sewing and assembly operations that are still performed manually in most of the world .We're preparing to ship our first machines to customer sites, and we're looking for the person who will build, test, and commission them.

The Role

This is a hybrid technician / field engineer role. Most of the time, you'll work hands-on in our New York City Lab: assembling machines, integrating subsystems, running tests, and making sure everything we ship works. When a machine goes to a customer, you go with it, installing, commissioning, and supporting it on-site until it runs reliably. Our first deployment is in Germany, and you'll be a core part of that team on the ground.

As we deploy more machines across Europe and the US, this role grows with the fleet: more commissioning trips, more customer-facing responsibility, and the chance to shape how Silana does field service from day one.

What You'll Do

In-house (majority of your time)

• Assemble and integrate mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic subsystems into complete machines
• Run functional and endurance tests; document results and flag issues to the engineering team
• Support test engineering work: build test fixtures, define test procedures, help improve QA processes
• Debug hardware issues alongside our mechanical, controls, and software engineers
• Keep the workshop organized: tooling, spare parts, build documentation

In the field (deployments and support trips)

• Travel to customer sites (first: Germany) to install and commission machines
• Perform on-site calibration, troubleshooting, and acceptance testing with the customer
• Train customer operators and maintenance staff on safe operation and routine upkeep
• Act as Silana's face on-site: communicate clearly with customer teams and report status back to engineering
• Provide remote support and occasional return visits for deployed machines

What We're Looking For

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in mechatronics, mechanical or electrical engineering, robotics, or a related technical field — or an equivalent vocational qualification / apprenticeship (e.g. mechatronics technician) with strong hands-on experience
• Hands-on experience assembling, testing, or servicing industrial machinery, robotics, automation equipment, or similar (technician, mechatronics, field service, or maintenance background)
• Comfortable working across mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems; able to read technical drawings and wiring schematics
• Strong troubleshooting instincts - you can isolate a problem methodically and fix it, or know when to escalate
• Excellent communication skills: you'll represent us in front of customers and translate between their operators and our engineers
• Willingness to travel internationally, sometimes for extended commissioning stints (multiple weeks)
• Self-directed and reliable, in a small team, things you own actually get done

Nice to Have

• German language skills (our first deployments are in German-speaking markets)
• Experience with commissioning or customer-facing field service
• Exposure to PLCs, industrial controls, or basic scripting for test automation
• Background in textile/garment machinery or other high-precision mechatronic equipment
• Experience creating test procedures, SOPs, or service documentation

Why This Role

You'll be employee-level early at a company shipping real machines to real factories. You'll see the full lifecycle, from parts in the Lab in NYC to a running system on a customer's production floor - and you'll help define how we build, test, and deploy for years to come.

Practical Details

• Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York
• Travel: up to ~50%, domestic and international (primarily Europe)
• Compensation: $75,000 - $85,000