Senior Industrial Interface Architect

About mimic

mimic robotics is a frontier physical AI company building the full stack of general-purpose dexterous manipulation. Founded in 2024 by ETH Zurich researchers, mimic pioneered Video-Action Models for robotics while also developing in-house dexterous hand hardware. Our growing team brings together world-class researchers working across our offices in Zurich and San Francisco.

As mimic rapidly expands its fleet of deployments, we are building a scalable, resilient industrial platform that seamlessly bridges traditional factory infrastructure with our cutting-edge AI and robotics stack.

As a Senior Industrial Interface Architect, you will architect and advise on our Industrial Context Protocol and over-the-air (OTA) integration strategy while playing a pivotal hands-on role in deploying and debugging system stations on-site. You are a generalist within the industrial domain—someone with broad multi-factory experience who approaches complex integration from first principles rather than a rigid "how the industry has always done it" mindset.

Responsibilities

• Industrial Platform & Architecture: Architect, define, and advise on our ICP and deployment strategy to connect mimic’s AI/robotics stack with industrial control systems (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, MES, DCS, and Industry 4.0/IoT environments).
• Deployment & Commissioning: Lead the end-to-end setup and technical integration of robot stations, hands, data collection tools, and wearable hardware at customer sites.
• On-Site & High-Pressure Debugging: Diagnosing and resolving complex software, hardware, Linux, and electronic issues under real-world, high-pressure factory conditions with calm, methodical execution. This will likely entail an on-call component.
• Diagnostics & Tooling Infrastructure: Maintain a structured log of field issues and collaborate closely with core robotics, hardware, and AI software teams to build automated setup, diagnostic, and debugging tools that accelerate future deployments.
• Customer Representation: Serve as a trusted, highly professional technical communicator in customer-facing factory settings.
• Team Growth & Operations: Conduct daily operational checkups of deployed robotics and wearable stations, refine station setups independently, and mentor/onboard future field and integration engineers.

What you bring

• Industrial Protocol & PLC Expertise: Extensive, proven experience programming PLCs and working with industrial communication protocols (e.g., OPC UA, Modbus, PROFINET, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP) across diverse manufacturing or logistics environments.
• Industrial Automation Stack Knowledge: Broad exposure to factory infrastructure including SCADA, HMIs, MES, DCS, and Industry 4.0 / IoT frameworks across multiple sectors (e.g., automotive, consumer goods, logistics).
• First-Principles Engineering Mindset: An open, curious, and adaptable mindset when connecting traditional industrial automation setups to a novel, learning-based robotics stack—wary of single-factory dogma.
• Linux Systems Proficiency: Comfort navigating, configuring, and debugging system environments and processes in Linux.
• Hardware & Electronics Diagnostic Skills: Solid understanding of electronic circuits, cabling, sensor interfaces, and hardware failure modes to rapidly spot and resolve physical station issues on-site.
• Software Development Capability: Practical ability to write, modify, and debug code in Python, C++, or Rust to build integration layers and diagnostic scripts.
• Robotics Stack Familiarity: Strong foundation in robotic arms, end-effector interfaces, kinematic considerations, and familiarity with ROS2 or similar software stacks.
• Professional Communication: Calm, clear, and structured problem-solving approach when working in customer environments.

Nice to have

• Safety & Certification Experience: Understanding of functional safety standards, safety PLCs, and certification frameworks (e.g., ISO 13849, IEC 62061, Pilz/SICK safety setups).
• Tier-1 / System Integrator Background: Sourcing experience or prior background at leading industrial automation companies or system integrators (e.g., SICK, Pilz, ABB, Siemens, Beckhoff).
• OTA & Edge Deployment: Hands-on experience with over-the-air deployment pipelines, edge containerization, and remote fleet monitoring in industrial setups.

What We Offer

Compensation & Benefits

• We offer a total compensation package including a competitive yearly base salary and a strong stock option package to make you part of our shared success.
• You will work with the founders from day one, shaping the company and participating in its success from its early stages.
• Surprise team trips, free gym and sports subscription, joint breakfasts and dinners and other exciting team activities.

You will have the opportunity to shape a robotics & AI company from the ground up. In flat hierarchies you will work directly with the founders and some of the best talent in the robotics space. At mimic, you are accepted for who you are. As part of our ongoing journey towards creating a diverse and inclusive environment we encourage everyone to apply and we are looking forward to you bringing along your knowledge, personal experiences, and fresh perspectives.