Full-Time
Staff Process Industrial Engineer Factory Launch
Foundation
51-200 employees
Develops general-purpose humanoid robots for automation
Compensation Overview
$160k - $220k/yr
San Francisco, CA, USA
In Person
 Mechanical Engineering (1) |
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- 8+ years experience in manufacturing or industrial engineering
- Strong experience developing assembly processes
- Experience with production line design and line balancing
- Hands-on mindset with the ability to solve problems on the factory floor
- Foundation Hardcore Requirements: Takes ownership of manufacturing outcomes
- Foundation Hardcore Requirements: Solves problems quickly and directly
- Foundation Hardcore Requirements: Works effectively under pressure
- Foundation Hardcore Requirements: Willing to step outside defined roles to keep production moving
- Foundation Hardcore Requirements: Prioritizes execution and results
- Define Robot Build Processes: Design and develop manufacturing processes for humanoid robot production, including actuator assembly, battery pack assembly, body assembly, final robot assembly; Create scalable standard work, process documentation, and workstation designs.
- Design the Manufacturing System: Develop the production architecture for the factory, including assembly flow, material flow, line balance, takt time, labor models, workstation layout; Ensure the factory can support aggressive production ramp targets.
- Support Factory Launch: Work directly on the factory floor during launch to support pilot builds, validate manufacturing processes, debug production issues, improve build cycle time and yield.
- Drive Continuous Process Improvement: Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements to reduce cycle time, improve build quality, increase production throughput.
- Ideal Background: Robotics manufacturing
- Ideal Background: EV or Aerospace production
- Ideal Background: High-mix electromechanical assembly
- Ideal Background: Factory launch or production ramp
Foundation Robotics Labs builds general-purpose humanoid robots for industrial automation to help manufacturers overcome labor shortages. Their main product, the Phantom, is a humanoid robot designed to work in challenging factory settings and automate tasks typically done by humans. The system relies on a hybrid AI approach combined with a physics-action model, enabling the robot to operate in dynamic, real-world environments. The company has run pilot programs across various industries—such as consumer goods, beverages, and glass production—to demonstrate performance at large industrial sites. Compared with competitors, Foundation emphasizes general-purpose, adaptable robots tailored for broad industrial use and offers deployment at scale (potentially via a robotics-as-a-service model) to address labor challenges in manufacturing. The overarching goal is to increase efficiency and productivity by replacing or augmenting human labor in complex manufacturing environments.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Seed
Total Funding
$11M
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Founded
2024
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Two Phantom MK-1 units tested in Ukraine since February 2026 for lethal logistics pickup.
- The company secured $24M Pentagon research contracts across Army, Navy, and Air Force branches.
- Foundation targets 40,000 units annually by end-2027 at roughly $20,000 per unit cost.
What critics are saying
- Deploying lethal autonomous humanoid weapons triggers existential reputational collapse and regulatory bans within 12–18 months.
- Eric Trump’s advisory role fuels corruption scandals that could revoke the $24M Pentagon contract in 6–12 months.
- Phantom MK-1 fails in combat due to 44lb payload, lack of waterproofing, and unreliable weapon manipulation.
What makes Foundation unique
- Foundation uniquely targets military combat and defense roles, unlike peers avoiding weaponization.
- Phantom MK-2 survives 100G transient loads and carries 88+ lbs, doubling MK-1 payload.
- The company uses a hybrid AI with physics-action models for dynamic industrial and battlefield environments.
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Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
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↑ 4%Foundation Future Industries partners with AMD on humanoid robots. Foundation Future Industries, a robotics startup backed by Eric Trump, has announced a partnership with chipmaker AMD to co-develop autonomous humanoid robots for military and industrial applications. Under the deal, Foundation plans to integrate AMD's Ryzen AI Embedded X100 Series processors to build the second generation of its robot platform, the Phantom MK-2. The startup, founded in 2024, stated that its initial Phantom MK-1 robots have already contributed to manufacturing more than 24,000 vehicles during operations in 2025. Foundation CEO Sankaet Pathak revealed plans to open a factory in October capable of producing 5,000 Phantom robots annually, with a second facility planned for early next year with a 50,000-unit capacity. Pathak outlined that industrial-use robots are leased to commercial customers for approximately $100,000 per year, while specialized defense units built for materials handling and reconnaissance sell for $300,000 per unit. Eric Trump, son of U.S. President Donald Trump, has been an investor in the startup since early this year and serves as its chief strategy advisor. The Trump family's investments in defense firms competing for government contracts have drawn scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, with Eric and Donald Trump Jr. also backing firms like XTEND, Unusual Machines, and Powerus. By leveraging AMD's advanced AI processors, Foundation aims to accelerate the deployment of autonomous bipedal systems across complex factory floors and high-stakes military defense environments.
Trump-Linked startup tests humanoid robots for future military missions. Image: NBC Bay Area Jun 3, 2026 eWeek content and product recommendations are editorially independent. Legal Tech LLC may make money when you click on links to its partners. Learn More A San Francisco startup with ties to the Trump family is betting that the future of humanoid machines lies not in homes or restaurants, but in factories, military bases, and potentially even combat zones. Foundation Future Industries, a robotics company founded in 2024, is developing autonomous humanoid robots designed for industrial work and defense applications. The company believes robots should take on some of the most dangerous tasks currently performed by humans. "I'm convinced the technology is reaching a level where it can replace jobs that are dangerous for humans to perform, and if you can do that, it's the highest net good you can create out of all applications of robotics," Foundation CEO Sankaet Pathak told CNBC. The company's vision stands apart from many rivals in the fast-growing humanoid robotics industry, where firms are focused on creating machines capable of household chores and customer service tasks. Instead, Foundation is targeting hazardous environments, including military operations. Ukraine serves as an early testing ground. Earlier this year, Foundation sent two of its Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots to Ukraine for pilot demonstrations. According to the company, the deployment marked the first known use of humanoid robots in an active combat theater. The tests, conducted with Ukrainian officials and supported by the US government, focused on logistics missions in dangerous areas. The robots were evaluated for tasks such as retrieving and transporting supplies, work that can expose soldiers to enemy fire. Ukraine has become a major proving ground for emerging military technologies during its ongoing war with Russia. The conflict has already seen widespread use of drones, autonomous systems, and robotic platforms for reconnaissance, logistics, and battlefield operations. Pathak told CNBC that the demonstrations in Ukraine showed that robots could successfully handle supply pickup missions in hazardous conditions. Current limitations remain. Despite the ambitious goals, Foundation's current robots remain far from battlefield-ready. The Phantom MK-1 can carry only about 44 pounds, lacks waterproofing, and does not yet have the battery life needed for extended deployments. To address those shortcomings, Foundation plans to introduce an upgraded Phantom 2 model later this year. Pathak said the next-generation robot will feature "superhuman abilities" and carry twice the payload of the existing system. The company is also aiming to dramatically increase production, with plans to manufacture thousands of units this year. Pentagon contracts and Washington connections. Foundation has already secured $24 million in government research contracts involving the US Army, Navy, and Air Force. The contracts are focused on evaluating potential uses for humanoid robots in areas such as logistics, inspection, and weapons handling. According to Pathak, discussions with government officials have evolved beyond basic research and are increasingly focused on how the technology could be deployed at scale. Foundation has also drawn attention because of its ties to Eric Trump, the son of President Donald Trump. Eric Trump recently joined the company as chief strategy adviser after previously investing in the startup. That relationship has sparked criticism from Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who described the company's government contracts as "corruption in plain sight," according to CNBC. A Foundation spokesperson told CNBC that Eric Trump had been an investor before becoming an adviser and shared the company's goal of strengthening US manufacturing. Also read: Taiwan is testing armed robot dogs for remote island patrols as military robotics moves deeper into real-world security operations. Aminu Abdullahi is an experienced B2B technology and finance writer and award-winning public speaker. He is the co-author of the e-book, The Ultimate Creativity Playbook, and has written for various publications, including TechRepublic, eWEEK, Enterprise Networking Planet, eSecurity Planet, CIO Insight, Enterprise Storage Forum, IT Business Edge, Webopedia, Software Pundit, Geekflare and more.
Foundation Phantom MK-1: america's industrial humanoid contender. Foundation is building the Phantom MK-1, a US-designed humanoid robot aimed at logistics, manufacturing, and defense-grade industrial work. James Tuttle · Founder & Fractional CTO/CISO Meet Foundation and the Phantom MK-1. Foundation is a US-based humanoid robotics startup developing the Phantom MK-1, a full-size bipedal robot engineered for heavy-duty industrial environments. Unlike consumer-facing humanoids, Foundation positions the Phantom MK-1 squarely at logistics, manufacturing floors, warehouse automation, and ruggedized field work where uptime and payload matter more than novelty. Why the Phantom MK-1 stands out. * Industrial-first design: Built for warehouses, factories, and heavy material handling rather than home or retail demos. * American manufacturing focus: Foundation emphasizes a US supply chain and onshore production - a strategic differentiator amid growing concerns about robotics dependency on overseas hardware. * Vertically integrated stack: Custom actuators, in-house control software, and end-to-end hardware ownership for faster iteration. * Defense and dual-use potential: The platform's ruggedization positions it for logistics inside contested or industrial-hazard environments. How it compares to Tesla Optimus, Figure, and Apptronik. Where Tesla Optimus chases scale and Figure AI chases general-purpose intelligence, Foundation's Phantom MK-1 is narrower and more pragmatic: a workhorse robot for clients who need humanoid form factor inside human-built facilities today, not in five years. Apptronik's Apollo is its closest peer in industrial positioning, but Foundation's onshore-manufacturing pitch is sharper for US enterprise buyers worried about supply chain risk. What SMB and mid-market leaders should watch. For CTOs and operations leaders evaluating humanoid robotics over the next 24 months, the Phantom MK-1 is worth tracking for three reasons: * Procurement risk: US-built humanoids may qualify for federal, defense, and BABA-compliant purchasing where overseas competitors cannot. * Integration realism: Industrial-first robots tend to ship with cleaner ROI models - pick-and-place, palletizing, kitting - versus open-ended general-purpose promises. * Total cost of ownership: Onshore service and parts availability significantly reduces downtime cost vs. imported platforms. Bottom line. Foundation's Phantom MK-1 is one of the more credible American entrants in the humanoid race. It will not win on viral demos, but it could win where it matters: real industrial deployments, defensible supply chains, and serviceable economics. SMBs and mid-market manufacturers exploring humanoid pilots in 2025-2026 should add Foundation to their shortlist alongside Apptronik, Agility, and Figure.
Foundation deploys Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots to Ukraine: A new frontier in defense. The American company Foundation delivered two Phantom MK-1 humanoid robot soldiers to Ukraine in February. This was reported by Time magazine, noting that these systems are initially intended to support reconnaissance operations on the front line. The Phantom MK-1 is a humanoid robot specifically engineered for defense tasks. It is capable of utilizing various types of small arms, ranging from pistols and shotguns to M-16 rifles. Capabilities and strategic deployment of Phantom MK-1. Mike LeBlanc, co-founder of Foundation and a U.S. Marine veteran, explains that the project's goal is to create robots capable of performing combat functions instead of humans. He stated that there is a moral imperative to send robots to war instead of soldiers. The developers aim to ensure the robot can use any type of weapon a human can. According to Time, Foundation already holds research contracts worth approximately $24 million with the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. These robots are also planned for testing during U.S. Marine Corps exercises, where they will be trained to place explosives on doors to help military personnel enter facilities more safely. Humanoid soldiers are seen as a natural extension of autonomous systems like drones. They can be used for resupplying and reconnaissance, particularly in areas inaccessible to UAVs, such as low bunkers or shelters. This provides a more resilient alternative to risking infantry lives while ensuring greater precision. Technical challenges and ethical implications. Despite the technological advancement, there are concerns that humanoid soldiers could lower political and ethical barriers to starting conflicts and further dehumanize warfare. However, Foundation asserts it will follow Pentagon protocols, which allow automated systems to engage in combat only after confirmation from a human operator. The technology also faces significant physical drawbacks. Humanoid robots are heavy, expensive, and require regular charging. Their reliability in mud, dust, or rain remains unproven. The movement of a humanoid is powered by about 20 motors, and a failure in even one can lead to a complete breakdown. In a related development, the German company Cerberon Defence Systems plans to accelerate drone production using specialized robotic inspection systems. These End-of-Line-Testrobotern (final testing robots) are designed to replace human pilots in the trial flight phase after assembly. Don't miss interesting news Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Creating new mid-range smartphones is no easy task. Manufacturers have to balance performance, camera capabilities, displays, and the overall cost impact of each component. How the new Oppo A6 Pro balances these factors is discussed in its review. Logitech G PRO X2 Superstrike Lightspeed is a new flagship gaming mouse that lets you adjust the response and actuation point of the buttons to minimize lag and increase reaction speed. Let's see how it works 12.03.26 05.05 09.03.26 06.07 02.03.26 05.23 23.02.26 05.48 17.02.26 22.00 02.02.26 05.04 26.01.26 05.05 29.12.25 05.30 16.12.25 06.25 10.12.25 05.45 25.11.25 05.02 24.11.25 05.25 23.11.25 06.17 22.11.25 05.38 21.11.25 05.04 14.03.26 10.42 American company Foundation has delivered two Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots to Ukraine for reconnaissance and combat support, aiming to replace soldiers with autonomous systems. 14.03.26 08.42 Microsoft has introduced Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) technology to significantly reduce or eliminate the long shader compilation screens during the first launch of PC games. 14.03.26 10.42 14.03.26 08.42 14.03.26 08.15 13.03.26 19.21 13.03.26 17.05 13.03.26 13.13 13.03.26 11.05 13.03.26 10.04 13.03.26 08.00 13.03.26 07.18 12.03.26 19.09 12.03.26 16.09 12.03.26 13.06 12.03.26 10.11 12.03.26 07.31
Watch: Russian soldiers surrender to gun-wielding robot; humanoid warfare nears. Video footage circulating on X from the Ukrainian front shows a Droid TW-7.62 ground robotic system, roughly half the size of a Mini Cooper, forcing the surrender of three Russian troops during an active military operation. The incident suggests that war robots are rapidly maturing, moving beyond support and logistics into offensive roles. Futurism reports that Ukrainian defense robotics firm DevDroid's armed unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) forced the surrender of three Russian soldiers. "The footage shows three Russian soldiers approaching one by one, removing their equipment, and lying down next to the UGV," the tech outlet wrote in a note, adding the UGV has a ballistic computer and artificial intelligence for autonomous detection, capture, and tracking of targets. What is clear is that wheeled combat robots on the modern battlefield in Ukraine, used for offensive operations, could soon transition into humanoid robotic platforms. California-based robotics startup Foundation is developing the Phantom humanoid robot for both commercial and military use. The firm has stated ambitions to build tens of thousands of these humanoids, capable of carrying payloads and various weapon platforms, for use in dangerous missions, such as breaching buildings, and has secured defense contracts and interest from U.S. military programs. Unlike other robotics companies such as Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, ANYbotics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics, Unitree, and Figure AI, all of which have stated that their humanoids will not be used in military or defense applications, Foundation has stated otherwise. Foundation's Phantom MK1 has been trained on the 9mm pistol. CEO Sankaet Pathak confirmed Phantom MK1 has had weapons training in a recent conversation with tech blog Humanoids Daily. According to Forbes, Foundation deployed 40 robots in 2025, with manufacturing expanding this year to 10,000, then to 50,000 by late 2027. Given that Foundation is one of the very few, if not only, robotics firms in the US with a DoD contract specifically for an offensive humanoid combat robot, it wouldn't be a surprise if these bots were found on the Ukrainian battlefield for testing later this year. Great time for a Polymarket bet on when Skynet arrives...