Automation Engineer

About the role

This Automation Systems Engineer role focuses on designing, programming, integrating, commissioning, and supporting advanced automated manufacturing systems. You will work across robotics, controls, motion, vision, and mechanical disciplines to take projects from concept through production deployment. The position offers a balance of innovation and hands-on work, with significant involvement in R&D, system design, and production-floor support to expand in-house automation capabilities and drive next-generation manufacturing solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement automated manufacturing equipment and robotic systems from initial concept through full production deployment.
• Program and integrate industrial robots, motion systems, vision systems, PLCs, and custom automation solutions.
• Lead automation projects through the complete engineering lifecycle, including concept development, detailed design, testing, commissioning, validation, and ongoing production support.
• Support capital expansion initiatives and automation projects across manufacturing operations.
• Develop and optimize robotic applications using industrial robotic platforms, with a strong emphasis on FANUC robotics.
• Program robotic motion paths for assembly, material handling, machine tending, inspection, and other manufacturing processes.
• Design and implement precision motion control applications involving multi-axis automation equipment.
• Troubleshoot and optimize robotic and motion control systems to improve performance and reliability.
• Develop and integrate machine vision solutions for inspection, quality verification, alignment, guidance, localization, and automation feedback loops.
• Integrate vision systems with robotic controllers, PLCs, and manufacturing equipment.
• Conduct hardware and software integration of robotics, controls, vision systems, sensors, tooling, and mechanical assemblies.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), vendor evaluations, site acceptance activities, and commissioning efforts.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during machine startup and production deployment.
• Work within an automation R&D laboratory to evaluate emerging technologies and develop proof-of-concept automation solutions.
• Build and test robotic cells and automation prototypes to validate new concepts.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and recommend innovative automation approaches.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, operations, and engineering teams to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to automate manufacturing processes using robotics and advanced automation technologies.
• Lead automation projects from concept and testing through installation, validation, and production launch.
• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize FANUC robotic systems.
• Create engineering documentation, including drawings, procedures, operating instructions, and troubleshooting guides.
• Work directly on the manufacturing floor to debug hardware and software issues and support equipment startup and optimization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, controls engineering, or machine integration.
• 3+ years of experience automating manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Experience taking automation projects from concept through commissioning and production deployment.
• Hands-on experience integrating software, controls, robotics, mechanical systems, and production equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot systems both in an engineering environment and directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Strong understanding of robotics, manufacturing processes, and industrial automation.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting FANUC robots.
• Experience programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting industrial robotic systems.
• Ability to take automated equipment from concept, design, and programming through commissioning and production startup, ideally with integrator experience.
• Experience implementing vision-guided robotics, inspection systems, alignment, localization, or quality verification applications.
• PLC programming and industrial controls experience, including exposure to platforms such as Rockwell and Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Experience with servo systems, motion control, robotics communication networks, and machine integration.
• Comfort working on the manufacturing floor using tools, debugging hardware and software issues, and supporting equipment startup.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks for automation equipment design.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, end-of-arm tooling, and robotic work cells.
• Ability to troubleshoot robotics, controls, sensors, and pneumatics.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, vendors, and leadership teams.

Qualifications

• Direct experience programming and integrating FANUC robots, with additional experience in other platforms such as ABB considered valuable.
• Experience with industrial articulated robots, SCARA robots, precision motion systems, or other advanced automation platforms.
• Experience developing custom machine vision solutions for inspection and quality assurance.
• Experience working for a custom machine builder, systems integrator, automation integrator, or OEM automation equipment manufacturer.
• Experience with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), commissioning, and startup activities.
• Experience developing high-precision automation systems for assembly, inspection, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar tools for electrical design and schematics.
• Background in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or related disciplines.
• Familiarity with SCADA systems and industrial automation software environments.
• Experience creating robotic simulations and evaluating system performance, cycle times, and layouts, including use of FANUC ROBOGUIDE or comparable tools.
• Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and recommend innovative automation solutions.
• Comfort working in an innovative R&D environment focused on emerging technologies and advanced automation.