R&D Staff Engineer - Hazardous Area Products

About the Role

FANUC America, the largest industrial robot manufacturer and the only producer of Explosion-proof robots in the U.S., is seeking an R&D Staff Engineer to provide compliance leadership for hazardous area (explosive environment) industrial robot products throughout development and production. You will manage product certification and agency approval activities, secure approvals for new products, maintain existing certifications, coordinate with approval agencies, resolve certification issues, and develop technical strategies and documentation for compliance. Cross-functional partnership will ensure products meet regulatory requirements and performance expectations.

Responsibilities

• Develop specifications for hazardous area (explosive environment) products to ensure compliance with applicable international standards
• Lead product certification activities, including development and execution of test plans, procedures, and analysis to support approvals
• Interface with approval agencies (e.g., FM, DEKRA, CSA, Notified Bodies), coordinate approval activities, and maintain product certifications and documentation
• Monitor and assess changes to applicable standards and determine impact on existing and future products
• Review and approve design and documentation changes affecting certified products to ensure continued compliance
• Lead internal and surveillance audits driven by explosion-proof certification audits
• Provide technical guidance to engineering teams on compliance requirements and product designs
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts with engineering, manufacturing, and internal stakeholders to ensure products are designed, built, and maintained in accordance with certification requirements
• Develop and review technical communications and documentation for internal teams, global partners, and external agencies
• Resolve certification and approval issues for existing products, in coordination with responsible engineering groups
• Ensure accuracy of certification-related information in customer-facing materials, including marketing and installation documentation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Minimum ten years of experience working with approval agencies (i.e., FM, UL, CSA)
• Experience certifying products for use in hazardous locations
• Working knowledge of international hazardous area standards and certification schemes (e.g., IECEx, ATEX, JPEx, KCs)
• Strong technical problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze and resolve complex engineering challenges
• Proficiency in technical writing, including the creation and review of engineering documentation
• Solid understanding of electrical and mechanical systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Experience working with certification bodies such as CSA, DEKRA, FM, Intertek, or TIIS
• Experience supporting or leading product certifications for equipment used in hazardous (explosive) environments
• Experience administering or auditing quality systems aligned with ISO/IEC 80079-34
• Formal certification in hazardous area compliance (e.g., CompEx, IECEx, or CoPC)
• Experience serving in a technical authority or approval role for hazardous area product certifications
• Experience coordinating or hosting witnessed testing with certification agencies
• Experience in Robotics or automation systems

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Program
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Benefit Dollars
• Generous Holiday & Vacation Program