Robotics Project Engineer / Program Manager

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Robotics & Automation Program Manager to support enterprise-wide robotics initiatives across multiple manufacturing and operational sites. This position sits at the intersection of robotics technology, business strategy, and project execution. The ideal candidate has significant robotics/automation experience and can take a consultative approach to evaluating manufacturing operations, identifying opportunities for robotics, developing business cases, and leading solutions from initial concept through deployment. This is not primarily a hands-on robot programming or field service position. Candidates should have the technical depth to understand robotics solutions while also being able to assess site needs, determine whether a robotics investment makes business and operational sense, recommend appropriate technologies and integration partners, and oversee execution. The role requires approximately 25–40% travel to U.S. sites, including Puerto Rico.

Responsibilities

• Partner with manufacturing and operational sites to identify and evaluate potential robotics and automation use cases.
• Conduct site assessments, including floor walk-throughs and discussions with operations, engineering, technical teams, and other stakeholders.
• Translate operational challenges into potential robotics and automation solutions.
• Determine the technical and operational feasibility of proposed robotics investments.
• Develop cost-benefit analyses, ROI assessments, business cases, and value propositions for robotics initiatives.
• Recommend appropriate robotics technologies, solutions, vendors, and systems integrators based on site requirements.
• Lead robotics initiatives from discovery and concept development through implementation and deployment.
• Manage multiple robotics and automation projects simultaneously across geographically dispersed sites.
• Lead small-scale proof-of-concept (PoC) projects to evaluate new robotics technologies and applications.
• Manage vendor and third-party relationships, including solution evaluation, selection, project delivery, timelines, and equipment performance.
• Partner with third-party systems integrators responsible for installation and implementation.
• Evaluate integration approaches and ensure proposed solutions meet technical and operational quality expectations.
• Build relationships with site leadership and cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Communicate the business and operational value of robotics initiatives to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Identify future automation opportunities and contribute to the organization's long-term robotics strategy and project pipeline.
• Support deployments across multiple U.S. locations and travel to sites as required.

Requirements

• 4+ years of robotics and/or industrial automation experience, with significant exposure to robotics technologies and deployments.
• Background in project, sales, applications, or manufacturing engineering either as an end-user, systems integrator, or manufacturer of robotic systems - with experience across leading robotics platforms (e.g., Kuka, FANUC, ABB, UR, MiR, Otto, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience evaluating, consulting on, selling, leading, or deploying multiple robotics use