Industrial Robotics Engineer

Position Description

The Industrial Robotics Engineer will be domiciled in Warren, MI and develop, engineer, and launch industrial and collaborative robotic automation across Universal Logistics operations and customer facilities. This role is focused on robotic material handling, sequencing, kitting, palletizing, depalletizing, machine tending, packaging, and other applications that improve safety, quality, productivity, ergonomics, and process consistency.

You will operate as a hands-on manufacturing and automation engineer and project owner, working with robot cells, end-of-arm tooling, machine vision, controls, safety systems, equipment suppliers, customers, and cross-functional teams to take projects from concept and process definition through build, commissioning, production ramp-up, and handoff to operations.

Responsibilities:

• Develop industrial and collaborative robotic concepts and manufacturing processes; perform feasibility, cycle-time, capacity, layout, ergonomic, process-flow, and technical trade-off studies to define the right automation solution.

• Define technical requirements and RFQs/SOWs for robotic cells, including robot selection, end-of-arm tooling, fixtures, machine vision, sensors, guarding, safety devices, controls, conveyance, and equipment interfaces.

• Develop and manage automation projects with system integrators and equipment suppliers from concept and design through build, FAT, installation, SAT, commissioning, and production ramp-up; track timing, cost, scope, risks, and technical deliverables.

• Serve as an engineering interface with customers and cross-functional teams (Operations, Controls, IT, Safety, Quality, Maintenance, and Facilities); lead design reviews, process reviews, FMEA activities, risk assessments, and site-readiness planning.

• Support robot and cobot programming, PLC/HMI integration, machine vision, sensors, and end-of-arm tooling; debug equipment and validate safety, quality, cycle time, throughput, uptime, process capability, and production readiness.

• Develop acceptance criteria, operating standards, training, spare-parts and preventive-maintenance requirements, and lessons learned; complete formal handoff and standardize successful designs for future applications.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, industrial, mechatronics, robotics engineering, engineering technology, or a related technical field.

• 2 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, robotics integration, controls, or equipment launch in a manufacturing, warehousing, or logistics environment.

• Working knowledge of industrial and/or collaborative robots, end-of-arm tooling, PLC/controls, machine vision, sensors, safety systems, and integrated robotic cells.

• Ability to read mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, layouts, and technical specifications and perform cycle-time analysis, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and project coordination.

• Ability to manage suppliers, schedules, technical deliverables, and launch issues, with willingness to travel and support non-standard hours during critical installation and production launch periods.

Preferred Requirements:

• Strong self-starter with a manufacturing-engineering mindset and the ability to own projects, work directly with customers, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive technical issues to closure.

• Hands-on experience with industrial robot or cobot platforms such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, or similar systems, including programming, simulation, or commissioning.

• Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs and HMIs, safety PLCs, industrial networking, servo systems, and integration of robotic equipment with other automation.

• Experience with machine vision, force/torque sensing, grippers, vacuum tooling, fixtures, quick-change tooling, and other end-of-arm tooling technologies.

• Understanding of industrial and collaborative robot safety requirements, machine guarding, risk assessment, lockout/tagout, and applicable ANSI/RIA and ISO standards.

• Experience with AutoCAD/SolidWorks, robot simulation or virtual commissioning, FAT/SAT, run-at-rate validation, Lean/Six Sigma, or automotive/high-volume manufacturing is preferred.