Robotisation Chief Architect

Aperam; Isbergues; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Aperam seeks a Robotisation Chief Architect to define domain governance and holistic system design for global robotic deployments in heavy steel environments. You will shape master blueprints, establish URS, and ensure standardisation across regions, balancing safety, cost, and performance.

Lead cross-functional teams, drive supplier alignment, and ensure compliance with European safety directives while delivering scalable automation that supports Aperam's circular economy goals.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in mechatronics, robotics cell design, and industrial automation deployment.
• Experience in steel/heavy industry robotics is a strong plus.
• Hands-on knowledge of mechanical, electrical, safety standards and control systems.

Responsibilities

• Define domain architecture and master blueprints for robotic applications.
• Drive global standardisation and technical governance of automation components.
• Ensure site integration aligns with global mandates and local KPIs.
• Lead cross-functional teams to enforce safety, reliability, and cost discipline.

Skills

Mechatronics

Robotics design

Industrial automation

Robot platforms

URS/BoM drafting

IT/OT integration

E-plan

Safety standards

Stakeholder management

Project governance

Education

Master’s degree in Automation/Robotics/Mechatronics

Tools

E‑plan

Robotics platforms (KUKA, ABB, FANUC)

Job description

Aperam is a global leader in stainless, electrical, and specialty steels, as well as recycling and renewables, serving customers in over 40 countries. Our business is structured into four segments: Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions, Alloys & Specialties, and Recycling & Renewables.

We have a flat stainless and electrical steel production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes in Brazil and Europe, and we lead in alloys and high-value specialty products. Our industrial network includes 16 production facilities across Brazil, Belgium, France, the United States, India, and China. Aperam operates an integrated distribution, processing, and services network, with a unique ability to produce low‑carbon stainless and specialty steels using biomass, stainless steel scrap, and high-performance alloys scrap.

Through BioEnergia, we produce charcoal from our own FSC®-certified forests, and with ELG - Aperam Recycling, a global leader in stainless steel and high-performance alloys recycling, we place sustainability at the core of our business, enabling our customers to thrive in the circular economy.

Join us and be part of a dynamic team where technology and innovation meets industrial transformation. Your talent and energy will help drive smarter, more sustainable solutions for a global company committed to be a leading value creator in the circular economy of infinite, world-changing materials.

Visit https://www.aperam.com/to learn more - and let’s build what’s next, together.

Your Role

As the Robotisation Chief Architect, your core mission is Domain Governance and Holistic System Design. You are the technical visionary who defines exactly how globally sourced automation equipment should be designed, built, and deployed.

You look at the "big picture" of a robotic workcell -- from the mechanical payload capabilities and safety fencing, to the electrical cabinets, PLC logic, and final factory integration. By establishing strict User Requirement Specifications (URS), standardized engineering methodologies, and global component standards, you will prevent technical fragmentation and guarantee that all procured machinery operates safely and reliably within Aperam’s heavy steel environments.

Your daily responsibilities will include

Domain Architecture & Master Blueprints

• Author the master technical guidelines for all robotic applications (e.g. standardising End‑of‑arm Tooling requirements, payload safety margins, and kinematic path planning rules for heavy materials) to define the robotic cell blueprints
• Drive a decoupled system design philosophy so that Aperam retains ownership of the core operational logic and avoids vendor lock‑in
• Define the overarching rules for how mechanical, electrical, safety, and control subsystems must come together to form a cohesive, reliable machine

Global Standardisation & Technical Governance

• Define and enforce a strict, non‑negotiable list of approval automation components (robot brands, PLCs, sensors, servo drives) and hardware‑based safety devices to be used by all global suppliers
• Develop airtight URS and technical annexes that will be legally attached to all global supplier contracts
• Set stage gate FAT/SAT criteria including mechanical tests, cycle‑time validations, and engineering methodologies that our regional and hub‑based quality engineers will use to execute FAT worldwide

Business Synergy & Site Integration

• Act as the strategic connective tissue between the overarching automation program and the Regional Managers. Ensure that global technical mandates directly support local business KPIs, operational budgets, and production schedules
• Work closely with local site applications engineers and plant operators to ensure the deployed robotics are user friendly, maintainability, and fit‑for‑purpose in their specific local environments
• Anticipate and eliminate technical, operational, and cultural roadblocks before they impact the local sites. Create synergy across the global network by sharing best practices, standardising training, and ensuring a frictionless handover of equipment to the local production teams

Cross‑functional Leadership and Compliance

• Empower global sourcing hubs, serve as the technical backbone for our Category managers and Sourcing leads globally, providing them with the engineering leverage needed to strip hidden costs out of supplier quotes and enforce our technical standards
• Defend global compliance by ensuring that the drive for CAPEX reduction never compromises safety. Act as the ultimate authority on European Machinery Directive (CE), ISO12100 (Risk Assessment), and ISO 13849 (Safety of Machinery) for all imported equipment, by working closely with the Chief Safety and Compliance Officer within the program
• Continuously audit supplier designs to ensure all mechanical and electrical architecture are robust enough to survive heavy industry, steelmaking, dust, heat, massive payout and application variations

What We Expect From You

Education & Background

• Master’s degree in Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related technical discipline

Language

• Fluent, strong technical English
• Any additional language Dutch/German/French is considered a plus

Technical Skills & Experiences

• 10+ years of extensive experiences in mechatronics, robotics cell design, and industrial automation deployment. Specific experiences in the steel and heavy industry, particularly related to the automation and robotic applications are considered a very strong plus
• Broad, holistic knowledge of industrial machinery building, encompassing mechanical design, electrical schematics (E‑plan), PLC control logics, and industrial safety standards
• Hands‑on background with major robotic platforms (e.g. KUKA, ABB, FANUC) and advanced mobile robotics (AGV/AMR fleets)
• Proven experience defining Master Bill of Materials (BoM) and writing highly detailed URS for external equipment builders
• Familiarity with factory IT/OT integration is required, though pure software/IT development is not the primary focus of this role

Soft Skills & Work Approach

• Meticulous attention to detail regarding technical documentation, standardisation rules, and global engineering frameworks are considered as the part of your ‘genes’ in your methodology
• Adept at managing both the business and the users. Capable of aligning diverse stakeholders, eliminating localising friction, and fostering a collaborative environment where global standards empower rather than hinder local production
• Resilient and assertive; capable of holding diverse global suppliers accountable to strict technical standards and rejecting sub‑par machine designs
• A highly pragmatic, problem‑solving mindset that balances the desire for perfect standardisation with the practical, fast‑paced realities of the factory floor

Why Join Us?

Drive the future of heavy industry: play a pivotal role in modernizing one of the world’s leading steel manufacturers through cutting‑edge automation.

Be part of a high‑impact team where you see your engineering work directly transform production floors.

Gain unparalleled cross‑border project experience, elevating your profile from a local integration engineer to an internationally recognised automation expert.