Advanced R&D Engineer

Laitram LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Intralox seeks an Advanced R&D Engineer to drive concept development across mechanical design, controls, and embedded software for automation solutions. The role emphasizes rapid prototyping, system integration, and hands-on testing on cross-functional teams.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in electromechanical systems, strong CAD skills, and the ability to transform ambiguity into concrete designs. Travel 10–20% is expected; location flexibility is available for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Controls, Robotics or related field.
• 5+ years in electromechanical systems, automation equipment, robotics, or industrial machinery.
• Strong CAD skills; hands-on prototype building and testing experience.
• Working knowledge of electrical systems, sensors, actuators, and control systems.
• Willingness to travel 10–20% (mostly domestic, some international).

Responsibilities

• Concept development and innovation for industrial automation and material handling.
• Mechanical design and prototyping, including 3D CAD and rapid prototyping.
• Electrical, controls and software integration with PLCs and embedded systems.
• Lead experiments, develop test plans, collect data, and analyze results.
• Cross-functional collaboration with commercial, operations, and engineering teams.

Skills

3D CAD

Prototype testing

Electrical systems

Controls engineering

Rapid prototyping

System integration

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Tools

PLC

Embedded systems

Instrumentation

Job description

New Orleans, LA, Baltimore/Washington D.C.

Job Category

Division

Intralox

We are seeking a highly versatile and hands-on Advanced R&D Engineer to help shape the future of industrial automation and material handling solutions. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of mechanical design, controls, electrical systems, and rapid prototyping.

The successful candidate will transform ambiguous opportunities into practical solutions by developing concepts, building prototypes, testing assumptions, and validating new technologies. You will work closely with engineers, commercial teams, operations, manufacturing, and customers to explore innovative technologies and develop solutions that address real-world business challenges.

Due to the highly collaborative nature of Advanced R&D and the need for frequent interaction during concept development, prototyping, and testing activities, this role is preferably located in our Hanover, Maryland office. Candidates who can regularly work on-site in Hanover are strongly preferred. However, for the right candidate, we are also open to this position being based in our New Orleans, Louisiana or Eindhoven, Netherlands offices.

Intralox is a division of Laitram, L.L.C., with an extensive portfolio of innovative conveyance solutions and services that improve lives and optimize businessesworldwide.

Our global workforceof over 3,000 employees in 20+ countriesconsist of reliable problem solvers, continuously developing and directly delivering solutions that have driven our customers’ growth worldwide for more than 50 years.

Intralox was founded on the principle of doing the right thing, by treating customers, employees, and suppliers with honesty, fairness, and respect. We invest heavily in these values and aim to practice our business philosophy principles every day, which is why we have been consistently recognized for innovation and workplace excellence. We believe in the power of a good idea no matter where it comes from, using trust as the foundation to how we work, and that self-managed people are our greatest asset.

We listen objectively, think creatively, and deliver results. To learn more about our company culture, philosophy, and benefits, please visit our company page.

This position is not eligible for work authorization or sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and develop innovative technologies, concepts, and applications related to industrial automation, material handling, sensing, robotics, controls, and adjacent technologies.
• Translate loosely defined opportunities and customer needs into actionable engineering concepts.
• Develop system-level architectures that integrate mechanical, electrical, controls, and software components.
• Make informed engineering assumptions when requirements are incomplete and drive projects forward despite ambiguity.

Mechanical Design & Prototyping

• Create mechanical concepts, assemblies, and detailed designs using 3D CAD tools.
• Design and build proof-of-concept systems and functional prototypes.
• Select and integrate motors, actuators, sensors, power transmission components, and other electromechanical hardware.
• Utilize rapid prototyping methods including machining, 3D printing, fabrication, and hands-on assembly.

Electrical, Controls & Software Integration

• Understand and apply electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuits, power distribution, sensors, actuators, and control systems.
• Develop and troubleshoot control architectures for prototype systems.
• Interface with PLCs, industrial controls, embedded systems, and software-driven automation solutions.
• Collaborate with controls and software engineers to ensure effective system integration.
• Lead structured experiments to validate concepts, technologies, and performance assumptions.
• Develop test plans, collect data, and analyze results.
• Identify technical risks early and systematically reduce uncertainty through experimentation.
• Convert prototype learnings into documented requirements and design recommendations.

Requirements Development

• Transform customer needs, observations, and experimental findings into clear engineering requirements.
• Define performance metrics, validation criteria, and success measures.
• Ensure concepts are evaluated against technical, operational, and business objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with commercial, operations, product management, manufacturing, and engineering teams.
• Participate in customer visits, technology evaluations, and prototype demonstrations.
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation, rapid learning, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Controls Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience developing electromechanical systems, automation equipment, robotics, or industrial machinery.
• Strong mechanical design skills with proficiency in 3D CAD software.
• Hands-on experience building and testing prototypes.
• Working knowledge of electrical systems, sensors, actuators, control systems, and industrial automation principles.
• Ability to troubleshoot across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines.
• Experience defining and executing engineering tests.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-directed individual who thrives in a fast-paced, highly ambiguous environment.
• Willingness to travel 10-20%. Mostly domestic, some international.

Preferred:

• Experience with PLCs, industrial networking, motion control, or robotics systems.
• Familiarity with embedded electronics and microcontrollers.
• Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and experimental design.
• Knowledge of software development fundamentals and scripting languages such as Python.
• Experience with automation, warehouse automation, logistics, material handling, or manufacturing systems.
• Experience with rapid prototyping tools including 3D printing, machining, or fabrication.
• Advanced degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

The ideal candidate:

• Has broad technical curiosity and enjoys learning new technologies.
• Is equally comfortable at a CAD workstation, in a lab, or on a shop floor.
• Takes ownership of problems without waiting for perfect direction.
• Uses testing and experimentation to answer questions quickly.
• Balances creativity with engineering rigor.
• Embraces a "test fast, learn fast" mindset.
• Is energized by difficult, undefined challenges and transforming ideas into working solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Concept Development & Innovation

• Identify, evaluate, and develop innovative technologies, concepts, and applications related to industrial automation, material handling, sensing, robotics, controls, and adjacent technologies.
• Translate loosely defined opportunities and customer needs into actionable engineering concepts.
• Develop system-level architectures that integrate mechanical, electrical, controls, and software components.
• Make informed engineering assumptions when requirements are incomplete and drive projects forward despite ambiguity.

Mechanical Design & Prototyping

• Create mechanical concepts, assemblies, and detailed designs using 3D CAD tools.
• Design and build proof-of-concept systems and functional prototypes.
• Select and integrate motors, actuators, sensors, power transmission components, and other electromechanical hardware.
• Utilize rapid prototyping methods including machining, 3D printing, fabrication, and hands-on assembly.

Electrical, Controls & Software Integration

• Understand and apply electrical engineering fundamentals, including circuits, power distribution, sensors, actuators, and control systems.
• Develop and troubleshoot control architectures for prototype systems.
• Interface with PLCs, industrial controls, embedded systems, and software-driven automation solutions.
• Collaborate with controls and software engineers to ensure effective system integration.

Testing & Risk Reduction

• Lead structured experiments to validate concepts, technologies, and performance assumptions.
• Develop test plans, collect data, and analyze results.
• Identify technical risks early and systematically reduce uncertainty through experimentation.
• Convert prototype learnings into documented requirements and design recommendations.

Requirements Development

• Transform customer needs, observations, and experimental findings into clear engineering requirements.
• Define performance metrics, validation criteria, and success measures.
• Ensure concepts are evaluated against technical, operational, and business objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with commercial, operations, product management, manufacturing, and engineering teams.
• Participate in customer visits, technology evaluations, and prototype demonstrations.
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation, rapid learning, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Controls Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience developing electromechanical systems, automation equipment, robotics, or industrial machinery.
• Strong mechanical design skills with proficiency in 3D CAD software.
• Hands-on experience building and testing prototypes.
• Working knowledge of electrical systems, sensors, actuators, control systems, and industrial automation principles.
• Ability to troubleshoot across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines.
• Experience defining and executing engineering tests.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-directed individual who thrives in a fast-paced, highly ambiguous environment.
• Willingness to travel 10-20%. Mostly domestic, some international.

Preferred:

• Experience with PLCs, industrial networking, motion control, or robotics systems.
• Familiarity with embedded electronics and microcontrollers.
• Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and experimental design.
• Knowledge of software development fundamentals and scripting languages such as Python.
• Experience with automation, warehouse automation, logistics, material handling, or manufacturing systems.
• Experience with rapid prototyping tools including 3D printing, machining, or fabrication.
• Advanced degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

The ideal candidate:

• Has broad technical curiosity and enjoys learning new technologies.
• Is equally comfortable at a CAD workstation, in a lab, or on a shop floor.
• Takes ownership of problems without waiting for perfect direction.
• Uses testing and experimentation to answer questions quickly.
• Balances creativity with engineering rigor.
• Embraces a "test fast, learn fast" mindset.
• Is energized by difficult, undefined challenges and transforming ideas into working solutions.

Intralox’s benefit program is a major part of an employee’s total compensation from the company. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, paid time off, 401K, flexible spending account, life and AD&DD insurance, long term care, tuition reimbursement, and additional voluntary benefits. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. Intralox considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training and key skills. Therefore, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their salary expectations. The position is eligible for one of the following: commissions, discretionary incentives, or production incentives according to the terms of those plans Salary Range $74,800 to $150,100