Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer – Robotics & Automation

Ricoh USA, Inc.

Boulder (CO)

On-site

USD 115,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Ricoh USA, Inc. in Boulder, CO seeks an Advisory Mechanical / Hardware Engineer to develop cutting-edge solutions in robotics and renewable energy. You will spearhead multiple projects from concept to production within a small team, focusing on mechanical and electromechanical design and taking a hands-on approach to various engineering challenges.

Ideal candidates possess a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and are proficient in advanced tools like 3D CAD. The role emphasizes creating innovation and documentation aligned with R&D standards.

Qualifications

Demonstrated record of complex electromechanical product deliveries.
Hands-on experience with EOAT/gripper design and motion systems.
Comfortable operating in fast-paced R&D settings.

Responsibilities

Contribute to full-cycle mechanical/electromechanical design.
Design electrical and pneumatic systems for automation.
Generate manufacturing-ready documentation including 3D CAD and BOMs.

Skills

3D CAD

Electromechanical design

Python

C++

Machine vision

Robotics

DFM

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

MS in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

Advisory Mechanical / Hardware Engineer

Ricoh USA — Boulder R&D

About The Role

Versatile hardware engineer for a small Boulder R&D team working across inkjet, robotics, machine vision, and renewable energy programs. You’ll contribute to mechanical and electromechanical design from benchtop proof‑of‑concept through production hardware, including:

A renewable energy program advancing next‑generation solar cell manufacturing
A UR‑based collaborative palletizing system on a path to CE marking and contract manufacturing
Continuous‑feed inkjet inspection platforms and their expansion across our automation product roadmap

When mechanical workload ebbs, you’ll flex into software: Python and C++ for robotics, image processing, and high‑throughput image processing pipelines. We use Claude Code for software and hardware work — comfort with agentic AI tooling is a real differentiator.

What You’ll Do

Contribute to mechanical/electromechanical design end‑to‑end: idea → concept → POC → DVT → production hardware
Design EOAT, base frames, electrical and pneumatic systems for robotics and automation
Design industrial control panels, cable harnesses, and enclosures — component selection, circuit design, panel layout, routing, and grounding
Scope and ship one‑off / bespoke automation builds — purpose‑built rigs and process automation where you own the design from ambiguous brief to working hardware
Build robust optical/imaging fixtures (lighting, motion, alignment) for inline inspection systems
Generate manufacturing‑ready documentation: 3D CAD, electrical schematics, BOMs, assembly/work instructions, test protocols
Partner with software/controls on integration: motion/vision triggers, sensor interfaces, PLC and robot controller communications
Contribute to safety and certification work: risk assessment, Performance Level analysis, CE marking, EMC/LVD/RoHS, and US NRTL paths where applicable
Flex into hardware‑adjacent applied software when HW workload is light

Required Qualifications

BS in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field; MS a plus
Demonstrated track record of delivering multiple complex electromechanical products from POC through production — as a key contributor, not a peripheral one
Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX, Solidworks, or equivalent) and electrical schematic tools (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or equivalent)
Sheet metal and machined part design experience — DFM for bending, machining, and assembly; GD&T; experience working directly with fab shops
Hands‑on with EOAT/gripper design, pneumatics, motion systems, sensors, and control‑cabinet design and wiring
Python or C++ for embedded/robotic systems; Linux proficiency
Experience with machine vision / imaging hardware integration (cameras, lighting, lensing, calibration)
Strong systems thinking; thrives in a fast‑moving, multi‑project R&D environment

Highly Desired

Robotics software: ROS 2 (MoveIt 2, ROS 2 Control, TF2), UR programming (URCaps, safety configuration, controller integration)
Bespoke / one‑off automation experience — integrator‑style builds, purpose‑built machines for a single customer or process (vs. high‑volume catalog products)
Product certification: CE/UKCA, UL/CSA/NRTL, EMC pre‑compliance; EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230
Advanced vision & compute: Stereo/RGB‑D (6DoF pose, object detection), high‑throughput image processing pipelines, GPU acceleration
Contract‑manufacturing transfer: documentation packages, quality systems, production handoff
Precision equipment industry: inkjet, semiconductor, thin‑film, or web/roll‑to‑roll manufacturing environments
Agile / Scrum: sprint planning, backlog grooming, iterative delivery

Mindset

Comfortable navigating loosely‑defined problems and shipping working hardware without a fully spec'd brief
Embraces shifting priorities — focus moves between programs as priorities shift
Equally strong working independently and as part of a small team
Comfortable with AI coding tools and willing to explore emerging AI‑assisted engineering workflows

Working Conditions, Mental and Physical Demands

Cope with stressors and demands that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable and defined levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained. (While all jobs involve dealing with stressors, the particular stressors may vary job to job).
Work in areas which adhere to state and federal regulatory standards, or where no such standards exist, to nationally accepted guidelines; i.e., dust, fumes, physical and chemical agents.
Adaptable and flexible to work environment including, but not limited to, out of town travel as required to meet business commitments and working overtime, as business needs may require, handling multiple tasks concurrently, and easily adapting to new assignments, systems, tools; produce clear, concise, accurate written communication, clearly conveying thoughts and ideas to peers, management, and customers; establish and maintain positive work relationships with peers, management, and customers, displaying willingness to understand diverse points of view; learn and apply new equipment and tools within an acceptable timeframe; and assume ownership of assignments, completing commitments on time. (While all of these continuing responsibilities apply to all jobs in the company, the specific ways in which they apply may vary job to job).

JOB INFO