Application Engineer

Sierra Ventures; Texas; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Ventures is seeking a hands-on Applications Engineer to deploy and integrate industrial robotic systems across customer sites, bridging our software platform with real-world manufacturing environments. You will configure robots, develop offline programs, commission systems, and support go‑live and beyond.

Responsibilities include on-site commissioning, troubleshooting, pre‑sales support, and field documentation. 30–50% travel is expected to support domestic and international deployments.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on robotics deployment in manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency with at least one offline programming tool (ROBOGUIDE, RobotStudio, etc.).
• Experience integrating robotics with tooling, sensors, PLCs, and safety systems.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot across robot mechanics, controllers, I/O, and networks on the shop floor.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, DeviceNet).
• Willingness to travel 30–50% domestically and internationally.
• Strong communication skills with customer operators, maintenance teams, and engineering staff.

Responsibilities

• Program and deploy robotic systems for industrial applications using both the Augmentus platform and OEM environments.
• Develop and validate robot programs using offline programming tools prior to site deployment.
• Configure and integrate robotic hardware, end‑of‑arm tooling, sensors, PLCs, and safety systems to create production cells.
• Perform on‑site commissioning, fine‑tuning, and handover of robotic systems at customer facilities domestically and internationally.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and programming issues on industrial robots and automation systems, documenting resolutions.
• Support pre‑sales activities including proof‑of-concept testing and offline simulation demonstrations.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to gather requirements and define system configurations.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including work instructions and commissioning reports.
• Provide post‑deployment training and support to end‑users and maintenance personnel.
• Contribute field insights back to the product team to improve the platform.

Skills

Robotics deployment

Industrial automation

Offline programming

System integration

Troubleshooting

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Mechatronics/Electrical Engineering/Industrial Automation

Tools

FANUC ROBOGUIDE

ABB RobotStudio

KUKA.Sim

Yaskawa MotoSim

Delfoi

Robotmaster

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

About your role

We are looking for a hands‑on Applications Engineer with deep practical experience deploying and integrating industrial robotic systems. In this role, you will be the bridge between our software platform and real‑world manufacturing environments — configuring robots, developing offline programs, commissioning systems on the shop floor, and supporting customers through go‑live and beyond. This is not a software development role; it is an engineering and integration role for someone who has spent time programming, deploying, and troubleshooting industrial robots in production settings.

• Program and deploy robotic systems for industrial applications including surface treatment, painting, welding, and similar processes, using both the Augmentus platform and traditional OEM programming environments.
• Develop and validate robot programs using offline programming (OLP) tools prior to site deployment, ensuring accuracy and minimizing on‑site commissioning time.
• Configure and integrate robotic hardware, end‑of‑arm tooling, sensors, PLCs, and ancillary equipment to create complete, production‑ready automation cells.
• Perform on‑site commissioning, fine‑tuning, and handover of robotic systems at customer facilities domestically and internationally.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and programming issues on industrial robots and automation systems, escalating appropriately and documenting resolutions.
• Support pre‑sales activities including proof‑of‑concept testing, offline simulation demonstrations, and technical feasibility assessments to help customers evaluate the Augmentus platform for their specific applications.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to gather application requirements, define system configurations, and ensure successful project execution.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including work instructions, commissioning reports, and application‑specific user guides.
• Provide post‑deployment support and training to end‑users and maintenance personnel.
• Contribute field insights back to the product team to help improve the Augmentus platform based on real‑world deployment experience.

Requirements

• 3+ years of hands‑on experience programming, deploying, and commissioning industrial robots (e.g., FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa/Motoman, Universal Robots) in a manufacturing or systems integration environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency with at least one offline programming (OLP) tool such as FANUC ROBOGUIDE, ABB RobotStudio, KUKA.Sim, Yaskawa MotoSim, Delfoi, Robotmaster, or similar.
• Practical experience integrating robots with peripheral equipment: tooling, sensors, conveyors, PLCs, and safety systems.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues across robot mechanics, controller software, I/O, and network communications on the shop floor.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, DeviceNet) and basic PLC ladder logic.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally for customer deployments (estimated 30–50% travel).
• Strong communication skills — able to work directly with customer operators, maintenance teams, and engineering staff.

Good to have

• Experience in applications such as abrasive blasting, spray painting, thermal spray, or arc/spot welding.
• Exposure to 3D scanning, point cloud data, or vision‑guided robotics in an industrial context.
• Experience working with robot simulation environments and virtual commissioning.
• Knowledge of CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for reviewing or creating cell layouts and fixture designs.
• Background in system integration or working for a robot OEM, distributor, or automation integrator.
• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field. Candidates without a formal degree but with 5+ years of demonstrable hands‑on industrial robotics deployment experience will be given equal consideration.