Automation Robotics Specialist

Adient plc; Greenbriar (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Adient Murfreesboro Facility seeks an Automation / Robot Specialist to own automation performance in manufacturing, developing and troubleshooting PLC, robot, vision, motion, safety, and industrial communications systems to reach target cycle time, throughput, quality, and uptime.

You will lead offline programming, cycle-time simulations, risk assessments, and system validation before production, while maintaining documentation and supporting cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Robotics, Automation or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on experience programming, integrating, troubleshooting industrial automation in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Own automation performance and optimize automated cells to improve cycle time, throughput, quality, and uptime.
• Develop, modify, test, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, robot, vision, motion-control and safety programs.
• Train sustainment personnel and ensure smooth handoff after launch.

Skills

Rockwell ControlLogix

Studio 5000

HMI development

Robot programming

Fanuc robot programming

Vision systems

EtherNet/IP

Profinet

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Robotics, Automation

Tools

Fanuc Roboguide

WinOLPC

Keyence CV-X

Cognex VisionPro

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION We are a global leader in automotive seating because of our people — a team of adventurous thinkers and passionate high performers who make it all possible. We pride ourselves on being at the vanguard of new industry trends and technologies. When you join Adient, you’ll play an important role in helping us improve the experience of a world in motion.

Summary The Automation / Robot Specialist serves as the technical owner of automation performance within manufacturing operations. This position develops, integrates, optimizes, and troubleshoots PLC, robot, vision, motion, safety, and industrial communication systems to achieve target cycle time, throughput, quality, and uptime. The specialist provides hands‑on launch and stabilization support, applies structured root‑cause analysis to eliminate recurring failures, and delivers reliable systems and documentation to sustainment teams.

Responsibilities

• Own automation system performance and conduct daily optimization of automated cells to improve cycle time, throughput, quality, and equipment uptime.
• Develop, modify, test, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, robot, vision, motion‑control, safety, and supporting automation programs.
• Optimize robot paths, motion profiles, process sequencing, interlocks, alarms, and recovery routines while maintaining safe operation.
• Use structured root‑cause analysis and corrective action to permanently eliminate chronic equipment and process failures.
• Configure, calibrate, validate, and maintain vision systems, sensors, error‑proofing devices, servo systems, and networked industrial devices.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, launch, and the first 90 days of stabilization in partnership with the AMA Lead and cross‑functional plant teams.
• Perform offline programming, reach studies, cycle‑time simulation, risk assessment, and system validation before production implementation.
• Manage program revisions through formal backup and version‑control practices and maintain clear technical documentation, schematics, and network diagrams.
• Train sustainment personnel and complete a stable handoff after launch, including known issues, recovery procedures, validated backups, and performance status.
• Track performance against cycle‑time achievement, direct‑labor reduction, repeat‑failure elimination, and stabilization‑phase uptime targets.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Robotics, Automation, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• At least five years of hands‑on experience programming, integrating, optimizing, and troubleshooting industrial automation and robotic systems in a manufacturing environment.
• PLC, HMI, Motion, and Safety Controls Expert‑level capability with Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and Studio 5000, including Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagrams, sequencing, state machines, error handling, data manipulation, and online/offline edits.
• Advanced experience with FactoryTalk View HMI development, alarm configuration, trending, RSLinx communications, Add‑On Instructions, produced/consumed tags, Kinetix motion control, and GuardLogix safety programming.
• Industrial Robotics and Offline Programming Expert‑level Fanuc robot programming and integration, including TP programming, motion commands, I/O and conditional logic, macros, KAREL, path optimization, mastering, and calibration.
• Experience with Fanuc Roboguide and WinOLPC for offline programming, reach analysis, cycle‑time simulation, calibration, and system validation.
• Experience with Fanuc force sensing, synchronized motion, and CR‑series collaborative robots, including safety zones, hand guiding, speed and separation monitoring, workspace design, and risk assessment.
• Machine Vision and Error Proofing Experience configuring Fanuc iRVision 2D/3D applications, including part location, offsets, calibration, and robot‑guidance integration.
• Advanced experience with Keyence CV‑X and Cognex In‑Sight/VisionPro systems, including lighting, calibration, edge detection, pattern matching, OCR, blob analysis, geometric tools, multi‑camera synchronization, false‑reject reduction, and job validation.
• Industrial Networks and System Integration Proficiency with EtherNet/IP explicit messaging, implicit I/O, and scanner configuration.
• Working knowledge of Profinet, Profibus, RS‑232, Modbus RTU, and OPC UA for multi‑vendor and Industry 4.0 integration.
• Strong electrical, controls, and networking knowledge to diagnose communication, device, and system‑integration failures.
• Troubleshooting and Production Support Strong analytical and structured troubleshooting skills, with the ability to resolve complex automation failures under production and launch conditions.
• Ability to analyze interacting electrical, controls, robotics, vision, motion, and network systems and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Engineering Software, Documentation, and Version Control Proficiency with Git or SVN for automation program management and revision control.
• Proficiency with Visio for electrical schematics and industrial network diagrams.
• Experience with Factory I/O or FlexSim is preferred.

Required Certifications and Training

• Current or previously completed training in the following areas is expected; equivalent documented training or demonstrated proficiency may be accepted: Rockwell ControlLogix System Fundamentals (CCP146), Advanced Programming using RSLogix 5000 (CCP299), and FactoryTalk View Site Edition (CCP143). Fanuc Handling Tool Operations, HandlingPRO, iRVision Operations and Programming, and Collaborative Robot Operations for CR‑series robots. Keyence CV‑X training; Cognex Certified Vision Professional certification is preferred. OSHA 10‑Hour and robot‑safety training aligned with RIA R15.06 or ISO 10218.

PRIMARY LOCATION

Murfreesboro Facility Adient (NYSE: ADNT) is a global leader in automotive seating. With more than 65,000 employees in 29 countries, Adient operates ~200 manufacturing/assembly plants worldwide. We produce and deliver automotive seating for all major OEMs. From complete seating systems to individual components, our expertise spans every step of the automotive seat‑making process. We take our products from research and design to engineering and manufacturing — and into millions of vehicles every year. For more information, please visit www.adient.com.