Lead Automation Commissioning Engineer

Impact Recruitment Ltd; Brown Deer (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Impact Recruitment Ltd is seeking a direct-hire engineer to lead design, integration, and deployment of high-complexity robotic systems across the full project lifecycle. The role involves hands-on setup, calibration, and multi-protocol I/O work with a focus on automated cells for diverse customers.

You will program robot platforms, collaborate with project leads through build and debug, and mentor technicians while traveling up to 40% globally.

Qualifications

• 4 to 6 years hands-on field experience configuring, integrating, and commissioning robotic arms and PLC-controlled equipment.

Responsibilities

• Start up and commission complex robotic platforms from scratch, calibrating frames and configuring I/O.
• Design robot programming architecture and ensure reliable handshaking between arms, PLCs, and material handling.
• Collaborate with project leads through build, run-off, and debug to meet cycle times.
• Provide hands-on guidance during mechanical/electrical assembly and troubleshoot wiring faults.
• Integrate 2D/3D Vision Systems for high-speed inspection and guidance.
• Support future automation concepts and quotes with technical insights.
• Mentor technicians to maintain high build efficiencies.

Skills

Robotics integration

PLC control

Vision systems

SolidWorks/CAD

Ladder logic

I/O configurations

Travel readiness

Education

Engineering degree (2- or 4-year)

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD

Robotic offline simulation

PLC programming software

Job description

Overview

Direct-hire engineering role responsible for leading design, integration, and deployment of high-complexity robotic systems across the full project lifecycle.

• TRAVEL: 30% to 40% travel | High-visibility domestic and international commissioning & client startups
• TECH STACK: Industrial robotic arms (Fanuc, Yaskawa, ABB), PLC logic, vision tracking, and SolidWorks/CAD
• EXPERIENCE: 4 to 6 years of hands-on robotic and PLC industrial automation integration
• EDUCATION: 2-year or 4-year engineering degree required (Electrical, Mechanical, Automation, or Software)
• OVERTIME: Paid overtime eligibility on top of baseline salary + premium travel benefits

This role spans the entire project lifecycle from concept to live deployment, focusing on the design, integration, and commissioning of automated robotic cells for customers in diverse industries.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Start up and initialize complex robotic platforms from scratch, managing frame calibration, mastering, and multi-protocol I/O communication configurations.
• Design complete robot programming architecture, ensuring seamless handshaking logic between articulated arms, central PLCs, and material handling platforms.
• Collaborate directly with internal project leads through the entire build, run-off, and debug lifecycle to guarantee systems meet strict customer performance cycle times.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance during mechanical and electrical assembly, tracking down complex wiring faults, and optimizing advanced end-of-arm tooling (EOAT).
• Integrate, calibrate, and program advanced 2D/3D Vision Systems into robotic cells for high-speed part inspection, sorting, and precision guidance.
• Partner with internal application engineering groups to provide critical technical insights when designing future automation concepts and quoting custom projects.
• Mentor shop assembly technicians and junior automation personnel to ensure build efficiencies remain exceptionally high.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• 4 to 6 years of proven, hands-on field experience configuring, integrating, and commissioning complex robotic arms and PLC-controlled industrial equipment.
• Completed 2-year or 4-year engineering degree (Electrical, Mechanical, Automation, or Software Technology) is required.
• Direct experience utilizing robotic offline simulation software, editing ladder logic, and referencing digital mechanical designs within SolidWorks/CAD.
• Expert-level capability diagnosing multi-variant automated system faults across robotic, electrical, fluid power, and mechanical safety domains.
• Practical background setting up, troubleshooting, and programming dedicated vision hardware, lighting arrays, and industrial cameras.
• Full availability to travel 30% to 40% of the year globally to handle customer startups and face-to-face system handoffs.
• Proximity to the facility, with the requirement to reside within a dependable 45-minute daily driving radius of the Brown Deer, WI area shop when not traveling.