Manager - Process Engineering & Robot Programming

Sapience Automation; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sapience Automation, a robotics and automation systems integrator based in Charleston, SC, seeks a Manager to lead Process Engineering and Robot Programming. You will oversee a team of engineers, develop robot programs, validate cycle times, and drive system design with 3D CAD tools and vision integration.

The role combines technical leadership with hands-on programming, FAT and on-site deployment, and customer training to deliver high-performance automation solutions for manufacturers across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field or equivalent industry experience.
• Prior experience in a Senior robot programming role
• Experience with robot simulation software
• Understanding of 3D CAD tools.
• Familiarity with PLCs and control systems.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Create and optimize robot programs for material handling, assembly, painting, packaging, and other tasks.
• Use robot simulation software to develop and thoroughly test these programs before deployment.
• Lead Process Engineering for end-of-arm tools, fixtures, and related machines; develop timelines and action plans.
• Oversee robot programs and project processes; validate cycle times and tooling designs with simulation.
• Validate vision, grippers, spray guns, dispensing equipment and related devices during engineering.
• Ensure program design standards are met on projects.
• Collaborate with Application Engineering and Sales to engineer and propose robot systems.
• Use 3D CAD software and robot simulation tools to design robotic solutions.
• Validate layouts during proposal and engineering phases using simulation.
• Work with mechanical engineers to optimize robot placement and tooling design.
• Program and implement vision systems and inspection tools; integrate with PLCs.
• Conduct FATs and Modular Build phases; develop project-specific plans and timelines.
• Implement and test programs on-site at customer facilities as the main technical contact.
• Develop standard templates to increase group efficiency.
• Develop new processes to create methods or products used at Sapience.
• Provide customer training on system operations and maintenance.

Skills

Robot programming

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Robot simulation software

3D CAD tools

PLC tooling/controls experience

Job description

Job Description: Manager – Process Engineering & Robot Programming

Company Overview

Sapience Automation is based in Charleston, SC and is a robotics and automation systems integrator delivering automation solutions to manufacturers across North America. Recognized as a two-time FANUC Innovative System of the Year finalist (2023 and 2026), a recipient of the Outstanding Growth Award (2024 & 2025), Exemplary Sales Award (2025), and DURR Partner of the Year (2025) Sapience partners with clients in the automotive, aviation, medical, heavy truck, consumer products, food, defense, building materials, and energy industries to deploy high-performance automation systems — from single robot cells to complex, multi-process production lines.

Our application expertise spans robotic assembly, machine tending, material handling, painting, palletizing, sealing & dispensing, inspection, welding, laser marking, and traceability. We complement robot integration with custom machine and conveyor design, advanced end-of-arm tooling and vision systems. Sapience is committed to earning customers for life through skilled people, disciplined execution, and solutions that are superior in design, performance, ease of use, and support.

Sapience is an independent operating company within PPC Partners, an employee-owned business with over 3000 employees, so we offer a combination of small company flexibility with the infrastructure and investment support of a large organization. Charleston, South Carolina is a 12‑time recipient of the “Best City in the US” by Travel + Leisure.

Responsibilities

This role combines being the technical lead for robot programming and process engineering activities with overseeing all robot programming and process engineering functions in the organization and reports to the Manager of Controls, Electrical, and Process Engineering. The process engineering element refers to the applications associated with robot programming such as vision, gripping, assembly, coating, and measurement. The current team consists of 6 engineers and is projected to grow to 10+ engineers in the next two years. You will oversee all technical and planning aspects of the group. Responsibilities of the group include:

Sapience is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Robot Program Development:
  • Create and optimize robot programs for material handling, assembly, painting, packaging, and other tasks.
  • Utilize robot simulation software to develop and thoroughly test these programs before deployment.
• Project Process Engineering Lead:
  • Work collaboratively with the engineering team for the overall design of the system including end of arm tools, fixtures, and related machines.
  • Develop and manage a timeline and action plan for developing the robot programs and process for the project
  • Utilize robot simulation software to validate cycle times, system design, and tooling designs.
  • Perform validation of vision, grippers, spray guns, dispensing equipment and other associated devices during the engineering phase of the project.
  • Ensure that all program design standards are met on the project.
• System Design and Proposal Engineering:
  • Collaborate with the Application Engineering and Sales teams to engineer and propose robot systems.
  • Use 3D CAD software and robot simulation tools to design efficient and effective robotic solutions.
• Layout Validation and Optimization:
  • Validate robot system layouts during proposal and engineering phases using simulation software.
  • Work closely with mechanical engineers to optimize robot placement and tooling design.
• Vision Systems and Integration:
  • Program and implement vision systems and inspection tools associated with robots.
  • Collaborate with Controls Engineers to integrate robots with PLCs and other control devices.
• Testing and Deployment:
  • Conduct Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Modular Build phases at Sapience’s facility.
  • Develop project-specific plans and timelines for robot program development and testing.
  • Implement and test programs on-site at customer facilities, serving as the main technical contact.
• Standard Processes:
  • Develop standard processes and templates to increase the efficiency of the group
• New Process Development:
  • Work on selective development processes to create new methods or products to be used at Sapience
• Customer Training:
  • Provide training to customers on system operations and maintenance.

Qualifications

In this role, you’ll need a combination of technical skills, leadership, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field or equivalent industry experience.
• Prior experience in a Senior robot programming role
• Experience with robot simulation software
• Understanding of 3D CAD tools.
• Familiarity with PLCs and control systems.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively.

Sapience Automation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.