Principal Machine Design Engineer - Robotics & Automation

Sterling St James LLC; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 140,405,000 - 169,059,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Corporate benefits

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC seeks a Lead Automation Commissioning & Robotics Field Engineer (OEM) to drive readiness, debugging, and commissioning of custom automated systems from Milwaukee to customer sites worldwide.

You will lead shop-floor calibration, multi-axis robotics setup, and I/O validation, collaborating with engineering and project teams. Expect 5+ years in automation, PLC/controls expertise, and extensive travel (up to 80%).

Qualifications

• 5+ years of field-proven experience commissioning and debugging industrial automation.
• Strong PLC/controls proficiency with Rockwell and Siemens platforms.
• Ability to read electrical prints and schematics fluently.
• Solid project discipline with tracking of issues and test hours.
• Willingness to travel 50–80% to customer sites, domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment readiness, debugging, and I/O validation before shop release.
• Calibrate multi-axis robotics and EOAT, ensuring proper synchronization.
• Perform real-time diagnostics across PLCs, servo drives, vision, and pneumatics.
• Manage on-site installations and formal run-offs at client facilities worldwide.
• Collaborate with design, PMs, and shop teams to isolate issues quickly.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Robotics calibration

Electrical print literacy

Field travel

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Studio 5000

Rockwell

Siemens TIA Portal

Job description

Lead Automation Commissioning & Robotics Field Engineer (OEM)

$49.00 – $59.00 / Hour Base + Overtime Potential Milwaukee, WI Area First Shift Full Corporate Benefits

• CAREER DEPTH: 5 to 8+ years of dedicated hands-on experience integrating, debugging, and commissioning custom industrial robotics and automated manufacturing systems.
• TECHNICAL STACK: Practical PLC logic troubleshooting/programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), multi-axis industrial robotics calibration, servo controls, pneumatic architecture, and electrical print fluency.
• WORK STRUCTURE: Blended hybrid footprint—internal shop floor debug at the local Milwaukee facility paired with 50% to 80% field travel (predominantly domestic travel to customer plants with occasional international field deployments).
• EDUCATION: Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Robotics Engineering preferred (equivalent hands-on industrial automation experience fully valued).

If you are an elite field controls or commissioning specialist seeking an organization where your diagnostic intelligence directly drives multi-million dollar capital equipment projects, this fast-growing OEM is your ideal professional home. Backed by nearly a century of continuous manufacturing excellence, this family-owned pioneer combines the high-trust, collaborative feel of a close-knit team with the market power and financial stability of a global leader.

Specializing in custom automated assembly, high-speed material handling, and robotic welding cells for Tier-1 global clients, this firm operates free of rigid corporate bureaucracy. You will own complex automated machinery through its full operational birth—from preliminary plant debug and electrical/mechanical calibration in Milwaukee to final customer site run-off and sign-off around the globe.

What You Will Be Doing (Core Responsibilities)

• Lead Equipment Readiness: Direct the internal commissioning, live-wire debug, and I/O validation of custom automated systems before shop floor release.
• Robotic & Cell Calibration: Validate advanced multi-axis robotic platforms from scratch, executing initial electrical/mechanical calibrations, communication network setups, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) checks.
• Hands-On Diagnostics: Perform real-time, high-level troubleshooting across complex PLC logic architectures, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatic circuits, and safety interlocks.
• Customer Field Deployments: Lead onsite equipment installations, managing technical run-offs at global client facilities while training customer engineering and maintenance personnel.
• Cross-Functional Interface: Partner directly with mechanical design engineers, project managers, and shop floor build teams to rapidly isolate hardware, software, or mechanical bugs.

What We Are Looking For (Qualifications)

• 5+ Years of Field Proven Experience: Verifiable track record in commissioning, troubleshooting, and integrating industrial automated machinery and multi-axis robotics.
• PLC & Controls Proficiency: Strong diagnostic capabilities in PLC troubleshooting and basic logic modifications (e.g., Studio 5000 / Rockwell, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Schematic & Print Literacy: Ability to confidently read and interpret complex electrical layouts, mechanical assembly drawings, and fluid power schematics.
• Project Discipline: Strong administrative tracking habits—capable of managing open-issue lists, tracking test hours, and submitting detailed field progress logs.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness and capability to travel 50% to 80% to customer production sites across North America and select international destinations.