Robotics & Automation Specialist

Fortifi Food Processing Solutions; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortifi Food Processing Solutions seeks a Robotics and Automation Specialist to support field service, new product development, and service organization growth. This role directly impacts future success.

You will install, commission, test, troubleshoot, and maintain robotic systems, contribute to new product development, and help shape the service organization, with significant travel. Qualifications include an associate degree, 5 years of field robotics/PLC experience, FANUC programming, and

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical certification in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, Automation, or related field.
• 5 years of experience working with robotic and PLC systems in a field service or field engineer role.
• Experience with robot teach pendant programming and PLC troubleshooting.
• Exposure to manufacturing or processing environments.
• Excellent English language communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, and provide field support for robotics and automation systems.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair mechanical, electrical, and software issues in robots, PLCs, and related equipment.
• Program, modify, and debug robot, PLC, and other programs using FANUC, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, and similar platforms.
• Monitor systems, perform preventive maintenance, and support continuous improvement.
• Travel up to 80% for field support, startup, and troubleshooting.
• Document installations, service actions, and changes for traceability.

Skills

Robotics troubleshooting

Industrial automation

English communication

On-site field work

Team collaboration

Troubleshooting mindset

Education

Associate degree or technical certification in Robotics or Automation

Tools

FANUC

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

B&R Automation

Job description

The Robotics and Automation Specialist will contribute in three significant ways: field service, new product development, and service organization development. This is a key role in the growth of the organization and will have direct impact on the future success of the business.

The role is responsible for supporting the installation, commissioning, and testing and ongoing troubleshooting and maintenance of robotic and automation systems and products, will contribute substantially to the design, development, testing, and support of new robotic and automation products and systems, and assist in defining and establishing the service organization focused on supporting robotic and automation products and systems.

Key Responsibilities

Installation, Commissioning & Field Support

• Supervise and participate in system installation, integration, startup, commissioning, FAT, and SAT activities
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair mechanical, electrical, and software issues in robots, PLCs, and related automation equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance, calibration, and system health checks to ensure reliable system operation and minimize downtime
• Provide life-cycle support at customer sites through continuous improvement initiatives, retrofits and upgrades, and ongoing testing and data collection
• Train supervisors, operators, and maintenance personnel on proper system use, basic troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance

System Support & Troubleshooting

• Monitor deployed systems and respond to production issues, implementing corrective actions and improvements
• Diagnose and resolve issues with industrial robots, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and peripheral equipment both on site and remotely independently, in coordination with engineers, and with customer personnel
• Perform root-cause analysis on downtime events and implement corrective actions
• Support production teams by restoring robotic systems to operational status quickly
• Interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control logic to troubleshoot systems

Robotics Programming & Controls Support

• Assist in the design and development of programs, controls, and equipment during the design, build, and testing of new systems.
• Program, modify, and debug robot, PLC, and other programs (e.g., FANUC, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, B&R industrial Automation) using teach pendants, offline programming tools, and development environments
• Support PLC and HMI troubleshooting and minor logic modifications
• Configure robot I/O, user frames, tool frames, and coordinate systems

Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

• Test, validate, and optimize robotic system performance, including cycle time, accuracy, and throughput
• Support system upgrades, modifications, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance and reliability
• Perform preventive maintenance on robotic and automation equipment
• Execute system checks, calibration, and performance verification
• Identify improvement opportunities related to uptime, reliability, and throughput
• Document issues, resolutions, and system changes

Additional Requirements

• Define and establish best practices in remote and onsite support of robotics and automation system
• Collaborate in the design, development, and testing of new products, systems, and applications
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and customer teams to resolve issues and improve system performance
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and protocols when working with robotic and automated systems
• Document installations, maintenance activities, system changes, and troubleshooting actions for traceability and future reference
• Ability to work collaboratively and execute tasks autonomously with transparency and integrity, incorporating multiple sources of input and aligning with consensus direction.
• Team-oriented; able to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)
• Able to troubleshoot, solve problems and quickly recommend solutions.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds
• Able to travel 80% of the time.

The responsibilities are not to be considered exhaustive. Other responsibilities will be applied to the role as needed.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate degree or technical certification in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, Automation, or related field

Experience

• 5 years of experience working with robotic and PLC systems in a field service or field engineer role
• Experience with robot teach pendant programming and PLC troubleshooting
• Exposure to manufacturing or processing environments

Technical Skills

• Read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and control diagrams to support troubleshooting and installation
• Advanced proficiency in industrial robot programming (FANUC preferred)
• Ability to troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLC systems including programs, I/O, and network interfaces
• Understanding of sensors, actuators, pneumatics, and servo systems
• Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings
• Familiarity with industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet)

Soft Skills

• Excellent English language communication (oral, written, and listening) and interpersonal skills.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving ability
• Hands-on, "go to the floor" mindset
• Effective communication with engineering teams, operators, and customers
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments

Work Environment & Requirements

• Ability to work in industrial environments (wet, cold, washdown conditions as applicable)
• Willingness to travel up to 80% for field support, startup, and troubleshooting
• Ability to lift, climb, and work around machinery safely
• Adherence to all safety and operational protocols