Robotics Engineer

HSM (Hickory Springs Manufacturing) Company; Hickory, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellness benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

On-site medical clinics

Teladoc access

Tuition reimbursement & professional发展

Employee discounts

Job summary

Hickory Springs Manufacturing (HSM) is seeking a skilled robotics engineer to design, program, and optimize automated systems for welding, handling, and inspection. You will integrate robots with PLCs, HMIs, and vision systems, and validate performance with offline simulations.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years of hands-on robotics experience in manufacturing, strong troubleshooting, and the ability to read schematics and control documentation. A collaborative, safety-focused mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Three to five years of hands-on experience programming, integrating, commissioning, or supporting industrial robotics in a manufacturing environment.
• Programming experience with at least one major robotic platform; FANUC or Yaskawa preferred, ABB or Universal Robots a plus.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, I/O, industrial networks, and controls integration, preferably Rockwell or Siemens.
• Ability to interpret schematics, drawings, specifications, CAD layouts, control logic, and equipment documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across mechanical, electrical, controls, programming, tooling, and process issues.
• Knowledge of industrial robot safety, risk assessments, lockout/tagout, and safe commissioning practices.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and optimize industrial robot applications for welding, material handling, machine tending, assembly, and inspection.
• Configure coordinate systems, frames, payloads, paths, speeds, collision zones, and end-of-arm tooling.
• Integrate robots with sensors, vision systems, fixtures, conveyors, tooling, and other production equipment.
• Use offline programming and simulation tools to evaluate reach, payload, collision risks, cycle times, and robotic cell concepts.
• Connect robots with PLCs, HMIs, drives, networks, and safety systems; develop robot-to-PLC handshakes and alarms.
• Commission new and modified robotic cells, including calibration, debugging, testing, and acceptance.
• Interpret schematics and control drawings to support equipment integration.
• Troubleshoot downtime and improve OEE, cycle time, and quality.

Skills

Robotics programming

Industrial robotics integration

Commissioning & testing

PLCs & HMIs

Schematic interpretation

Troubleshooting

Safety knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Automation Engineering

Tools

FANUC

Yaskawa

ABB

Universal Robots

Job description

Hickory Metal Plant
Hickory, NC 28602, USA

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

What You Will Do

• Design, Program, and Optimize Robotic Systems
  
  
  
  • Develop, program, test, and optimize industrial robot applications for welding, material handling, machine tending, assembly, and inspection.
  
  
  • Configure coordinate systems, frames, payloads, paths, speeds, collision zones, and end-of-arm tooling.
  
  
  • Integrate robots with sensors, vision systems, fixtures, conveyors, tooling, and other production equipment.
  
  
  • Use offline programming and simulation tools to evaluate reach, payload, collision risks, cycle times, and robotic cell concepts.
  
  
  
  


• Integrate Controls and Launch Equipment
  
  
  
  
  • Connect robots with PLCs, HMIs, drives, industrial networks, and safety systems using technologies such as Rockwell, Siemens, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and OPC UA.
  
  
  • Develop and refine robot-to-PLC handshakes, operating sequences, alarms, fault-recovery processes, and HMI functions.
  
  
  • Commission new and modified robotic cells, including calibration, debugging, cycle-time verification, validation, and acceptance testing.
  
  
  • Interpret electrical and mechanical schematics, I/O drawings, control logic, and cell layouts to support successful equipment integration.
  
  
  
  


• Solve Problems and Improve Performance
  
  
  
  
  • Troubleshoot complex robotic, controls, communications, motion, tooling, and process issues to restore production safely and efficiently.
    Analyze downtime, OEE, cycle time, scrap, and quality data to improve reliability, repeatability, and overall performance.
  
  
  • Partner with Maintenance and Operations to eliminate recurring failures, identify critical spare parts, and improve standard work.
  
  
  • Maintain program backups, version control, change records, preventive-maintenance requirements, and technical documentation.
  
  
  
  


• Lead Through Collaboration
  
  
  
  
  • Support automation projects from requirements development and equipment selection through installation, launch, and production handoff.
  
  
  • Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, equipment integrators, and suppliers.
  
  
  • Participate in design reviews, equipment risk assessments, factory and site acceptance testing, and production-readiness reviews.
  
  
  • Create operating instructions, troubleshooting guides, validation records, and training materials.
  
  
  • Train operators, technicians, and other employees on the safe and effective use of robotic systems.
  
  
  
  

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.


• Three to five years of hands‑on experience programming, integrating, commissioning, or supporting industrial robotics in a manufacturing environment.


• Programming experience with at least one major robotic platform; FANUC or Yaskawa experience is preferred, while ABB or Universal Robots experience is a plus.


• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, I/O, industrial networks, and controls integration, preferably involving Rockwell or Siemens platforms.


• Ability to interpret schematics, drawings, specifications, CAD layouts, control logic, and equipment documentation.


• Strong troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis skills across mechanical, electrical, controls, programming, tooling, and process‑related issues.


• Knowledge of industrial robot safety, machinery risk assessments, lockout/tagout, and safe commissioning practices.


• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Experience That Will Help You Stand Out

• Experience within automotive, commercial‑vehicle, heavy‑equipment, or transportation manufacturing.


• Hands‑on experience with robotic welding, material handling, machine tending, assembly, or inspection.


• Familiarity with end‑of‑arm tooling, servos, conveyors, weld interfaces, safety devices, and integrated 2D or 3D machine vision.


• Experience using simulation platforms such as FANUC ROBOGUIDE, Yaskawa MotoSim, ABB RobotStudio, or RoboDK.


• Working proficiency with ladder logic, Structured Text, Python, C/C++, or comparable automation programming tools.


• Experience in an ISO 9001 environment, with exposure to IATF 16949 or VDA 6.3 requirements.

Why Join Us?

Health & Wellness : Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcare option for qualified participants.

Retire: 401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.

Paid Time Off : Competitive PTO: 3 Weeks of Vacation + company paid holidays.

On-Site Medical Clinics : Free for you and covered dependents.

Teladoc : 24/7 access with no copay.

Professional Development : Tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance and career growth opportunities.

Discounts : Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless, and more.

EEOC

At HSM, we believe that our diversity creates a productive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectionate or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.