Robotics Engineering Lead

HireVenture; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

HireVenture seeks a hands-on Robotics Engineering Lead to automate manufacturing processes from concept to production. You will design, program, integrate, test, and commission robotic systems with a focus on cobots, AMRs, machine vision, and sensors within a live plant environment.

The role emphasizes technical leadership and full project ownership, mentoring engineers and technicians while remaining actively involved in engineering execution and cross-functional communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of industrial automation or robotics experience.
• Hands-on experience programming and integrating collaborative robots.

Responsibilities

• Identify automation opportunities in manufacturing.
• Design, program, integrate, and commission cobot systems.
• Lead projects and mentor engineers and technicians.

Skills

Cobot programming

Robotics

System integration

Project leadership

Automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

RoboDK

RobotStudio

ROS/ROS 2

Job description

Location:
Santa Rosa, CaliforniaEmployment Type:
Full-TimeIndustry:
Semiconductor / Advanced ManufacturingExperience:
3+ years of industrial automation or robotics experienceEducation:
Bachelor’s degree or higher requiredTravel:
NoneRelocation Assistance:
AvailableVisa Sponsorship:
Not availableBenefits:
Full benefits package

Our client is seeking a hands-onRobotics Engineering Leadto lead the automation of manufacturing processes from initial concept through successful production deployment.This individual will identify manufacturing operations that are strong candidates for automation, select the appropriate technologies, and personally design, program, integrate, test, and commission robotic systems.The role will focus heavily oncollaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), machine vision, sensors, end-effectors, and material-handling automationwithin a live manufacturing environment.This is a technical leadership position rather than a traditional people-management role. The successful candidate will establish technical direction, lead projects, mentor engineers and technicians, and remain personally involved in programming, integration, troubleshooting, testing, and commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

Robotics & Automation Engineering

• Identify and prioritize manufacturing processes that are strong candidates for automation.
• Develop the technical and business case for automation initiatives.
• Design, program, integrate, and commission collaborative robotic systems.
• Develop cobot applications involving:
  • Assembly
  • Material handling
  • Machine tending
  • Inspection
  • Testing
  • Pick-and-place applications
• Integrate robotic systems into existing factory equipment and production lines.
• Select and integrate:
  • End-effectors
  • Grippers
  • Sensors
  • Machine vision
  • Force/torque systems
  • Related automation hardware

Deploy and integrate Autonomous Mobile Robots

• Deploy and integrate Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) within manufacturing environments.
• Develop and optimize AMR routes.
• Support fleet coordination and traffic management.
• Integrate AMRs with production workstations and material-handling processes.
• Configure material hand-offs between AMRs and manufacturing equipment.
• Support integration with manufacturing or warehouse systems where applicable.

End-to-End Project Ownership

Own automation projects throughout the complete lifecycle, including:

• Requirements gathering
• Process evaluation
• Concept development
• System design
• Simulation
• Build
• Programming
• Integration
• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
• Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
• Validation
• Commissioning
• Production hand-off

The successful candidate must be comfortableowning a project rather than only supporting one portion of the implementation.

Simulation & Offline Programming

• Use robotic simulation and offline programming tools to validate designs before physical deployment.
• Evaluate:
  • Robot reach
  • Cell layouts
  • Cycle times
  • Collision risks
  • Accessibility
  • Process feasibility
• Optimize system designs prior to installation.
• Utilize tools such as RoboDK, RobotStudio, or similar vendor platforms.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a hands-on technical lead for robotics and factory automation.
• Establish technical standards and best practices.
• Review designs and automation concepts.
• Mentor engineers, technicians, and operators developing robotics capabilities.
• Lead projects while remaining actively involved in engineering execution.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to cross-functional stakeholders.

Vendor & Technology Management

• Evaluate robotics, cobot, AMR, vision, and automation vendors.
• Assess new technologies for manufacturing applications.
• Coordinate pilots and proof-of-concept deployments.
• Determine which technologies should be scaled across manufacturing operations.
• Work effectively with external system integrators and equipment vendors.

Manufacturing Safety

• Partner with appropriate safety stakeholders throughout robotic-system development.
• Conduct and support robotic-system risk assessments.
• Ensure robotic and collaborative applications meet applicable machine-safety requirements before production deployment.
• Apply knowledge of relevant safety standards such as:
  • ISO 10218
  • ISO/TS 15066
  • ISO 12100
  • ISO 13849

Documentation & Training

• Develop technical documentation for robotic deployments.
• Create operating procedures and run books.
• Document system configurations, troubleshooting procedures, and maintenance requirements.
• Train production teams on the safe and effective operation of automation systems.
• Ensure production teams can sustain deployments after engineering hand-off.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in: RoboticsComputer ScienceElectrical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringOr a closely related technical discipline
• 3+ years of industrial automation or robotics experience
• Demonstrated experience deploying automation or robotic systems in alive manufacturing or production environment
• Strong combination ofsoftware and mechanical engineering capabilities
• Hands-on experience programming and integratingcollaborative robots
• Experience integrating:
  • End-effectors
  • Grippers
  • Sensors
  • Machine vision
• Hands-on experience withAMRs and material-handling automation
• Experience deploying and integrating AMRs on a factory floor
• Experience using robotic simulation and offline programming tools
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects while remaining personally hands-on
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ROS / ROS 2
• Experience with robot simulation or digital-twin platforms
• Experience with RoboDK, RobotStudio, or comparable tools
• Experience with 2D or 3D machine vision
• Experience with force/torque control
• Pick-and-place automation experience
• AMR fleet-management experience
• Integration experience with manufacturing or warehouse execution systems
• Electronics manufacturing experience
• Semiconductor manufacturing experience
• Precision manufacturing experience
• High-mix / low-volume manufacturing experience
• CAD experience using tools such as: CreoSolidWorksAutoCAD
• Relevant robot/cobot vendor certifications
• Knowledge of robotic and collaborative-machine safety standards

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidate will combine: Hands-on cobot programming + AMR deployment + live manufacturing automation + robotics simulation + mechanical/software engineering + full project ownership + technical leadership. Our client is specifically looking for someone who haspersonally deployed robotic systems into production, not someone whose experience has been primarily theoretical, research-based, managerial, or limited to traditional PLC automation. This individual should be comfortable moving between a computer, robot cell, production line, engineering team, technician group, and manufacturing floor as needed.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. The company reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Equal Employment Opportunity: HireVenture is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Copyright: This job description is copyrighted by HireVenture. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this material is strictly prohibited without the written consent of HireVenture.

Note: The information provided in this job description is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the latest version of the job description available on our website for the most up-to-date information.

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