Robotics Engineering Manager

Universal Logistics Holdings; Northville (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Logistics Holdings seeks a Robotics Launch Engineer to develop and launch robotic automation across operations and customer facilities. You will work with robot cells, tooling, vision, controls, and safety systems to drive safety, quality, productivity, and process consistency.

From concept through handoff to operations, you will lead cross-functional teams, manage suppliers, and validate performance during commissioning and ramp-up, ensuring a smooth production start.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field as listed.
• 2+ years in manufacturing/automation robotics or launch.
• Experience with PLCs, machine vision, sensors, and safety systems.
• Willingness to travel and cover non-standard hours during launches.

Responsibilities

• Develop robotic automation concepts for manufacturing tasks.
• Define technical requirements for robotic cells and tooling.
• Manage system integrators and suppliers through all launch stages.
• Lead design reviews, risk assessments, and site-readiness planning.
• Support programming and integration of PLCs/HMI and vision.
• Create acceptance criteria, training, maintenance plans, and handoff.

Skills

Robotics integration experience

Project coordination

Travel willingness

Hands-on engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/electrical/robotics engineering

Tools

FANUC

ABB

KUKA

Yaskawa

Universal Robots

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Rockwell HMIs

Job description

Are you looking to join a dynamic team that provides its people with the tools to be successfull and opportunities to grow?
Universal Logistics is a leading provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of services including transportation, value-added, intermodal, and specialized services utilized throughout entire supply chains.
Universal has immediate career opportunities in your area.

Position Description:

The Robotics Launch Engineer will play a key role in developing, industrializing, and launching robotic automation across Universal Logistics operations and customer facilities. This role is focused on industrial and collaborative robot applications that improve safety, quality, productivity, ergonomics, and process consistency in manufacturing and logistics operations.

You will operate as a hands-on manufacturing and automation engineer, working with robot cells, end-of-arm tooling, machine vision, controls, safety systems, equipment suppliers, and cross-functional project teams. You will help take projects from concept and technical definition through build, commissioning, production ramp-up, and handoff to operations.

Responsibilities:

• Develop robotic automation concepts for applications such as pick-and-place, kitting and sequencing, palletizing, depalletizing, machine tending, packaging, and material handling; perform feasibility, cycle-time, capacity, layout, and process studies.
• Define technical requirements and statements of work for robotic cells, including robot selection, end-of-arm tooling, fixtures, machine vision, guarding, safety devices, controls, conveyance, and equipment interfaces.
• Manage system integrators and equipment suppliers from RFQ and design through build, FAT, installation, SAT, commissioning, and production ramp-up; track project timing, cost, deliverables, risks, and open issues.
• Lead design reviews, process reviews, risk assessments, FMEA activities, and site-readiness planning while coordinating Operations, Engineering, Controls, IT, Safety, Quality, Maintenance, Facilities, and customer teams.
• Support robot/cobot programming and integration of PLC/HMI controls, machine vision, and end-of-arm tooling; debug issues during commissioning and validate safety, quality, cycle time, throughput, uptime, and process capability.
• Develop acceptance criteria, operating standards, training, spare-parts and preventive-maintenance requirements, and lessons learned; complete formal handoff to site operations.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, industrial, mechatronics, robotics engineering, engineering technology, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, robotics integration, or equipment launch in a manufacturing, warehousing, or logistics environment.
• Working knowledge of industrial and/or collaborative robots, end-of-arm tooling, PLC/controls, machine vision, sensors, safety systems, and integrated robotic cells.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, layouts, and technical specifications and perform cycle-time analysis, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis.
• Ability to manage suppliers, schedules, technical deliverables, and launch issues, with willingness to travel and support non-standard hours during critical launch periods.

Preferred Requirements:

• Strong self-starter with a manufacturing-engineering mindset and the ability to own projects, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive issues to closure.
• Hands-on experience with industrial robot or cobot platforms such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, or similar systems, including programming or simulation.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs and HMIs, safety PLCs, industrial networking, and integration of robotic equipment with other automation.
• Experience with machine vision, force/torque sensing, grippers, vacuum tooling, fixtures, and other end-of-arm tooling.
• Understanding of industrial and collaborative robot safety requirements, machine guarding, risk assessment, lockout/tagout, and applicable ANSI/RIA and ISO standards.
• Experience with AutoCAD/SolidWorks, robot simulation or virtual commissioning, FAT/SAT, run-at-rate validation, Lean/Six Sigma, or automotive/high-volume manufacturing.