Robotics Integration Engineer

Sterling St James LLC; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC in Wisconsin seeks a Robotics Automation Engineer to design and build custom automated machinery and robotic cells from concept to commissioning. The role is onsite in Waukesha County, with up to 30% travel and a direct-hire path.

Expect up to $120k base salary plus full health/retirement benefits. You will program ABB robots, simulate with RobotStudio, integrate with PLCs, and lead full-lifecycle deployments for diverse client projects.

Qualifications

• ABB robot programming experience required.
• 2+ years with RAPID and RobotStudio.
• Familiarity with PLCs and motion control.
• US citizen or GC residing within 45‑minute commute of Waukesha County.

Responsibilities

• Write & simulate ABB code and RobotStudio simulations to integrate ABB robots with master PLCs.
• Lead full-lifecycle builds from design to floor integration and debugging.
• Configure hardware, protocols, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT).
• Troubleshoot integration issues on build floor and in the field.
• Lead client onsite deployments with travel up to 30%.
• Generate system documentation and operation manuals.

Skills

ABB Robotics Expertise

RAPID programming

RobotStudio simulations

PLC programming

Motion control & safety

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering / Robotics / Mechatronics

Tools

RobotStudio

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

EtherNet/IP / PROFINET

Job description

Robotics Automation Engineer – Custom Systems Integration

Up to $120k Base + Benefits • Waukesha County, WI Area • Onsite / Up to 30% Travel • Direct-Hire

• COMPENSATION & SCOPE: Up to $120,000 base salary (commensurate with programming depth) + full health/retirement benefits; build unique, custom automated machinery and robotic cells from concept to commissioning.
• ROBOTICS & CONTROLS MASTERY: 5+ years of hands-on ABB robot programming; advanced proficiency in ABB RobotStudio simulation, RAPID coding, and Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLC platforms.
• TRAVEL & DEPLOYMENT: Up to 30% domestic and international travel for onsite commissioning, client acceptance testing, and plant deployment (Valid U.S. Passport required).
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: Onsite in Waukesha County with design engineering and physical machine assembly under one roof; fast-paced systems integrator culture with zero repetitive line work.
• REQUIREMENTS & LOCATION: US Citizen or Green Card holder residing within a 45-minute daily commute of Waukesha County / Greater Milwaukee, WI.

If you are a senior robotics engineer feeling stuck running repetitive cycles at a slow-moving corporate plant, this direct-hire engineering seat is your ticket to true technical autonomy. The employer is a certified, highly respected custom industrial automation systems integrator in Waukesha County with a rock-solid, diversified global client base.

Instead of repetitive production lines, you will design and build custom, leading-edge machinery tailored to complex application requirements. The organization fosters a culture centered on engineering creativity, multi-platform learning, and individual ownership. With design teams and physical assembly floors under one roof, you will get the unique satisfaction of seeing your virtual simulations transform into fully operational systems right down the hall.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Write & Simulate ABB Code: Develop, write, and optimize clean RAPID code and RobotStudio simulations to seamlessly integrate ABB robotic arms with master PLCs and plant-wide automation systems.
• Lead Full-Lifecycle Builds: Drive full-lifecycle custom machine projects—from initial system design and advanced kinematics simulation to floor build and physical debugging.
• Configure Hardware & Protocols: Establish electrical communication setups, fieldbus protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET), and software handshakes for ABB robotic packages and specialized end-of-arm tooling (EOAT).
• Troubleshoot Complex Integration: Isolate and resolve pathing errors, cycle-time bottlenecks, mechanical interferences, and control logic issues on the build floor and in the field.
• Lead Client Onsite Deployments: Travel up to 30% domestically and internationally to lead system installations, site acceptance testing (SAT), and customer engineering sign-offs.
• Generate Technical Documentation: Author comprehensive system logic documentation, sequence-of-operation manuals, and electrical schematic redlines for custom machinery builds.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• ABB Robotics Expertise: 5+ years of verifiable experience programming ABB robots, including at least 2 years focused on RAPID programming and RobotStudio virtual simulation.
• PLC Programming Skill: 2+ years of practical PLC development and ladder logic programming using Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Studio 5000 (or equivalent major industrial controllers).
• Safety & Motion Control Literacy: Solid foundation configuring industrial motion control, vision-guided systems, and safety networks (light curtains, safety relays, SafeMove).
• Education or Trade Balance: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or related discipline (extensive hands‑on systems integration experience fully considered in lieu of degree).
• Global Travel Readiness: Willingness and capability to travel up to 30% worldwide, backed by a valid U.S. Passport (or ability to obtain one immediately).
• Local Commute Radius: Established residency within a comfortable daily 45‑minute driving distance of Waukesha County / Greater Milwaukee.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Vision & EOAT Integration: Direct experience integrating 2D/3D machine vision systems (Cognex, Keyence) or complex servo‑driven end‑effectors.
• Multi‑Robot Platform Exposure: Secondary experience programming FANUC (KAREL/TP), KUKA, or Yaskawa robotic systems.
• Virtual Commissioning & HMI: Familiarity with digital twin software or building custom HMI screens (FactoryTalk View) for machine operators.