Senior Lead Controls & Robotics Engineer

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc.; Summit (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc. is seeking a hands‑on Senior Lead Controls & Robotics Engineer to lead design and implementation of advanced automation systems in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

You will mentor a team of Controls, Robotics, and Vision Engineers, lead projects from concept to startup, and ensure safety standards such as UL 508A are met. Expect global vendor collaboration and frequent customer interaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years in industrial automation, controls, robotics, or vision systems.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC programming.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead on complex automation and system integration projects.
• Lead and mentor Controls, Robotics, and Vision Engineers while providing technical direction throughout project execution.
• Design and program PLC, HMI, motion control, robotics, and machine vision systems.
• Work with controls platforms including Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, and Beckhoff.
• Develop and integrate robotic applications using FANUC, ABB, KUKA, UR, and Denso.
• Design and implement machine vision applications using Cognex, Keyence, and Matrox Imaging.
• Develop vision‑guided robotic applications for inspection, measurement, verification, barcode/OCR, and 2D/3D vision applications.
• Integrate controls, robotics, vision, sensors, motion systems, and industrial networks into complete automation solutions.
• Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning, debugging, customer acceptance testing, and production startup.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and optimization of automation systems in manufacturing environments.
• Establish engineering standards, reusable code libraries, and documentation practices.
• Review and manage structured BOMs, electrical drawings, and project documentation.
• Manage technical scope, project priorities, schedules, vendors, and engineering changes.
• Ensure systems meet applicable safety and electrical standards, including UL 508A.
• Work directly with customers, vendors, manufacturing teams, and internal engineering groups.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Project Management

Communication

Troubleshooting

Travel willingness

Education

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science

Automation Engineering

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Beckhoff PLC

FANUC Robotics

ABB Robotics

KUKA Robotics

UR Robotics

Denso Robotics

Cognex Vision

Keyence Vision

Matrox Imaging

Job description

Senior Lead Controls & Robotics Engineer

We are seeking a hands‑on Lead Controls & Robotics Engineer to lead the design and implementation of advanced automation systems integrating industrial controls, robotics, machine vision, motion control, and custom automation equipment.

This is an opportunity for a technically strong engineer who enjoys leading complex projects, mentoring other engineers, and remaining hands‑on from system concept and design through commissioning and production startup.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the technical lead on complex automation and system integration projects.
• Lead and mentor Controls, Robotics, and Vision Engineers while providing technical direction throughout project execution.
• Design and program PLC, HMI, motion control, robotics, and machine vision systems.
• Work with controls platforms including Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, and Beckhoff.
• Develop and integrate robotic applications using FANUC, ABB, KUKA, UR, and Denso.
• Design and implement machine vision applications using Cognex, Keyence, and Matrox Imaging.
• Develop vision‑guided robotic applications for inspection, measurement, verification, barcode/OCR, and 2D/3D vision applications.
• Integrate controls, robotics, vision, sensors, motion systems, and industrial networks into complete automation solutions.
• Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning, debugging, customer acceptance testing, and production startup.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and optimization of automation systems in manufacturing environments.
• Establish engineering standards, reusable code libraries, and documentation practices.
• Review and manage structured BOMs, electrical drawings, and project documentation.
• Manage technical scope, project priorities, schedules, vendors, and engineering changes.
• Ensure systems meet applicable safety and electrical standards, including UL 508A requirements.
• Work directly with customers, vendors, manufacturing teams, and internal engineering groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, robotics, machine vision, or systems integration.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC programming required.
• Experience with Siemens and/or Beckhoff is highly desirable.
• Strong background in robotics, machine vision, motion control, sensors, and industrial automation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects independently from concept through commissioning.
• Experience mentoring engineers or providing technical leadership.
• Experience working for an automation integrator, OEM, custom machine builder, or project‑based manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, leadership, and customer‑facing skills.
• Comfortable working in a lean environment and taking ownership of multiple projects.
• Ability to travel approximately 25%.
• $100,000 – $150,000 +
• Bonus Potential
• Opportunity to lead technically challenging automation, robotics, and machine vision projects

Work Authorization