Senior Robotic Automation Engineer — Mechanical & Controls

Sapience Automation; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

On-site role in Charleston

Job summary

Sapience Automation is seeking a Senior Robotic Automation Mechanical Applications Engineer to bridge mechanical design, robot programming, and controls system architecture for customer-facing proposals. The role collaborates with Sales, Mechanical Design, Process/Robotics, and Controls teams to translate requirements into feasible, budget-conscious automation solutions.

Occasional travel and an onsite Charleston, SC work location are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent hands-on industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years of robotics/automation or industrial machine design experience.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Familiarity with robot programming/simulation software (FANUC RoboGuide or similar).
• General understanding of PLC-based controls and pneumatic systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual layouts for machines, EOAT, fixtures, balancing functionality, manufacturability and cost.
• Create and review mechanical drawings for quoting, feasibility studies, and proposals.
• Evaluate payloads, reach, and structural feasibility for proposed equipment.
• Collaborate with fabrication vendors to scope manufacturing requirements and validate DFM decisions.
• Support prototype testing and iterate designs based on feedback.
• Design robot programs and simulate layouts to optimize systems.
• Coordinate with controls engineers on panel layout, I/O, safety and integration.
• Prepare technical content for proposals and participate in reviews.
• Create project timelines and hours estimates for quoting and hand-off.

Skills

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Strong communication

Reading drawings

Problem solving

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering / Mechatronics / Robotics / Electrical Engineering or related field

Minimum 5 years experience in robotics, automation or industrial machine design

Tools

SolidWorks

FANUC RoboGuide

AutoCAD Electrical

E-Plan

Job description

Sapience Automation is seeking a Senior Robotic Automation Mechanical Applications Engineer to bridge mechanical design, robot programming, and controls system architecture for customer-facing proposals. The role collaborates with Sales, Mechanical Design, Process/Robotics, and Controls teams to translate requirements into feasible, budget-conscious automation solutions.

Occasional travel and an onsite Charleston, SC work location are expected.