Senior Robotics Systems Engineer

Sterling St James LLC; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC seeks an experienced Lead Robotics & Controls Commissioning Engineer to direct internal commissioning, field deployments, and customer site sign-offs for custom automated systems. The role blends shop-floor debugging with global field work in a fast-growing OEM environment.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of hands-on automation commissioning, strong PLC diagnostics (Rockwell/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal), and multi-axis robotics expertise.

Qualifications

• 5+ years field experience commissioning, troubleshooting and integrating custom automated machinery and robotics.
• Strong PLC diagnostics and I/O tracing capabilities, with basic logic modifications in Rockwell/Studio 5000 and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Ability to read and trace complex electrical layouts, mechanical drawings, and fluid power schematics.
• Willingness to travel 50% to 80% to customer sites across North America and select international destinations.
• Residence within daily commuting distance of Greater Milwaukee; valid driver’s license; US citizen or Green Card holder.

Responsibilities

• Direct internal commissioning, live-wire debug, and I/O validation of custom systems before shop release.
• Calibrate multi-axis robotic platforms, perform electrical/mechanical calibration, and configure networks; check EOAT.
• Conduct high-level diagnostics across PLCs, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatics, and safety interlocks.
• Lead onsite deployments, manage run-offs at client facilities, and train customer engineering staff.

Skills

Field experience

Robotics calibration

PLC diagnostics

Troubleshooting

Electrical print literacy

Education

Electrical/Mechanical/Robotics Engineering degree

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

Job description

Lead Robotics & Controls Commissioning Engineer

$49.00 – $59.00 / Hour Base + Overtime Potential Greater Milwaukee Area, WI First Shift Full Corporate Benefits

• COMPENSATION: $49.00 – $59.00/hour starting base rate (commensurate with robotics and controls depth) + overtime earning potential + premium corporate benefits package.
• WORK SCHEDULE: First Shift | Blended hybrid model balancing internal shop floor debug at the local facility with field deployments.
• TRAVEL STRUCTURE: 50% to 80% field travel (predominantly domestic client sites with occasional international commissioning deployments).
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: High-growth, family-owned OEM pioneer with nearly a century of continuous manufacturing excellence; fast-paced, high-trust setting building custom automated assembly, high-speed handling, and robotic cells for Tier-1 global clients with zero corporate bureaucracy.
• CAREER DEPTH & TECH STACK: 5 to 8+ years of hands-on custom automation commissioning; practical PLC logic troubleshooting/programming (Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal); multi-axis industrial robotics calibration; servo controls; pneumatic architecture; electrical print fluency.
• REQUIREMENTS / COMPLIANCE: Associate (A.S.) or Bachelor’s (B.S.) Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Robotics Engineering preferred (equivalent hands-on experience fully valued); US Citizen or Green Card holder; valid driver’s license and passport readiness; daily commuting access to the Greater Milwaukee area.

If you are an elite field controls or commissioning specialist seeking an organization where your diagnostic intelligence directly drives multi-million dollar capital equipment projects, this fast-growing OEM is your ideal professional home. Backed by nearly a century of continuous manufacturing excellence, this family-owned pioneer combines the high-trust, collaborative feel of a close-knit team with the market power and financial stability of a global leader.

Specializing in custom automated assembly, high-speed material handling, and robotic welding cells for Tier-1 global clients, this firm operates free of rigid corporate bureaucracy. You will own complex automated machinery through its full operational birth—from preliminary plant debug and electrical/mechanical calibration at the Milwaukee-area facility to final customer site run-off and sign-off around the globe.

What You Will Be Doing (Core Responsibilities)

• Lead Equipment Readiness: Direct the internal commissioning, live-wire debug, and I/O validation of custom automated systems before shop floor release.
• Robotic & Cell Calibration: Validate advanced multi-axis robotic platforms from scratch, executing initial electrical/mechanical calibrations, communication network setups, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) checks.
• Hands-On Diagnostics: Perform real-time, high-level troubleshooting across complex PLC logic architectures, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatic circuits, and safety interlocks.
• Customer Field Deployments: Lead onsite equipment installations, managing technical run-offs at global client facilities while training customer engineering and maintenance personnel.
• Cross-Functional Interface: Partner directly with mechanical design engineers, project managers, and shop floor build teams to rapidly isolate hardware, software, or mechanical bugs.
• Project Administrative Discipline: Track daily operational testing hours, manage active engineering open-issue lists, and submit detailed field progress logs to project stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• 5+ Years Field Proven Experience: Verifiable track record in commissioning, troubleshooting, and integrating custom industrial automated machinery and multi-axis robotics.
• PLC & Controls Diagnostics: Strong diagnostic capabilities in PLC logic troubleshooting, I/O tracing, and basic logic modifications (e.g., Rockwell/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Schematic & Print Literacy: Ability to confidently read, interpret, and trace complex electrical layouts, mechanical assembly drawings, and fluid power schematics on the fly.
• Travel Flexibility & Readiness: Complete willingness and ability to travel 50% to 80% to customer production sites across North America and select international destinations.
• Location & Authorization: Must reside within daily commuting distance of the Greater Milwaukee area, hold a valid driver’s license, and be a US Citizen or Green Card holder with valid passport eligibility.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Multi-Brand Robotics Integration: Advanced path teaching, payload configuration, and communication setup for FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa robotic arms.
• Industrial Vision Systems: Practical setup and calibration experience with Cognex, Keyence, or integrated 2D/3D vision platforms.
• Degree Credentials: Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or Automation Technology.