SR Industrial Robotics Engineer

hrone; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Logistics in Warren, MI seeks an Industrial Robotics Engineer to design, implement, and optimize robotic automation across operations and client sites. The role involves hands-on development of robot cells, tooling, machine vision, and safety systems to improve safety, quality, and throughput.

You will lead projects from concept through commissioning, collaborating with Operations, Controls, IT, Safety, and Maintenance teams, and travel as needed for installations and startup support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field as listed.
• 2+ years in manufacturing engineering, automation, or robotics in a warehousing/logistics setting.
• Experience with industrial/collaborative robots, end-of-arm tooling, and machine vision.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, schematics, layouts, and specs.
• Experience with cycle-time analysis and project coordination.
• Ability to manage suppliers, schedules, and launch issues.
• Willingness to travel and support non-standard hours when deploying automation.

Responsibilities

• Develop robotic concepts and manufacturing processes for industrial and collaborative systems.
• Conduct feasibility, cycle-time, capacity, layout, ergonomic, and process studies to choose solutions.
• Define requirements, RFQs, and SOWs for robotic cells incl. robot selection and tooling.
• Coordinate automation projects with system integrators and suppliers through ramp-up.
• Lead design reviews, FMEA, risk assessments, and site-readiness planning.
• Support robot/cobot programming, PLC/HMI integration, machine vision, sensors, and tooling.
• Troubleshoot equipment and validate safety, quality, and production readiness.
• Develop acceptance criteria, standards, training, and maintenance requirements.
• Handoff projects to Operations and standardize automation designs for future use.

Skills

Robotics integration

PLC/Controls

Machine vision

Sensing technologies

System coordination

Reading mechanical drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechatronics, Robotics Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Robot simulation

Virtual commissioning

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 Industrial Robotics Engineer will be based in Warren, MI and will develop, engineer, and launch industrial and collaborative robotic automation across Universal Logistics operations and customer facilities. This role focuses on robotic applications including material handling, sequencing, kitting, palletizing, depalletizing, machine tending, packaging, and other automation solutions designed to improve safety, quality, productivity, ergonomics, and process consistency. The Industrial Robotics Engineer will serve as a hands-on manufacturing and automation engineer and project owner. This position will work with robotic cells, end-of-arm tooling, machine vision, controls, safety systems, equipment suppliers, customers, and cross-functional teams to take projects from concept and process development through build, commissioning, production ramp-up, and final handoff to operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop industrial and collaborative robotic concepts and manufacturing processes.
• Conduct feasibility, cycle-time, capacity, layout, ergonomic, process-flow, and technical trade-off studies to determine the appropriate automation solution.
• Define technical requirements, RFQs, and Statements of Work (SOWs) for robotic cells, including: Robot selection End-of-arm tooling Fixtures Machine vision Sensors Guarding and safety devices Controls Conveyance Equipment interfaces
• Manage automation projects with system integrators and equipment suppliers from concept and design through build, FAT, installation, SAT, commissioning, and production ramp-up.
• Manage project timing, cost, scope, risks, and technical deliverables.
• Serve as the engineering interface between customers and cross-functional teams, including Operations, Controls, IT, Safety, Quality, Maintenance, and Facilities.
• Lead design reviews, process reviews, FMEA activities, risk assessments, and site-readiness planning.
• Support robot and cobot programming, PLC/HMI integration, machine vision, sensors, and end-of-arm tooling.
• Troubleshoot and debug equipment while validating safety, quality, cycle time, throughput, uptime, process capability, and production readiness.
• Develop acceptance criteria, operating standards, training, spare-parts requirements, preventive-maintenance requirements, and lessons learned.
• Complete formal project handoffs to Operations and help standardize successful automation designs for future applications.

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, controls, or equipment launch within 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 and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, layouts, and technical specifications.
• Experience with cycle-time analysis, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and project coordination.
• Ability to manage suppliers, schedules, technical deliverables, and launch-related issues.
• Willingness to travel and support non-standard hours during critical installation, commissioning, and production launch periods.

Preferred Qualifications

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