SR Industrial Robotics Engineer

Universal Logistics Holdings•Warren, MI

20h

About The Position

The Industrial Robotics Engineer will be based in Warren, Michigan, and will develop, engineer, and launch industrial and collaborative robotic automation across Universal Logistics operations and customer facilities. The role covers applications such as material handling, sequencing, kitting, palletizing, depalletizing, machine tending, packaging, and other automation solutions intended to improve safety, quality, productivity, ergonomics, and process consistency. This is a hands-on manufacturing and automation engineering role with project ownership responsibilities. The engineer will work with robotic cells, end-of-arm tooling, machine vision, controls, safety systems, equipment suppliers, customers, and cross-functional teams. Projects span concept development and process design through equipment build, commissioning, production ramp-up, and handoff to operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechatronics, Robotics Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.
At least 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.

Nice To Haves

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 environments.

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 select appropriate automation solutions.
Define technical requirements, RFQs, and Statements of Work for robotic cells, including robot selection, end-of-arm tooling, fixtures, machine vision, sensors, guarding and safety devices, controls, conveyance, and 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.