Lead Automation & Robotics Engineer – Custom Integration & R&D

Impact Solutions•Waukesha, WI

1d•$0 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

Escape the monotony of high-volume manufacturing lines and elevate your automation career with a premier, certified custom systems integrator. Our client doesn't do cookie-cutter projects; they engineer custom, first-of-their-kind automated systems and robotic workcells for an incredibly diverse global customer base. Operating out of a highly creative, tech-driven facility where engineering and production live under one roof, this organization offers significant R&D budgets, high-stakes technical ownership, and an employee-centric culture that actively protects your work-life balance. If you are an elite robotics engineer who feels stifled by rigid corporate structures or repetitive plant maintenance, this direct-hire tracking position is the perfect creative outlet. Here, you get the unique professional satisfaction of taking a project from an initial blank-screen 3D simulation, writing the logic, and then walking down to the shop floor to watch your digital code drive heavy, physical machinery. The company structure rejects the faceless corporate grind, treating engineers as vital technical partners. With an unyielding local backlog of custom automation contracts spanning the aerospace, medical, and consumer goods sectors, this firm provides bulletproof long-term stability. Backed by a family-first leadership team that pairs competitive base salaries with lucrative bonus structures and comprehensive benefits, this is the ultimate destination to anchor your engineering legacy.

Requirements

A minimum of 5 years of verifiable experience programming, commissioning, and configuring ABB robotic systems within complex, custom automation or contract integration settings.
Proved capability utilizing ABB RobotStudio to build virtual workcells, perform reachability studies, and write native RAPID code from a blank sheet.
Competent establishing handshakes and data mapping between robotic controllers and Allen-Bradley programmable logic controllers.
Heavy technical familiarity with servo drive systems, industrial vision networks (Cognex, Keyence), line scanners, and RIA/ISO machine safety standards.
Complete willingness and valid credentials (Passport) to travel up to 30% internationally and domestically for client production startups.
A reliable, progressive professional history showcasing consecutive multi-year tenures; frequent job-hopping or short-term contract jumping is a disqualifier.
A Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering is highly preferred, though equivalent master-level field integration experience will be fully considered.

Nice To Haves

2+ years of robust proficiency interfacing robotic cells with mainstream PLC platforms, specifically Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000 / RSLogix) networks

Responsibilities

Developing, simulating, and optimizing complex, multi-axis robotic programs from scratch utilizing ABB RobotStudio and RAPID code architectures.
Managing automation projects from initial concept and virtual simulation through physical shop-floor testing, debugging, and final field commissioning.
Configuring initial robot setups, establishing spatial coordinate systems, mapping payload profiles, and integrating fieldbus communications (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET) with PLC networks.
Serving as the frontline technical subject matter expert to diagnose and resolve intricate robotic logic, complex motion control faults, and communication errors.
Partnering with mechanical and controls engineers to design custom End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT), vision guidance profiles, and stringent machine safety parameters.
Traveling up to 30% annually to client facilities across North America and international sites to lead physical cell installation, customer handoffs, and operator training.
Generating and maintaining meticulous system documentation, functional program architectures, wiring schematics, and client-facing technical manuals.