Paint Automation Specialist/ Robot Programmer

Sapience Automation Llc•Charleston, SC

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Sapience Automation, a reputable provider of turnkey solutions for industrial automation, specializes in serving diverse industries such as automotive, medical, aviation, building products, general industrial, domestic appliances, and food. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Sapience is committed to fostering long-term customer relationships by consistently delivering excellence through its skilled workforce, standardized processes, and passion for innovation. The company values transparency, continuous learning, and a strong sense of responsibility and accountability. With a successful track record of executing numerous global projects, Sapience attributes its achievements to its exceptional team, adherence to industry standards, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Competitive compensation packages are offered to qualified candidates. As an Industrial Paint Automation Specialist at Sapience, you will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and commissioning robotic paint systems with a strong focus on process performance, finish quality, and efficiency. This role blends robot programming, paint process engineering, and system integration to deliver high-performance automated finishing solutions.

Requirements

Experience with industrial robot programming (FANUC preferred, especially paint platforms)
Hands-on experience with automated paint or coating systems
Strong understanding of: Spray application fundamentals, Fluid delivery systems, Coating quality requirements
Familiarity with PLC-controlled systems and industrial automation environments
Ability to troubleshoot both robot motion and process-related issues

Nice To Haves

Experience with FANUC PaintTool or equivalent platforms (ABB, etc.)
Knowledge of: Electrostatic spray systems, Bell and rotary atomizers
Experience conducting: Spray trials, Transfer efficiency studies
Familiarity with vision systems for paint applications (optional but valuable)
Strong process mindset (not just programming)
Detail-oriented with a focus on finish quality
Ability to balance speed vs quality vs material usage
Comfortable working hands-on in production environments
Effective communicator with both customers and internal teams

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize robot programs specifically for spray painting and coating applications
Program paint paths including: Gun orientation and distance control, Overlap strategies and pattern control, Edge coverage and complex geometry handling
Configure and tune: Atomization parameters, Flow rates and pressure settings, Electrostatic settings (if applicable)
Optimize for: Transfer efficiency, Film build consistency, Cycle time vs quality balance
Develop and validate paint processes including: Spray patterns and coverage strategies, Coating thickness targets, Multi-pass and multi-layer applications
Conduct spray trials and document results
Troubleshoot defects such as: Runs, sags, dry spray, orange peel, poor adhesion
Define and document process recipes and standards
Integrate robots with: Paint delivery systems (pumps, regulators, color change systems), PLCs and HMIs, Safety systems and interlocks
Work closely with Controls Engineers to: Map I/O and process signals, Implement recipe management, Enable operator adjustments via HMI
Utilize robot simulation tools to: Validate reach and coverage, Optimize robot placement and cycle time
Collaborate with mechanical engineering on: EOAT (spray guns, bell applicators, brackets), Fixture and part presentation design
Validate accessibility for maintenance and cleaning
Lead and execute: Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Spray trials and validation runs
Commission systems on-site including: Final process tuning, Debugging and optimization
Serve as technical lead for paint process performance at customer sites
Develop: Paint process setup sheets, Spray parameter documentation, Robot program standards for paint applications
Support internal standardization efforts for: Paint programming methods, Process validation procedures
Train customers on: Robot operation for paint systems, Process adjustments and troubleshooting
Provide guidance on: Maintenance of paint equipment, Best practices for consistent coating quality