Robotics and Automation Engineer (59760)

ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION ENGINEER

Department: Supply Chain & Engineering

Location: Based in Ripon WI; St. Joseph MI; or Marceline MO. The successful candidate may office out of any of these locations as their primary base and will be expected to travel regularly to other Walsworth manufacturing locations.

SUMMARY:

Walsworth is advancing robotics and smart automation across our manufacturing network. We are seeking a Robotics & Automation Engineer to serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for identifying evaluating deploying and sustaining robotics and industrial automation solutions that improve safety quality and productivity across our operations.

This role supports the Robotics Strategic Initiative by owning hands-on execution of early pilots standardizing what works and scaling proven solutions across sites in partnership with Operations Maintenance IT Safety and external solutions providers/system integrators. Initially a team of one this position blends strategy and execution and serves as Walsworths technical owner to ensure solutions are practical adoptable and sustainable.

This role reports to the leader of Supply Chain & Engineering.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own and continuously improve the Robotics Strategic Initiative roadmap (crawlwalkrun maturity model) including site assessments requirements business cases and sequencing.

Identify and prioritize automation opportunities using Lean principles ROI safety risk reduction operational readiness and scalability.

Lead deployments from concept through commissioning: layout reviews functional requirements supplier/OEM alignment FAT/SAT participation installation oversight start-up and ramp-up support.

Serve as the technical SME for robotics and manufacturing automationowning standards system architectures technical direction and best practices for safe reliable deployments.

Program configure integrate and troubleshoot automation and controls systems (PLC/HMI and safety controls robot/AMR setup industrial networking sensors/vision and related software).

Partner with site teams to identify and develop opportunitiesleveraging automation and controls to improve existing processes and implement new solutions.

Be highly visible on the plant floor during installations and ramp-ups; troubleshoot issues perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to reduce downtime and defects.

Coordinate and direct external solutions providers/system integrators and OEMs; support RFQ/RFP development technical reviews proposal evaluation and partner accountability.

Standardize equipment controls architectures documentation spare parts and support models to enable repeatable multi-site deployments.

Develop and maintain project documentation (drawings I/O lists risk assessments SOPs PM plans training materials and as-built documentation).

Ensure systems meet safety and compliance requirements (machine guarding risk assessments LOTO procedures and applicable OSHA/ANSI/ISO standards).

Coach and train operators maintenance technicians and supervisors; translate complex automation into practical operator-friendly work instructions and build adoption.

Establish preventative and routine maintenance plans for new automation; partner with OEMs for service/support agreements as needed and improve reliability metrics.

Track and communicate results (labor efficiency OEE/uptime safety risk reduction and quality improvements) and drive continuous improvement of deployed systems.

Monitor emerging automation/robotics technologies and recommend disciplined pilots or upgrades aligned with strategic needs and ROI targets.

Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechatronics Industrial Engineering Automation/Controls or a related technical field required (or equivalent experience).

5 years of progressive hands-on experience deploying automation/robotics systems in a manufacturing environment preferred; 3 years considered with strong controls/robotics experience.

Strong working knowledge of industrial controls and automation (PLC/HMI sensors pneumatics VFDs/servos and industrial networking such as EtherNet/IP or Profinet).

Experience integrating and/or programming industrial robots and cobots and/or AMRs/AGVs; vision integration a plus.

Ability to interpret electrical schematics mechanical drawings and layouts; comfortable working safely on the plant floor during installation and start-up.

Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills; ability to diagnose mechanical electrical controls and software issues and drive them to resolution.

Project leadership and communication skills: able to coordinate cross-functional teams solutions providers/suppliers and timelines while maintaining clear documentation.

Demonstrated ability to influence and enable non-engineering plant teams through coaching training and practical problem solving.

Lean/continuous improvement mindset with bias for action in a dynamic fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

Frequent travel to company locations and occasional travel to suppliers/integrators required.