Freelance Robotics Software Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin

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 Walsworth's 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 (crawl-walk-run 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 automation-owning 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 opportunities-leveraging 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.
Bachelor's 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.