Manager Robotics Automation Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Are you passionate about turning ideas into reality, embracing ownership, and working at the forefront of connectivity? Join viaPhoton and be part of a culture that thrives on fearless innovation, teamwork, and continuous growth, where learning, unlearning, and relearning are part of the journey.

This dynamic role offers significant ownership and responsibility. We’re looking for individuals who excel in environments where their contributions make an impact, are hungry to learn, and are energized by meaningful work that drives company growth while accelerating their career. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, solving next-level problems, and want to help shape the future of innovation, we’d love to hear from you!

Who We Are

We are changing the norm by being customer focused, technology led.

viaPhoton is on an ambitious mission to revolutionize how critical digital infrastructure is manufactured and deployed. Best-in-class data centers and telecom providers need fiber optic solutions delivered in weeks, not months — whether that’s for AI infrastructure, 5G networks, or next-generation broadband. We’re reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. Manufacturing is no longer just an operations challenge, but an automation and speed-to-market problem that customers urgently need solved. In 5 years, we’ve grown to a team of over 200 and added top Hyperscalers to our growing customer base. We’ve only just gotten started — our ambition is to become the market leader of the $40+ billion connectivity industry.

We seek candidates who will be culture contributors and who align with our core values:

- Fearless Innovation we are pioneers unafraid to change the norm in relentless pursuit of better

- Forward Together we believe that when we work together toward a collective goal, we all succeed

- Integrity Over Everything we believe in long term relationships and doing what is right, always

- Nimble, Always we are solutions obsessed, move fast, and stay nimble

- Be the Bar we set our own standard of excellence and hold ourselves to it

What You Will Do

This is a mid-level engineering role for cross disciplined engineers with proficiency most strong in mechanical design engineering.

• You’ll work closely with other engineers and cross-functional teams to design or optimize automation systems, machine vision, and advanced manufacturing techniques.

• Develop one-of-a-kind automation machines for the fiber optic industry utilizing machine vision, precision motion control, and creative design.

• Design parts in SolidWorks, prototype physical parts, and troubleshoot machines in development and on the production floor

• Develop expertise in specific aspects of fiber optic manufacturing and improve processes through automation

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Motion Controls, or a related field

• 3–5 years of experience delivering complex mechanical or automation solutions, from concept to deployment

• Demonstrated ability to design, fabricate, and deploy new automation machines and processes that meaningfully improve factory output and quality, including full CAD conceptualization through physical checkout

• Mechanical design experience in SolidWorks, drawing creation using GD&T

• Hands-on experience with motion control systems including stepper and servo motors, miniature motion devices, solenoids, 6-DOF collaborative robots, and automated adhesive dispensing for small form factor applications

• Experience developing and deploying computer vision systems for real-time applications, including camera calibration, lens selection, lighting control, and achieving micron-level resolution

• Knowledge of sensor integration and signal conditioning, including camera, RFID, proximity, and product ID sensing

• Experience in PCBA design, test, integration, and rapid prototyping

Tech Stack

• Mechanical

  • SolidWorks CAD and PDM proficiency

  • Tolerance stack, engineering drawings, and design principles for high precision assemblies

  • Rapid prototyping using 3D printing, machining, and injection molding

• Cross Disciplined

  • Programming: Python, C/C++, PLC ladder logic (Siemens, Allen Bradley), HMI development

  • Motion Control: Stepper/servo systems, PID tuning, EtherCAT, CANopen, Modbus

  • Vision and ML: Camera and optics selection, OpenCV, YOLO, embedded inference

  • Embedded Systems: Microcontroller (Orange Pi, raspberry pi, Arduino), sensor integration and calibration

What We Offer

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???? Fun Team Environment – Monthly team bonding events, free lunches, and activities to keep us connected.

????️ Flexible Paid Time Off – Take time when you need it, with PTO that grows over time plus 10 paid holidays, including two floating holidays to use at your discretion

???? 401(k) Match – We offer company match to help you plan for your future.

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Ready to Build the Future? Apply now

At viaPhoton, we are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We reinforce this through our core values and beliefs as well as our processes and strategic goals. We remind team members to seek various viewpoints, learn and be hungry with curiosity, and gain trust.