Senior Automation Engineer Robotics Jobs in Detroit, MI

Serves as a North America robotics technical expert, responsible for developing, standardizing, and supporting robotic systems across manufacturing operations. Focuses on industrial robotics, collaborative robots (cobots), and robotic automation solutions to enable scalable, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes.

Supports project development and shopfloor implementation while leading the standardization of robotic systems, programming methodologies, and integration approaches. Drives innovation through development of proof-of-concept (POC) solutions and deployment of advanced robotics technologies across divisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support development of robotic concepts, simulations, and feasibility studies, including cycle time analysis and system design.

• Lead standardization of robotics platforms, programming methodologies, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), and integration approaches across all facilities.

• Develop, document, and maintain robotics standards, best practices, and reusable programming structures to ensure scalability and consistency.

• Support automation project development and execution, including design reviews, equipment specifications, and integration requirements.

• Provide hands-on support during shopfloor implementation, commissioning, and debugging of robotic systems.

• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize industrial robots and cobots (e.g., FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots), ensuring reliability and performance.

• Ensure seamless integration of robotics systems with PLC controls, vision systems, and manufacturing equipment.

• Lead development and deployment of collaborative robot (cobot) applications, ensuring safe and efficient human-robot interaction.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize cycle time, throughput, quality, and equipment reliability.

• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for robotics and automation-related downtime.

• Develop and execute proof-of-concept (POC) projects for advanced robotics technologies, including AI-enabled robotics, flexible automation, and adaptive systems.

• Identify and evaluate emerging robotics technologies and support scaling of successful innovations across multiple plants.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Automation, Controls, Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Safety to support system improvements and deployments.

• Provide technical support and guidance to divisional engineering teams, including training on robotic systems, programming, and safety procedures.

• Support development of digital tools such as offline programming (OLP), simulation, and virtual commissioning for robotics applications.

• Ensure compliance with applicable safety standards (OSHA, MIOSHA, RIA) and corporate requirements for robotic systems.

• Support internal and external audits related to ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949, ensuring robotics systems meet quality system requirements.

• Support and comply with Standard Operating Procedure 8000 (Quality Management System).

• Identify and implement cost reduction, standardization, and efficiency improvements through robotics technologies.

• Promote a strong safety culture in robotic system design and implementation, ensuring all applications meet regulatory and corporate safety standards.

• Expected to travel up to 30% for divisional support according to project needs.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty and responsibility. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, ability and/or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education

Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in Robotics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience/Special Knowledge/Skills

• Minimum 5+ years of experience with industrial robotics, automation integration, and manufacturing processes.

• Strong hands-on experience with major robotics platforms (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots or equivalent).

• Experience with collaborative robots (cobots) and human-robot interaction applications.

• Proficiency in robot programming, simulation, and troubleshooting in production environments.

• Strong understanding of robotics integration with PLC systems, sensors, and vision systems (Cognex, Keyence or similar).

• Experience with end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) design and robotic cell optimization.

• Familiarity with offline programming (OLP), simulation tools, and virtual commissioning is highly preferred.

• Knowledge of Industry 4.0 concepts, including smart manufacturing, data collection, and connected equipment.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to support complex automation systems.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-site manufacturing environment and support shopfloor activities.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work across engineering and operations teams.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Normal amount of sitting, standing, and walking. Average mobility to move around an office and manufacturing environment, able to conduct work at a computer, with travel required to support plant integration and project implementation.