Robotics Engineering Manager

Summary

Universal Logistics is a provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions across transportation, value-added, intermodal, and specialized services. The role develops, industrializes, and launches robotic automation for manufacturing and logistics operations, overseeing robotic cells, tooling, controls, safety systems, suppliers, commissioning, and production handoff.

Responsibilities

• Develop robotic automation concepts for applications such as pick-and-place, kitting and sequencing, palletizing, depalletizing, machine tending, packaging, and material handling; perform feasibility, cycle-time, capacity, layout, and process studies
• Define technical requirements and statements of work for robotic cells, including robot selection, end-of-arm tooling, fixtures, machine vision, guarding, safety devices, controls, conveyance, and equipment interfaces
• Manage system integrators and equipment suppliers from RFQ and design through build, FAT, installation, SAT, commissioning, and production ramp-up; track project timing, cost, deliverables, risks, and open issues
• Lead design reviews, process reviews, risk assessments, FMEA activities, and site-readiness planning while coordinating Operations, Engineering, Controls, IT, Safety, Quality, Maintenance, Facilities, and customer teams
• Support robot/cobot programming and integration of PLC/HMI controls, machine vision, and end-of-arm tooling; debug issues during commissioning and validate safety, quality, cycle time, throughput, uptime, and process capability
• Develop acceptance criteria, operating standards, training, spare-parts and preventive-maintenance requirements, and lessons learned; complete formal handoff to site operations

Skills

• · Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, industrial, mechatronics, robotics engineering, engineering technology, or a related technical field
• · 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, robotics integration, or equipment launch in a manufacturing, warehousing, or logistics environment
• · Working knowledge of industrial and/or collaborative robots, end-of-arm tooling, PLC/controls, machine vision, sensors, safety systems, and integrated robotic cells
• · Ability to read mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, layouts, and technical specifications and perform cycle-time analysis, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis
• · Ability to manage suppliers, schedules, technical deliverables, and launch issues, with willingness to travel and support non-standard hours during critical launch periods
• · Strong self-starter with a manufacturing-engineering mindset and the ability to own projects, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive issues to closure
• · Hands-on experience with industrial robot or cobot platforms such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, or similar systems, including programming or simulation
• · Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs and HMIs, safety PLCs, industrial networking, and integration of robotic equipment with other automation
• · Experience with machine vision, force/torque sensing, grippers, vacuum tooling, fixtures, and other end-of-arm tooling
• · Understanding of industrial and collaborative robot safety requirements, machine guarding, risk assessment, lockout/tagout, and applicable ANSI/RIA and ISO standards
• · Experience with AutoCAD/SolidWorks, robot simulation or virtual commissioning, FAT/SAT, run-at-rate validation, Lean/Six Sigma, or automotive/high-volume manufacturing

Qualifications

Must Haves

• · Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, industrial, mechatronics, robotics engineering, engineering technology, or a related technical field
• · 2+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, robotics integration, or equipment launch in a manufacturing, warehousing, or logistics environment
• · Working knowledge of industrial and/or collaborative robots, end-of-arm tooling, PLC/controls, machine vision, sensors, safety systems, and integrated robotic cells
• · Ability to read mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, layouts, and technical specifications and perform cycle-time analysis, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis
• · Ability to manage suppliers, schedules, technical deliverables, and launch issues, with willingness to travel and support non-standard hours during critical launch periods

Nice to Haves

• · Strong self-starter with a manufacturing-engineering mindset and the ability to own projects, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive issues to closure
• · Hands-on experience with industrial robot or cobot platforms such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, or similar systems, including programming or simulation
• · Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs and HMIs, safety PLCs, industrial networking, and integration of robotic equipment with other automation
• · Experience with machine vision, force/torque sensing, grippers, vacuum tooling, fixtures, and other end-of-arm tooling
• · Understanding of industrial and collaborative robot safety requirements, machine guarding, risk assessment, lockout/tagout, and applicable ANSI/RIA and ISO standards
• · Experience with AutoCAD/SolidWorks, robot simulation or virtual commissioning, FAT/SAT, run-at-rate validation, Lean/Six Sigma, or automotive/high-volume manufacturing