Automation Robotics Engineer

Job Title:

Automation Robotics EngineerJob Description The Automation Robotics Engineer plays a key role on a high-impact automation team that leads, supports, implements, and manages complex automation and advanced manufacturing initiatives. This role drives innovation, standardization, and continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing operations in North America, delivering cutting-edge automation and robotics solutions that enhance productivity, safety, quality, and system reliability. Responsibilities Lead, support, implement, and manage complex automation and advanced manufacturing initiatives across multiple manufacturing sites in North America. Design and implement automation cells, ensuring they meet performance, safety, and quality requirements while aligning with established automation standards. Establish, maintain, and continuously improve automation standards across multiple facilities to drive consistency and operational excellence. Own automation projects from concept through deployment, including requirements definition, system design support (mechanical and electrical), installation, commissioning, and ongoing operational support. Serve as a technical subject matter expert in automation and robotics, providing project leadership and technical guidance to internal teams and external system integrators. Support plant startups by commissioning new automation systems and ensuring smooth integration into production environments. Train operational and plant-level teams on newly deployed automation systems, including safe operation, basic troubleshooting, and maintenance practices. Deliver automation and robotics solutions that measurably improve productivity, safety, quality, uptime, and overall system reliability. Perform hands-on integration, programming, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of FANUC and Universal Robots (UR) systems. Develop and modify HMI applications to support operator usability, system monitoring, and efficient troubleshooting. Read and interpret electrical schematics to diagnose and resolve equipment and system issues in a timely manner. Establish and track performance metrics to improve equipment uptime, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Apply contingency planning and disaster recovery strategies to automation systems to minimize downtime and production risk. Conduct automation risk assessments to identify hazards, evaluate risk levels, and recommend appropriate mitigation measures. Mentor and train controls and automation engineers at the plant level to build local technical capability and support knowledge transfer. Collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, and support teams to ensure successful project execution and stable production performance. Support production operations as needed by troubleshooting automation issues and implementing corrective and preventive actions. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including improvement events, improvement walks, and error-proofing projects focused on safety, quality, and efficiency. Coordinate with system integrators and vendors to ensure solutions meet technical specifications, project timelines, and operational requirements. Travel within North America to support project deployment, plant startups, troubleshooting, and training activities. Essential Skills Hands-on experience with FANUC robots, including integration, programming, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair. Hands-on experience with Universal Robots (UR), including integration, programming, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair. Proven ability to manage small to medium automation projects, including retrofits and safety upgrades, from concept through deployment. Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting capabilities in an automated manufacturing environment. Proficiency with FANUC robotic systems, with the ability to configure, program, and optimize robotic applications. Strong knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLC platforms, including MicroLogix and CompactLogix, using RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, and Studio 5000. Experience developing and modifying HMI applications for industrial automation systems. Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics to diagnose and resolve equipment and system issues. Analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate data and determine optimal technical solutions. Experience establishing performance metrics to improve equipment uptime and reliability. Knowledge of contingency planning and disaster recovery strategies for automation and control systems. Experience completing automation risk assessments to support safe system design and operation. Ability to mentor and train controls and automation engineers and operational staff. Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with engineering, operations, and support teams. Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% within North America. Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience. 3-5 years of experience in an automation, robotics, or controls engineering role. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) or Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) systems. Experience with vision systems used for robotic guidance and positional offsets. Experience working with additional industrial robot platforms beyond FANUC is a plus. Background in automation, robotics, or controls engineering in advanced manufacturing environments. Experience supporting retrofits, safety upgrades, and continuous improvement projects in production facilities. Interest in ongoing technical and leadership development within automation and advanced manufacturing. Ability to support and participate in improvement events, improvement walks, and error-proofing initiatives. Open to candidates with strong hands-on technical backgrounds who meet the experience requirements, even if their degree is in a related field. Work Environment This role operates within advanced manufacturing environments that utilize cutting-edge automation and robotics technologies. The position involves regular interaction with production equipment, robotic cells, PLC-controlled systems, HMIs, and related industrial control hardware. The engineer will collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and support teams, as well as external system integrators, across multiple North American manufacturing sites. Travel is a significant component of the role, with approximately 30-50% travel required to other facilities within North America for project work, plant startups, troubleshooting, and training. The work environment emphasizes innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, offering exposure to diverse manufacturing processes, automation platforms, and system integrators, along with strong company benefits and opportunities for ongoing technical and leadership development. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Grand Rapids, MI. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $150000.00/yr. Lear Corporation - Employee Benefits Overview Health & Insurance Benefits Medical insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Life insurance Short-term and long-term disability coverage Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Retirement & Financial Benefits 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions Profit sharing Defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans (role/location dependent) Paid Time Off & Leave Paid holidays Paid vacation time Paid sick leave Paid maternity leave (availability varies by region) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Grand Rapids,MI. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 26, 2026. Abo