Lead Robotics Engineer

We’re Hiring: Robotics Engineering Lead – Cobots, AMRs & Factory Automation

Location: Santa Rosa, California

Work Model: Onsite – No Remote

Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire

Base Salary: $114,000 – $192,000

Relocation Assistance: Available

Travel: No regular travel expected

We are partnering with a confidential technology and electronics manufacturer to hire a Robotics Engineering Lead for its Santa Rosa, CA facility.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on transforming manufacturing processes through Collaborative Robots (Cobots), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and factory automation.

The ideal candidate will identify automation opportunities, select appropriate technologies, and personally program, integrate, commission, and scale production-ready robotic systems while mentoring engineers and technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritize manufacturing processes suitable for robotics and automation.
• Design, program, integrate, and commission collaborative robot cells for assembly, material handling, machine tending, inspection, and testing.
• Deploy Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for intelligent material movement, including route planning, fleet coordination, and workstation hand-offs.
• Lead automation projects from requirements and concept design through simulation, build, FAT/SAT, validation, and production hand-off.
• Integrate robots with sensors, 2D/3D vision systems, end-effectors, grippers, and existing production equipment.
• Establish technical standards, review designs, and mentor engineers, technicians, and operators while remaining hands-on.
• Evaluate robotics technologies and integration vendors, conduct pilots, and scale successful automation solutions.
• Collaborate with safety stakeholders on risk assessments and compliance before robotic systems are deployed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry research experience.
• 3+ years of industrial robotics or automation experience in a live manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong combination of software and mechanical engineering capabilities.
• Hands-on experience programming and integrating collaborative robots, such as Universal Robots or equivalent platforms.
• Experience integrating end-effectors, grippers, sensors, and vision systems.
• Hands-on experience deploying AMRs and material-handling automation on a factory floor.
• Experience with cobot simulation and offline programming tools for layout, reachability, and cycle-time validation.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical projects and mentoring team members while remaining actively involved in execution.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Technical Experience

• ROS / ROS 2
• Robot simulation and digital-twin tools such as RobotStudio, RoboDK, or equivalent
• 2D/3D Machine Vision
• Force/Torque Control
• Pick-and-Place Applications
• AMR Fleet Management
• MES/Warehouse System Integration
• CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks, or AutoCAD
• Experience within electronics, semiconductor, precision, or high-mix/low-volume manufacturing
• Robot/Cobot vendor certifications
• Knowledge of ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066, ISO 12100, or ISO 13849

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $114,000 – $192,000, depending on relevant experience and qualifications.
• Full benefits package available for eligible employees.
• Relocation assistance is available.
• Interview travel expenses may be reimbursed.

Important: This is a 100% onsite position in Santa Rosa, California. Remote work is not available. Visa sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.

Interested candidates can apply or reach out directly with their updated resume.