Robotics / R & D Manager

Objective:

Direct the duties and responsibilities of teammates within the Robotics / Research & Development Department as it pertains to robot programming and debug efforts along with researching and testing new technologies as they relate to the automation industry. It is essential that the Robotics / R&D Manager – manages the resources and is always up to speed on the project timeline and milestones.
The Robotics / R&D Manager shall be the “gatekeeper” for all engineering activities as it pertains to robotics programming and debug. This includes in house and sublet resources.

Responsibilities:

1. Continuously improves processes and delivers conforming quality products and services to internal/external customers
2. Programming and debug of industrial robots
3. Investigate, research and test new technologies in the factory automation space
4. Involvement in experimental prototypes and design improvements
5. Concept development
6. Process development
7. Provide technical assistance to Sales & Applications groups
8. Feasibility studies
9. Shop/floor project resource/problem resolution
10. Troubleshooting problems
11. Brainstorm alternatives
12. Provides customer service
13. Streamline designs with independent contractors, engineering consultants, design firms and programming services
14. Analyzes customer requirements
15. Participates in line up meetings
16. Attend and provide input on concepts and design review meetings
17. Process validation will be a joint effort, and your involvement is critical to our process and developing a custom machine.
18. Documentation
19. Vendor quotation
20. Generates reports
21. Participates in training
22. Maintain a safe work environment

Supervisory Responsibilities:

1. Direct supervision of a team of Engineers
2. Assign resources to projects based on capability of engineer and project requirements. This includes sublet resources.
3. Monitor and report progress on each project. Manage, Monitor and Report – Work Flow.
4. Manage and document, software and hardware for the Controls group. New equipment and software will need to be approved and signed prior to purchase.
5. Perform yearly performance reviews of your department. Recommend wages / increases will be drafted and reviewed. Final increases are determined by the VP of Engineering.
6. Hiring and Firing. This position does not authorize hiring and firing but does weigh heavily on your input. These teammates are essential to the success of the company and reflect heavily on your job performance.
7. Interviews are always encouraged. You have full authority to interview and qualify candidates prior to final interview and job offer details with the VP of Engineering. Job offer letters will be handled by the VP of Engineering.
8. Review expense reports prior to submitting them to VP of Engineering’s inbox.
9. Review your teams weekly time entries in Total ETO.
10. Process new project metrics which include – re-quote hours, evaluate timeline and identify risks relative to budget and timing. This information will be documented by the VP of Engineering and elevated to the executive management team.
11. Create new technical standards. The Robotics/R&D Manager, MUST maintain and keep up to date the Robotics Standards document and put processes together for the team. These processes will be collaborative between the Controls Group Manager’s, the Robotics/R&D Manager and the VP of Engineering.

Education:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred

Qualifications:

1. Organizational / prioritization skills
2. Interpersonal / communications (written and verbal) skills
3. Five (5) + years’ experience directly working with industrial robots (programming, troubleshooting)
4. Creative problem-solving skills
5. Proficient in industrial robot programming
6. Familiarity with AutoCAD
7. Ability to travel
8. Technical knowledge of construction and application of materials, basic controls, and test applications
9. Cost and timing estimating
10. Basic mechanical knowledge
11. Project Management
12. Leadership skills

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