Robotics & Automation Engineer

Description

About UPF United Plastic Fabricating (UPF) and Tideman Marine build custom polyethylene and polypropylene water tanks for the fire industry, along with products for the industrial, transportation, marine, and defense markets. We’re investing in robotics. Position Summary UPF has already invested in Universal Robots collaborative robots and robotic welding across our plants. We need the engineer who makes that investment work reliably in production, so robots take on the repetitive, physically demanding work and our people focus on skilled work. You’ll start hands-on, stabilizing existing cells; as the program matures, you’ll set standards across sites and help build the team. Primary Responsibilities

• Make existing cobot and robotic welding systems reliable production assets (uptime, repeatability, weld quality).
• Program, integrate, commission, and validate robotic systems, including tooling, fixtures, sensors, and material feed.
• Diagnose programming, mechanical, tooling, and process issues and fix root causes, not symptoms.
• Respond quickly, on-site or remotely, when robots affect production, safety, or quality.
• Standardize programming, documentation, and maintenance so applications replicate across sites.
• Train operators, technicians, and engineers at each site so the program never depends on one person.
• Lead automation projects from feasibility through production validation.
• Evaluate emerging automation, such as AI-assisted vision, against real production needs.
• Manage robot makers, integrators, and tooling suppliers, and help shape the robotics roadmap and future team.

What Success Looks Like First, stabilize current applications. Next, make performance consistent across sites. Longer term, lead major projects and help build the team. Our Values in This Role We hire and lead by our PDCA values: Purpose, Doers, Curiosity, and Adaptable. Here, that means automation that solves real problems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in robotics, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years in robotics or industrial automation.
• Has moved robotic applications into production.
• Can program, troubleshoot, and commission robots.
• Strong root-cause problem solving under pressure.
• Has led cross-functional technical projects.
• Clear communicator; able to travel between WI and FL.

Preferred Qualifications

• Universal Robots experience.
• Robotic welding or end-of-arm tooling integration.
• PLCs, vision systems, or sensors.
• Fixture, robotic cell, or material-handling design.
• Multi-site automation standards.
• Working with integrators and automation vendors.
• CNC, fabrication, Lean, or plastics welding experience.

Physical Requirements These physical demands represent the requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation can be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office and production floor work with exposure to noise, heat, and welding fumes; required PPE is provided and must be worn.
• Extended standing and walking, working around robotic cells, lifting up to 50 lbs, and frequent travel between sites.

What We Offer 4-day work week (Monday–Thursday), paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with employer match, student loan assistance, profit sharing, and an employee referral bonus.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the associate occupying this position. Associates will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

United Plastic Fabricating is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. This employer participates in E-Verify.