Automation Process Lead - Robotics EngineerAnn Arbor, MI
Company and Position Overview: J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. (JBPCO) is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company forecasting over $2.5B in annual revenues and employing over 8,000 team members. The six operating subsidiaries, covering 60 locations, are engaged in the production of commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, ambulances, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, and commercial packaging. For more information, visit
The Automation Process Lead - Robotics Engineer will be responsible for developing the project concept for all automation projects and providing critical SME support in their respective area of expertise through program execution. This includes working with the Program Manager and respective BU counterparts to take projects from the idea phase through supplier selection including data gathering, concept development, process validation, business case justification, creating the scope of work, and identifying the preferred vendor/integrator. The process lead will apply their expertise to ensure the solution is of good quality and design, meets all safety, ergonomic and lean principles and conforms to all industry and applicable JBPCO standards. The Process Lead will be supporting multiple projects at one time across all the business units and their facilities within North America. The process lead will ensure selected projects at their core are based around safety, minimal labor dependency, quality, workflow, and delivery improvements.
Essential Job Functions: - Lead collaborative technical discussions with operations, engineering, quality, and executive leadership to identify automation opportunities, define manufacturing technology strategies, and establish Factory of the Future roadmaps focused on robotics, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
- Initiate and lead advanced automation development projects, including robotic welding, material handling, assembly, inspection, and machine tending applications. Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) improvements that optimize products and processes for automated production.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, engineering, supply chain, maintenance, and production teams to gain stakeholder alignment and ensure successful deployment of robotic and automated manufacturing solutions.
- Collaborate with product design and tooling teams to develop automation-friendly designs, fixturing concepts, and weld joint configurations that maximize robotic process capability, throughput, quality, and Lean manufacturing principles.
- Provide technical leadership regarding robotic manufacturing capabilities, cycle time optimization, production scheduling impacts, and capacity planning to support strategic manufacturing objectives.
- Lead concept development activities for automated manufacturing systems, including process simulation, robotic cell development, workflow optimization, material flow analysis, human-robot collaboration, throughput modeling, and PFEP (Plan For Every Part) development.
- Develop technical specifications, scopes of work, and functional requirements for robotic welding systems, automated equipment, vision systems, collaborative robots, and manufacturing technologies. Manage vendor selection, design reviews, FAT/SAT activities, acceptance testing, and system commissioning.
- Establish robotic welding standards, programming methodologies, and best practices including offline programming, simulation, adaptive welding technologies, seam tracking, touch sensing, vision-guided robotics, and process qualification requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives through automation by leveraging production data, weld quality metrics, OEE analysis, and digital manufacturing technologies to improve safety, quality, throughput, and operational efficiency.
- Lead the integration of robotic systems with plant controls, MES, ERP, quality systems, and industrial data platforms to support real-time manufacturing visibility, traceability, and performance monitoring.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for robotic welding processes and applicable industry standards, including AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, API 1104, ISO 3834, and automated welding qualification requirements.
- Partner with Business Units to evaluate automation opportunities through capacity analysis, labor modeling, ROI assessments, production forecasting, and cost estimations to support strategic investment decisions.
- Champion a culture of operational excellence by delivering automation solutions that exceed customer expectations through improved quality, process consistency, traceability, throughput, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure all automation systems, robotic cells, and integrated manufacturing technologies comply with JBPCO safety requirements and applicable industry standards, including ANSI/RIA, ISO, IEC/IEEE, NFPA, OSHA, and machine safety regulations.
- Maintain subject matter expertise in robotic and industrial automation standards by actively participating in industry training, professional organizations, and continuous education programs focused on robotics, autonomous systems, industrial controls, and manufacturing technologies.
- Lead automation initiatives focused on improving safety, reducing ergonomic risk, increasing throughput, enhancing weld and assembly quality, optimizing factory space utilization, and reducing manufacturing costs.
- Develop and implement advanced robotic manufacturing solutions including robotic welding, machine tending, automated assembly, vision-guided systems, autonomous material handling, and flexible manufacturing cells.
- Create and evaluate automation concepts through process simulation, digital twins, offline robot programming, fixture design, cycle time studies, line balancing, ergonomic assessments, and material flow optimization.
- Utilize data analytics, statistical methods, mathematical modeling, simulation tools, and process validation techniques to assess manufacturing performance, verify process capability, and optimize automated system effectiveness.
- Develop, maintain, and control engineering documentation including robot programs, simulation models, electrical schematics, control architecture, manufacturing standards, work instructions, PFMEAs, and process validation documentation.
- Lead Functional Safety and Risk Assessment activities throughout the automation lifecycle, including Task-Based Risk Assessments, Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS), machine safeguarding validation, and compliance reviews in accordance with ANSI/RIA R15.06, ANSI/RIA TR R15.306, ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066, and JBPCO standards.
- Provide technical leadership and training to manufacturing and engineering teams on robotic automation technologies, welding automation, machine safety, Industrial Engineering methodologies, Industry 4.0 technologies, electrical controls, and advanced manufacturing best practices.
- Drive enterprise-wide adoption of smart manufacturing technologies through integration of robotics, machine vision, AI-enabled inspection, manufacturing execution systems (MES), production analytics, and digital transformation initiatives.
Qualifications: - Self-motivated professional with demonstrated experience leading robotics and automation projects from concept through implementation.
- Proven success deploying robotic systems and automation solutions within manufacturing, warehousing, or industrial environments to improve safety, quality, and productivity.
- Hands-on experience with industrial robots, robotic integrators, automation vendors, and advanced automation technologies including vision systems, conveyors, robot simulation software, and end-of-arm tooling.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Strong ability to communicate, collaborate, and build effective working relationships with cross-functional teams including operations, maintenance, quality, and engineering personnel.
- Ability to create and analyze robotic process simulations using industry-standard software to optimize automation system design, validate process performance, and improve cycle time efficiency.
- Understanding of robotic system design, controls architecture, safety standards, manufacturing processes, and applicable industry regulations.
- Experience applying engineering and problem-solving methodologies including data analytics, Root Cause Analysis, DOE, FMEA, DFM/DFA, and continuous improvement techniques.
- Strong mechanical, electrical, controls, and troubleshooting aptitude with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex robotic system issues.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and contributing effectively within a team-oriented environment.
- Passion for workplace safety, robotics innovation, organization, and continuous improvement utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
- Knowledge of industrial automation, robot integration, machine controls, motion control systems, sensors, and process automation.
- Experience with robotic programming, commissioning, and optimization of industrial robotic cells and automated equipment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, along with engineering software tools used for robotics development, process timing and analysis.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and passport, with the ability to travel to manufacturing sites, vendors, and customer locations as required.
- Preferred: 3D CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA, or equivalent) for robotic cell design, tooling, and fixture development.
- Preferred: Experience programming industrial robots (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa/Motoman, Universal Robots, or similar), PLCs, HMI systems, and industrial networks.
- Preferred: Knowledge of programming languages and environments such as Python, C++, Visual Basic, Structured Text, Ladder Logic, or ROS (Robot Operating System).
- Preferred: Experience with machine vision systems, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), collaborative robots (cobots), AI-driven automation, and digital twin technologies.
Education: - BSME, BSIE, BSEE or equivalent.
- Six years or more directly related experience.
Travel Expectation: J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
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