This is a contract consultant position, with the potential for long-term employment based on performance.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Automation Systems & Robotics Maintenance Manager to own the reliability, serviceability, and continuous improvement of complex automated machinery. This role is responsible for hands-on troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and root-cause analysis across electro-mechanical systems with many interdependent subsystems.
Our automation platforms include robotic handling, imaging systems, precision alignment mechanisms, vacuum systems, motion control, and custom wiring harnesses. These systems operate continuously in a production environment and require daily to weekly service, calibration, and fault resolution.
This is a systems-thinker role—someone who understands that a small failure (connector wear, cable fatigue, vacuum leak, camera drift, pedestal misalignment) can cascade into broader system instability if not diagnosed correctly.
Key Responsibilities
System Ownership & Reliability
- Own uptime, performance, and serviceability of complex automated machinery
- Act as escalation point for recurring or high-impact mechanical, electrical, or vision issues
- Diagnose failures involving:
- Wiring harnesses, connectors, and cable routing
- Cameras, lighting, lenses, and imaging alignment
- Vacuum lines, seals, solenoids, and pressure sensors
- Precision fixtures, pedestals, and alignment mechanisms
- Tilt, lift, and motion assemblies (motors, belts, bearings, rails)
Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
- Perform structured troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and vision subsystems
- Identify failure modes such as:
- Intermittent connector failures
- Signal degradation from cable wear or EMI
- Mechanical drift or misalignment over time
- Vacuum loss due to micro-leaks or contamination
- Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), not just quick fixes
Preventive Maintenance & Service Strategy
- Define and improve PM schedules based on real failure data
- Standardize service procedures and inspection checklists
- Recommend design improvements to reduce wear, service time, and variability
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with:
- Manufacturing / Operations
- Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
- Software / Controls / Vision teams
- Translate field failures into actionable engineering feedback
Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
- Maintain service documentation, wiring diagrams, and troubleshooting guides
- Train technicians and engineers on proper diagnostics and repair techniques
- Capture tribal knowledge and convert it into repeatable processes
Required Experience & Skills Core Technical Background
- 5+ years working with automated machinery, robotics, or complex electromechanical systems
- Strong hands-on experience with:
- Electrical wiring, connectors, sensors, and power distribution
- Mechanical assemblies with tight tolerances and alignment requirements
- Pneumatic or vacuum systems
- Cameras, optics, lighting, or machine vision components
- Proven ability to troubleshoot systems, not just components
Practical Mindset
- Comfortable diagnosing intermittent, non-obvious failures
- Able to distinguish between software symptoms and hardware root causes
- Understands wear mechanisms, tolerance stack-ups, and environmental effects
Tools & Methods
- Multimeters, oscilloscopes (preferred), and diagnostic tools
- Mechanical alignment tools (gauges, shims, fixtures)
- Root cause analysis methods (5 Whys, Fishbone, FMEA)
Highly Valuable (but Not Required)
- Experience supporting equipment in high-throughput production environments
- Exposure to custom-built or semi-custom automation (not just off-the-shelf robots)
- Background in reliability engineering or maintenance engineering
- Experience with regulated or quality-driven environments
What Success Looks Like in This Role
- Fewer recurring failures and “mystery” downtime events
- Faster, more accurate diagnosis of system issues
- Clear service standards instead of reactive firefighting
- Strong feedback loop between field failures and design improvements
Pay: $65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
