Robotics Automation Engineer (Research and Early Development)
Summary
Research and early development work in robotics, automation, motion control, machine vision, and physical AI. 12-month contract with weekly pay, medical/dental/vision, and requires an engineering degree plus related experience.
Highlights
- Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Experience
- 8 years with Bachelor’s, 4 with Master’s, or 2 with PhD; robotics and automation experience
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline; Robotics preferred
- Department
- Research and early development engineering
- Type
- Contract
Job description
Robotics Automation Engineer – Research & Early Development
Location: 1910 East Innovation Park Drive, Tucson, AZ 85755
Contract Duration: 12 Months — Potential Extension or Full-Time Conversion
Pay Rate: $55–$65/hour (W2)
Benefits: Weekly Pay, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Robotics Automation Engineer to join a research and early development engineering team focused on robotics, automation, motion control, machine vision, and physical AI.
The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience prototyping and integrating robotic and motion-control systems, with the ability to develop, test, and iterate both hardware and software solutions.
Key focus areas for this role include:
Required Qualifications
Required Skills & Experience
Preferred Qualifications
Location: 1910 East Innovation Park Drive, Tucson, AZ 85755
Contract Duration: 12 Months — Potential Extension or Full-Time Conversion
Pay Rate: $55–$65/hour (W2)
Benefits: Weekly Pay, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Robotics Automation Engineer to join a research and early development engineering team focused on robotics, automation, motion control, machine vision, and physical AI.
The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience prototyping and integrating robotic and motion-control systems, with the ability to develop, test, and iterate both hardware and software solutions.
Key focus areas for this role include:
- Robotics and automation system integration
- Motion control and robotic prototyping
- Machine vision for calibration, object detection, and robot guidance
- Mechanical, electrical, and software prototyping
- Robotics/physical AI applications
- Hands-on development and testing of prototype systems
- Apply advanced engineering knowledge to research and early development projects involving process automation and robotic system integration.
- Generate concepts and develop, assemble, and test robotics and automation prototypes.
- Design and integrate mechanical, electrical, and software components into functional prototype systems.
- Develop and implement motion-control systems, including stepper motors, servo motors, encoders, and feedback systems.
- Apply machine vision technologies for object detection, robot guidance, calibration, and positioning.
- Conduct simulations, analyses, experiments, and testing to evaluate design concepts and project hypotheses.
- Troubleshoot and iterate prototype designs based on testing, performance results, user feedback, and project requirements.
- Participate in the development of new components, products, and processes, particularly for pathology laboratory applications.
- Contribute to potentially patentable components, systems, processes, or technical solutions.
- Work independently under general direction while exercising sound technical judgment.
- Participate in project planning and execution as part of a cross-functional Agile research engineering team.
- Prepare and present project results, technical findings, and data to diverse audiences.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a directly related discipline; Robotics preferred.
- Candidates must meet one of the following experience requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree + 8 years of related experience, OR
- Master’s degree + 4 years of related experience, OR
- PhD + 2 years of related experience.
Required Skills & Experience
- Strong knowledge of robotics/mechatronics engineering principles, motion control, sensing, and coordinate systems.
- Hands-on experience assembling, integrating, and testing robotics or automation systems.
- Experience with mechanical, electrical, and software prototyping.
- Experience with robot programming/software; ABB RobotStudio preferred.
- Experience with motion-control systems, including:
- Stepper motors
- Servo motors
- Encoders
- Feedback systems
- Experience using machine vision for:
- Object detection
- Robot guidance
- Calibration
- Positioning
- Experience with electronic control systems, including PID control, PLCs, or industrial controls.
- Experience with industrial communication protocols such as:
- PROFIBUS
- EtherCAT
- PROFINET
- RS-485
- Similar industrial communication technologies
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently in a research and development environment.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Creative and analytical mindset with the ability to learn and iterate quickly.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with robotic calibration using machine vision, including:
- Fiducial markers
- ArUco tags
- AprilTags
- Experience with CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
- Experience with industrial networking, including:
- Network switches
- Fortinet
- Routers
- TCP/IP
- Experience in the diagnostic, medical device, or pathology laboratory industry.