Location: Waukesha County / Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin Area
Compensation: $120,000 Per Year
Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time | Permanent
Work Arrangement: Onsite | No Remote
Experience Required: 3-10 Years; 5+ Years of ABB Robotics Programming Preferred
Benefits: Full Benefits
Travel: Up to 30% Domestic and International Travel
Interview Expenses: Not Provided
Relocation Assistance: Not Provided
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder Required
Local Proximity: Must reside within approximately a 45-minute daily commute of the Waukesha County / Greater Milwaukee area

Position Overview

A highly respected custom industrial automation systems integrator in the Waukesha County / Greater Milwaukee area is seeking an experienced Robotics Controls Engineer to join its engineering team. This direct-hire position offers the opportunity to design and build unique, custom automated machinery and advanced robotic cells from initial simulation through system commissioning and client acceptance.
Unlike repetitive production-line environments, this role focuses on complex, custom automation projects that require engineering creativity, advanced robotics programming, multi-platform controls expertise, and hands-on systems integration. The successful candidate will work alongside design engineering teams and physical assembly operations, providing the opportunity to see projects progress from virtual simulations to fully operational systems.

Project & Technical Scope

• Design and develop custom automated machinery and advanced robotic cells.
• Program and integrate ABB robotic systems within custom automation and systems integration environments.
• Develop advanced ABB RAPID code and RobotStudio simulations.
• Integrate robotic systems with master PLCs and plant-wide controls.
• Perform PLC development using Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Studio 5000 or similar platforms.
• Execute full-lifecycle automation projects from system design and simulation through physical debugging, commissioning, and client acceptance.
• Work with industrial motion control, machine safety systems, and specialized end-of-arm tooling (EOAT).

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, write, test, and optimize RAPID code for ABB robotic systems.
• Create and maintain RobotStudio simulations to validate robotic motion, cycle times, and system performance before physical deployment.
• Drive full-lifecycle custom machinery builds, including system design, advanced kinematics simulation, virtual testing, and physical debugging.
• Configure initial electrical setups, communication protocols, and software handshakes for ABB robotic packages and specialized end-of-arm tooling (EOAT).
• Integrate ABB robotic systems with master PLCs and broader plant control architectures.
• Troubleshoot complex robotic pathing, cycle-time bottlenecks, and systems integration challenges on the assembly floor and at customer facilities.
• Support commissioning and deployment activities at customer sites.
• Lead onsite client acceptance testing and provide high-level engineering support.
• Travel domestically and internationally for system deployment, commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer acceptance activities.
• Author comprehensive technical documentation, logic schematics, system manuals, and related engineering documentation for assigned automation builds.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering, assembly, and project teams to successfully deliver custom automation systems.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of verifiable experience programming ABB robotic systems in custom automation, industrial automation, or systems integration environments.
• At least 2 years of advanced hands-on experience with ABB RAPID programming.
• At least 2 years of experience using ABB RobotStudio for simulation and virtual system development.
• At least 2 years of practical PLC programming experience using Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Studio 5000 or similar major platforms.
• Strong understanding of industrial motion control and automated machinery systems.
• Hands-on knowledge of machine safety systems, including light curtains, safety relays, and safe-zone configuration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Automation, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Extensive hands-on systems integration experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.
• Valid U.S. Passport or immediate ability to obtain one for international travel.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder.
• Must reside within approximately a 45-minute daily commuting distance of the Waukesha County / Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Advanced ABB robotics programming.
• ABB RAPID programming.
• ABB RobotStudio simulation.
• Allen-Bradley PLC programming.
• Rockwell Studio 5000.
• Industrial automation and custom machine integration.
• Robotic path optimization and cycle-time improvement.
• Industrial motion control.
• Machine safety and safety system integration.
• Electrical controls and communication protocols.
• End-of-arm tooling (EOAT) integration.
• Virtual commissioning and physical system debugging.
• Technical documentation and controls system manuals.

Travel & Mobility Requirements

This position requires up to 30% domestic and international travel for equipment deployment, onsite commissioning, customer acceptance testing, troubleshooting, and engineering support. A valid U.S. Passport is required, or the successful candidate must have the immediate ability to obtain one.

Work Environment & Opportunity

This position is ideal for a senior robotics or controls engineer seeking greater technical autonomy and project variety. The company is a certified and highly respected custom industrial automation systems integrator with a diversified global customer base. Engineers have the opportunity to work on leading-edge machinery and complex robotic applications rather than repetitive production cycles.
With engineering design teams and physical assembly operations located under one roof, the role provides direct involvement throughout the development process—from virtual simulation and controls development to physical debugging, commissioning, and final customer acceptance.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: Up to $120,000 per year.
• Full Benefits Package.
• Direct-Hire Opportunity.
• Onsite Work Environment.
• Interview Expenses Not Provided.
• Relocation Assistance Not Provided.
• Up to 30% Domestic and International Travel.

Additional Information

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on, technically capable robotics and controls professional who enjoys solving complex automation challenges, working across multiple technology platforms, and taking ownership of custom systems from concept through commissioning. Strong candidates will combine advanced ABB robotics expertise with PLC programming, systems integration, machine safety, and customer-facing commissioning experience.