Robotics Engineer

Hickory Metal Plant
Hickory, NC 28602, USA

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery.

HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

• Design, Program, and Optimize Robotic Systems
  • Develop, program, test, and optimize industrial robot applications for welding, material handling, machine tending, assembly, and inspection.
  • Configure coordinate systems, frames, payloads, paths, speeds, collision zones, and end-of-arm tooling.
  • Integrate robots with sensors, vision systems, fixtures, conveyors, tooling, and other production equipment.
  • Use offline programming and simulation tools to evaluate reach, payload, collision risks, cycle times, and robotic cell concepts.
• Integrate Controls and Launch Equipment
  • Connect robots with PLCs, HMIs, drives, industrial networks, and safety systems using technologies such as Rockwell, Siemens, Ether Net/IP, Profinet, and OPC UA.
  • Develop and refine robot-to-PLC handshakes, operating sequences, alarms, fault-recovery processes, and HMI functions.
  • Commission new and modified robotic cells, including calibration, debugging, cycle-time verification, validation, and acceptance testing.
  • Interpret electrical and mechanical schematics, I/O drawings, control logic, and cell layouts to support successful equipment integration.
• Solve Problems and Improve Performance
  • Troubleshoot complex robotic, controls, communications, motion, tooling, and process issues to restore production safely and efficiently.
    Analyze downtime, OEE, cycle time, scrap, and quality data to improve reliability, repeatability, and overall performance.
  • Partner with Maintenance and Operations to eliminate recurring failures, identify critical spare parts, and improve standard work.
  • Maintain program backups, version control, change records, preventive-maintenance requirements, and technical documentation.
• Lead Through Collaboration
  • Support automation projects from requirements development and equipment selection through installation, launch, and production handoff.
  • Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, equipment integrators, and suppliers.
  • Participate in design reviews, equipment risk assessments, factory and site acceptance testing, and production-readiness reviews.
  • Create operating instructions, troubleshooting guides, validation records, and training materials.
  • Train operators, technicians, and other employees on the safe and effective use of robotic systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Three to five years of hands‑on experience programming, integrating, commissioning, or supporting industrial robotics in a manufacturing environment.
• Programming experience with at least one major robotic platform; FANUC or Yaskawa experience is preferred, while ABB or Universal Robots experience is a plus.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, I/O, industrial networks, and controls integration, preferably involving Rockwell or Siemens platforms.
• Ability to interpret schematics, drawings, specifications, CAD layouts, control logic, and equipment documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis skills across mechanical, electrical, controls, programming, tooling, and process‑related issues.
• Knowledge of industrial robot safety, machinery risk assessments, lockout/tagout, and safe commissioning practices.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.