Automation & Robotics Engineer II

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At Benchmade Knife Company, the Automation & Robotics Engineer II will help define and execute our automation roadmap by turning manufacturing challenges into practical, scalable solutions. This engineer will identify opportunities and lead projects from early concept through production deployment.

This is a hands‑on, high-ownership role at the intersection of robotics, mechanical design, systems integration, and project leadership. The ideal candidate is comfortable programming and troubleshooting FANUC robots, developing concepts in Solid Works and robotic simulation, advancing new technologies through focused R&D, and leading cross‑functional teams through design, installation, and validation.

You will have the opportunity to push the boundaries of advanced manufacturing while maintaining technical ownership of systems already in production. We are looking for a high-caliber engineer with strong technical judgment, curiosity, and the drive to improve safety, quality, throughput, reliability, and manufacturing capability.

Direct experience with AI or machine learning is not required, but curiosity about how these technologies can improve robotics, machine vision, process control, and equipment performance will set you apart. This role offers opportunities to evaluate and apply emerging AI‑enabled tools as Benchmade expands its advanced automation capabilities.

• Help define and execute Benchmade’s automation roadmap.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for robotics and advanced automation throughout manufacturing.
• Lead automation projects from concept through proof of concept, execution, installation, integration, validation, and production release.
• Develop project scopes, technical requirements, schedules, budgets, acceptance criteria, and implementation plans.
• Independently develop FANUC robot applications, including program structure, motion, frames, tooling, I/O, equipment handshakes, fault recovery, and cycle optimization.
• Create robotic simulations, reach studies, interference studies, and cycle-time estimates using FANUC ROBOGUIDE or similar tools when appropriate.
• Design fixtures, nests, grippers, end‑of‑arm tooling, part‑presentation systems, and other automation hardware using Solid Works.
• Build and test R&D prototypes to evaluate new robotic processes, tooling, sensing technologies, and manufacturing concepts.
• Translate successful proof‑of‑concept projects into clear requirements for outside systems integrators.
• Manage machine builders and integrators through design reviews, builds, testing, installation, and final acceptance.
• Coordinate project execution with manufacturing engineering, controls engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, safety, vendors, and integrators.
• Provide technical ownership and engineering support for automation systems in production.
• Troubleshoot robotic, mechanical, pneumatic, sensing, controls, and…