Robotics Application and Growth Leader

Why This Role / Why Now

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a robotics program at a successful, growing, employee-owned automation company that is ready to invest in robotics as a strategic growth engine.

Our core automation business is strong, our customer relationships are established, and demand for robotics continues to accelerate. What we lack today is a dedicated leader to own robotics from concept through execution—someone who can turn interest into wins and wins into a scalable, profitable business.

This role comes with executive support, investment backing, and real authority to shape how robotics is sold, designed, and delivered. The right individual will not be inheriting a mature program—they will be creating one, with a clear mandate to drive growth, improve competitiveness, and build long-term value in an employee-owned environment where results are shared.

If you are looking for a role where your technical expertise directly influences strategy, revenue, and the future of the business, this is it.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Robotics Applications & Growth Leader to transform and scale our industrial robotics program. Today, robotics is an underdeveloped but high-potential offering. This role is a player/coach position responsible for owning front-end robotics applications engineering, driving competitive solutions, improving win rates, and building a repeatable, profitable robotics business.

This individual will serve as the technical and commercial leader for robotics, partnering closely with sales, engineering, and customers to turn opportunities into wins—and wins into a scalable program.

Key Outcomes (First 12–24 Months)

• Increase robotics bookings from ~2 projects/year to 10+ within 18 months
• Improve robotics quote win rate to 40%+
• Reduce average robotics project cost through creative concepts and standardization
• Establish 3–5 repeatable robotic cell architectures
• Position robotics as a core, profitable growth engine

Key Responsibilities

Applications Engineering & Concept Development

• Lead front-end robotics solution design and application feasibility
• Guide team to develop clear, cost-effective concepts that balance performance, risk, and ROI

Estimating & Quoting Leadership

• Own ROM and detailed estimates for robotic systems
• Drive scope discipline, reuse proven designs, and improve quote competitiveness
• Partner with project management and controls teams while maintaining cost accountability

Customer-Facing Technical Sales Support

• Support sales in discovery meetings, on-site process reviews, and technical presentations
• Translate customer problems into practical robotic solutions with clear value propositions
• Serve as the technical face of robotics during pursuit and proposal stages

Robotics Program Development

• Create standard robotic architectures, templates, and best practices
• Develop “Good / Better / Best” solution frameworks by application
• Establish scalable approaches to programming, safety, EOAT, and controls

Vendor & Technology Leadership

• Lead relationships with robot OEMs and EOAT suppliers
• Leverage vendor resources for training, demos, and pre-sales support

Internal Enablement & Coaching

• Mentor engineers and enable cross-functional teams on robotics best practices
• Support smooth handoff from sales to execution
• Help build and scale a dedicated robotics team over time

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in industrial robotics
• Strong applications engineering background
• Proven experience designing and estimating robotic cells
• Customer-facing technical experience in an automation or integration environment
• Ability to simplify designs and control project cost

Preferred Experience:

• 15+ years of experience in industrial robotics
• Background with various robotic OEM platforms
• Experience with material handling, palletizing, machine tending, welding, or assembly
• Knowledge of robotic safety standards (RIA / ISO / R15.06)

Compensation & Growth

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based bonus tied to robotics growth
• Clear path to expanded leadership responsibility and potential business unit ownership

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a robotics program, not simply support one.

Pieper Automation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.