Lead Pneumatic Systems Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Design, optimise and support high-cycle, pneumatic/vacuum robotic end effectors for box-palletising and general material-handling applications.
• Own the complete life-cycle from concept and CFD/flow analysis through prototype, test, and site launch.
• Lead EOAT architecture: size compressors, FRLs, Venturi or mechanical vacuum pumps, valves and regulators to meet flow, pressure-drop and cycle-time targets.
• Model air-flow dynamics and vacuum performance (CFD, analytic sizing) and iterate designs for < 150 ms grip time on corrugate cartons.
• Select suction-cup geometry, manifold layouts and quick-change couplers; create 3-D CAD, BOMs and pneumatic schematics.
• Integrate pneumatic circuits with robot I/O, sensors and safety relays; tune valve timing for repeatable release.
• Run lab and in-cell tests; analyse data, drive design changes and document results.
• Travel (~ 10–15 %) to suppliers, build shops and customer plants for design reviews and commissioning.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical, Mechatronics or Robotics Engineering.
• 5 + years hands-on design of pneumatic or vacuum pick-and-place tooling for robotics, packaging, or conveyor equipment.
• Deep knowledge of compressors, Venturi vs. mechanical pumps, flow regulators, solenoid valves and suction-cup technologies – including trade-offs in efficiency and maintenance.
• Proficient with SolidWorks
• Demonstrated ability to calculate flow, Cv, vacuum loss and cup holding-force.
• Excellent cross-discipline communication; able to guide controls and electrical teams on hose routing and sensor placement

Nice-to-Have

• Experience with palletising cells ≥ 20 CPM, multi-zone box grippers or sheet depalletising.
• Familiarity with quick-change tool changers, modular 3-D-printed EOAT, and IO-Link smart valves.
• Experience deploying pneumatic solutions in uptime-critical applications
• Wide experience designing robot grippers for many use cases