Sr Associate Robotics Engineering Acceleration Program

Job ID: 19359 

Alternate Locations: United States-Massachusetts-Boston; United States-Illinois-Chicago; United States-Michigan-Detroit; United States-New Jersey-Hoboken; United States-New York-Long Island; United States-North Carolina-Gastonia; United States-Ohio-Mogadore; United States-Pennsylvania-Newville; United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh; United States-Tennessee-Maryville-Tennessee 

Newell Brands is a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands like Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid®, Sharpie® and Yankee Candle® - and 24,000 talented teammates around the world. Our culture is built on values in action: Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, and Leadership. We work together to win, grow, and make a real impact—supported by a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative environment where you can be your best, every day.

Alternative Locations: Boston, MA, Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY, Newark, NJ, Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL or other Newell facility.

Newell Brands is a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands like Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid®, and Sharpie® and 24,000 talented teammates around the world. Our culture is built on values in action: Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, and Leadership. We work together to win, grow, and make a real impact, supported by a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative environment where you can be your best, every day.

Job Location: up to 75% travel (travel is rotation-specific)

Program Overview

The GPSN General Purpose Robotics Development Program builds internal capability in general automation and robotics. Participants perform and are accountable for proof-of-concept testing, shop-floor deployment and enterprise-wide strategic planning and deliver operational and business targets that affect their team and department.

Program Structure

Length of Program: 2 years

Number of Rotations: 3 rotations

Length of Each Rotation: ~8 months

Reporting: Solid line to ERA Leadership, with a dotted line to the site, for the entirety of the program

First Cohort Size: 2 openings, external candidates only

Robotics Skill Development

The areas below reflect potential exposure areas across the program rather than a fixed curriculum. Participants rotate through Newell's businesses to learn their operations and apply existing robotics expertise where it is needed:

• General Purpose Automation and Robotics Foundations: Program, calibrate and test automation solutions with internal and external partners.
• Proof-of-Concept Testing: Design and execute structured test plans and run build-test-learn cycles to validate automation performance against production requirements.
• Pilot Deployment: Transition proof-of-concept activities from vendor testing to live shop-floor operation, including safety validation, workflow integration and operator training.
• Vendor Knowledge Transfer: Work directly with vendor engineering teams to absorb technical knowledge and build Newell's internal capability.
• Safety & Governance: Apply Newell's EHS and machine safety standards to emerging robotic platforms. Scope, submit and advance automation investments through Newell's stage-gate and capital approval process.
• Implementation Planning & Scouting: Evaluate adoption readiness across manufacturing facilities, build implementation plans and research emerging technology and case studies to identify Newell's next general purpose automation opportunities.

Potential Program Activities

Because rotation assignments are tailored to business needs, the activities below reflect the types of work participants may encounter rather than a fixed set of tasks:

• Vendor-Partnered Testing: Build and execute test plans with vendor engineering teams.
• Pilot Deployment Support: Deploy different types of automation solutions at partner sites, troubleshoot issues and monitor performance.
• Cross-Site Collaboration: Maintain a dotted-line connection to the original proof-of-concept team while embedded at a pilot site, and serve both in parallel.
• Implementation & Business Case Development: Assess facility readiness, build rollout plans and present findings and recommendations to regional engineering leadership.
• Technology Scouting: Research case studies and emerging general purpose robotics advancements and bring forward new opportunities.

Other Program Considerations

Target Start Date: December 2026 - January 2027

Program Locations: Remote with up to 75% travel (rotation-specific)

Eligibility Requirements

General Purpose Robotics Development Program participants demonstrate a proven history of leadership, teamwork, ambition and commitment to establishing and achieving goals, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment where the technology and Newell's internal capability are still being built.

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in robotics, automation, or controls engineering required; direct experience with humanoid or bipedal robotic platforms strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering.

Key Qualifications

• Practical, theoretical knowledge of robotics and automation, demonstrated through advanced education and relevant experience, including programming, testing or deploying humanoid or bipedal robotic systems (required).
• Working knowledge of general-purpose robotics and automation concepts: locomotion, manipulation, perception and safety systems for humanoid/bipedal platforms.
• Communicates with vendors, external partners and internal engineering teams, and explains and interprets technical matters for each audience.
• Growth mindset and comfort operating in an emerging technology space without an established internal playbook.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing or plant operations (e.g., production lines, material handling, EHS/safety practices) preferred.
• Effective written and verbal communication, including translating emerging technical concepts for non-technical, plant-floor audiences and explaining policies, practices and procedures to site teams.
• Strong planning and organizing skills; manage multiple tasks and stakeholders (vendor, program leadership, site leadership) at once and resolves multi-issue problems that affect more than one team or site.
• Flexible: travels to vendor sites, works on-site at manufacturing plants and accepts different rotation assignments as needed.
• Works independently on assigned projects, with limited oversight, to deliver operational, functional and business targets that affect the team and department.
• Recommends and implements improvements to processes, procedures and systems that raise team performance.
• Influences peers and site teams at the operational level through clear guidance on concepts, practices and approaches.

“The Remote base pay range for this position is from $91,200 to $125,400. Salary will be based on prior experience related to the skills required for this position.”

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.