Sr. Robotics Maintenance Engineer

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are pioneering the future of mobility by delivering exceptional automotive experiences through relentless innovation. Our mission is to drive the world forward by redefining what’s possible in vehicle design, engineering, and sustainability—without compromise. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles, including the Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, exemplify our "Compromise Nothing™" philosophy. These vehicles combine unparalleled range, performance, cutting-edge design, and expansive space, setting new benchmarks in their respective segments. Our commitment to vertical integration ensures that every aspect of design, engineering, and production is executed in-house across our global facilities, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.

Position Overview

The Sr. Robotics Maintenance Engineer is a critical role within our high-tech manufacturing operations, responsible for the design, development, integration, and lifecycle management of advanced robotic systems in our automotive paint operations. This position focuses on programming and commissioning robotic painting and sealing equipment to ensure precise and efficient coating applications. The role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including process engineering, controls, facilities, quality, and production, to achieve best-in-class paint application quality, operational reliability, and compliance with OEM and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of robotic systems, automation technologies, and paint application processes to drive continuous improvement and innovation in our manufacturing capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership and Supervision: Oversee and lead a team of electrical maintenance technicians dedicated to robotics activities within the paint shop, ensuring alignment with production goals and maintenance standards.
• Robotic System Design and Programming:
  • Design and optimize robot trajectories, flow logic, and application parameters for various painting operations, including primer, basecoat, and clear coat applications.
  • Utilize OEM-specific programming languages such as ABB RAPID, FANUC PaintTool, and Dürr EcoRPC to develop and refine robotic programs.
  • Leverage advanced simulation tools like Siemens Process Simulate, Visual Components, or RobCAD for path generation, cycle time validation, and digital twin modeling to enhance system performance.
  • Perform paint parameter tuning, including shaping air, atomizing air, fan width, bell speed, and fluid delivery rate, to meet transfer efficiency and surface quality targets.
• Equipment Integration and Commissioning:
  • Lead or support the integration of robotic cells with conveyors, paint mix rooms, applicators, atomizers, color changers, and environmental control systems.
  • Collaborate with OEMs such as Dürr, Eisenmann, ABB, FANUC, and Staubli during design reviews, Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and on-site commissioning.
  • Validate robot communication with PLCs, safety systems (e.g., light curtains, emergency stops), and fieldbus protocols (e.g., ProfiNet, Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet) to ensure seamless operation.
• Process Optimization and Quality Assurance:
  • Analyze paint application results, including orange peel, DOI (Distinctness of Image), runs, mottling, and overspray, to iteratively refine robot paths and settings for optimal performance.
  • Apply expertise in air flow, booth balancing, and paint chemistry to ensure environmental conditions support defect-free Class A finishes.
  • Collaborate with quality engineers to correlate robot performance with surface appearance metrics and participate in defect analysis, addressing issues such as fish eyes, craters, and sagging.
• Control, Safety, and Compliance:
  • Develop and maintain interlock matrices, robot zone maps, safety-rated speed settings, and teach pendant protocols to ensure compliance with ISO 10218, ANSI/RIA R15.06, and CE standards.
  • Ensure the integration of safety PLCs and emergency response functions with robot controls to maintain a secure operational environment.
  • Manage version control and backups of robot programs, I/O maps, and fault recovery scripts to support system integrity and traceability.
• Support and Maintenance:
  • Create and maintain robot recovery procedures and troubleshooting guides for production and maintenance teams to minimize downtime and enhance operational efficiency.
  • Perform downtime analysis related to robotic systems and implement corrective and preventive maintenance strategies to optimize system reliability and longevity.

Qualifications and Skills

To excel in this role, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Automation, or a related field, with a minimum of 5+ years of experience in robotic system design, programming, and maintenance within an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment. Proficiency in OEM-specific programming languages (e.g., ABB RAPID, FANUC PaintTool) and simulation tools (e.g., Siemens Process Simulate) is essential. Strong knowledge of PLC communication, fieldbus protocols, and safety compliance standards (ISO 10218, ANSI/RIA R15.06) is required. Experience with paint application processes, booth balancing, and quality assurance in automotive painting operations is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement in a fast-paced, innovative manufacturing environment.