Technical Skills:
- Hands-on expertise in programming and commissioning of Cartesian robots (gantry systems) used in tyre compound handling, multi component cassette handling, green tyre transfer operations and finished tyre and warehouse automation.
- Proficiency in programming multi-axis industrial robots (4-axis, 6-axis, SCADA) from OEMs such as KUKA, Fanuc, ABB, or Yaskawa for pick-and-place, trimming, inspection, and palletizing tasks in tyre manufacturing
- Strong understanding of AGV systems (laser-guided, magnetic-tape, vision-guided) for raw material transport, finished goods movement, and warehouse replenishment within the plant
- Expertise in AMR fleet management platforms MiR Fleet, Fetch Robotics, Omron Fleet Manager) for dynamic path planning, obstacle avoidance, and task assignment in unstructured environments
- Knowledge of robot safety standards (ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066) and safe human-robot collaboration (cobot) practices
- Proficiency in robot simulation and offline programming tools such as Robot Studio, KUKA Sim, or Fanuc ROBOGUIDE.
- Understanding of PLC/SCADA integration with robot controllers and interfacing over OPC-UA, Profinet, Ether Net/IP or Modbus TCP protocols
- Familiarity with vision systems (2D/3D camera integration, Cognex, Keyence) for robot-guided pick operations and quality inspection
KPIs:
- Reduction in robot-related downtime (MTTR & MTBF improvement targets)
- AGV/AMR fleet utilization rate and on-time material delivery adherence
- Successful deployment and commissioning of new robot cells within project timelines
- Reduction in manual material handling incidents and improvement in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of robotic lines
Key Activities & Responsibilities
Cartesian & Multi-Axis Robot Operations
- Program, commission,
and optimize Cartesian (gantry-type) robot systems used in tyre building machines for exact compound feeding, bead transfer, and green tyre handling with defined positional accuracy
- Develop and maintain robot programs for 4-axis and 6-axis articulated robots deployed across curing press loading/unloading, tyre trimming lines, and finished goods palletizing stations
- Design and validate end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) and gripper systems tailored to tyre geometries and weight profiles in coordination with the mechanical team
- Conduct robot path optimization and cycle time studies to maximize throughput and reduce idle time across robotic cells
- Establish and maintain robot calibration routines, tool center point (TCP) verification, and payload validation protocols
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including PLC engineers, mechanical designers, and process engineers to integrate robots into the tyre manufacturing process flow.
AGV & AMR Fleet Operations
- Design, deploy, and manage AGV systems for defined-route material transport tasks including raw rubber compound delivery, semi-finished tyre movement, and warehouse replenishment in the tyre plant
- Configure and manage AMR fleets using fleet management software for dynamic, collision-free navigation in areas shared with human operators, with real-time task scheduling and rerouting
- Define and map AGV/AMR operational zones,
charging station layouts, traffic management rules, and priority lanes within plant floor layouts
- Integrate AGV/AMR systems with Plant WMS (Warehouse Management System), ERP (SAP), and MES to trigger and confirm material movement tasks automatically
- Establish preventive maintenance schedules for AGV/AMR fleets including battery management, navigation sensor calibration (LiDAR, ultrasonic), and drive system checks
- Perform incident investigation and root cause analysis for AGV/AMR stoppages, navigation failures, and collision events; implement corrective and preventive actions.
MIS & Reporting
- Maintain comprehensive records of all robot maintenance, breakdowns, program changes, and spare parts consumption for Cartesian, multi-axis, AGV, and AMR systems
- Track and report key robot performance metrics (uptime, cycle time adherence, fault frequency) via SAP PM and MES dashboards on a regular basis
- Prepare and present periodic reports on robotics automation performance, project status, and improvement initiatives to the Automation leadership team.
Team & Relationship Management
- Guide, mentor, and manage robotics technicians and automation associates to ensure departmental objectives on uptime and project delivery are consistently met
- Coordinate with OEMs (robot suppliers, AGV/AMR vendors) for warranty support, spare parts availability, software upgrades, and training programs
- Work proactively with HR for capability building through structured training programs on robot programming, safety standards, and new automation technologies
- Motivate, counsel, and coach team members to maintain a high-performance, safety-first working culture aligned with plant values
📌 Manager - Robotics & Automation (India)
🏢 CEAT
📍 India