Manufacturing Robot Programmer/Technician

Location: Peterlee, United Kingdom; full time on site. Rotational three-shift operation: days, back shifts, and nights. The role may require travel within the UK and internationally for training, programming development, commissioning, and new robotic cell introductions.

Salary: £39,383.5 per year, excluding shift allowance, overtime, and bonus. Shift rates range from £20.75 to £28.01 per hour; overtime is paid at £29.33 per hour Monday–Saturday and £39.10 per hour on Sundays.

Company

Manufacturing site producing hirify.global articulated trucks using robotic technology, automated paint systems, and advanced manufacturing processes.

What you will do

• Program and support Cloos, Fanuc, and ABB robots across approximately 20 welding and paint cells.
• Develop and optimize robot programs to improve OEE, weld quality, cycle times, uptime, and production losses.
• Provide daily technical support to fabrication supervisors for quality, cost, delivery, and safety performance.
• Support the specification, development, commissioning, and improvement of robot cells, tooling, jigs, and safety systems.
• Conduct risk assessments, troubleshooting, RCCA investigations, and continuous improvement activities.
• Train robot operators, maintain robot PPM systems, and compile historical production data using Agility.

Requirements

• Demonstrable manufacturing experience in robotic programming, system optimization, troubleshooting, and automation support.
• Ability to develop, modify, teach, validate, and optimize robot programs for welding, painting, or material handling.
• ONC, HNC, apprenticeship, or equivalent technical experience.
• Strong knowledge of robotic systems, fault-finding, manufacturing integration, analytical problem-solving, and technical communication.
• Willingness to support a three-shift operation and work independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally when required.

Nice to have

• Experience with offline robot programming, robotic simulation, and automation commissioning.
• Experience with KUKA, Yaskawa/Motoman, or similar industrial robot platforms.
• Experience with robotic welding, robotic paint applications, or continuous improvement.
• Background as a time-served welder, fabricator, or paint technician, including MIG welding or heavy fabrication experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Open, autonomous, supportive, and development-focused working environment.
• Defined contribution pension scheme with company contributions matched up to 10%.
• Share ownership scheme with 50% company matching.
• Flexible benefits including medical and dental coverage.
• Employee Assistance Programme.