Paint Automation Specialist/ Robot Programmer

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

Company Overview
Sapience Automation, a reputable provider of turnkey solutions for industrial automation, specializes
in serving diverse industries such as automotive, medical, aviation, building products, general
industrial, domestic appliances, and food. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Sapience is
committed to fostering long-term customer relationships by consistently delivering excellence through
its skilled workforce, standardized processes, and passion for innovation. The company values
transparency, continuous learning, and a strong sense of responsibility and accountability. With a
successful track record of executing numerous global projects, Sapience attributes its achievements to
its exceptional team, adherence to industry standards, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Competitive compensation packages are offered to qualified candidates.

Role: Industrial Paint Automation Specialist / Robot Programmer

Position Summary

As an Industrial Paint Automation Specialist at Sapience, you will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and commissioning robotic paint systems with a strong focus on process performance, finish quality, and efficiency . This role blends robot programming, paint process engineering, and system integration to deliver high-performance automated finishing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Paint Robot Programming & Process Development

• Develop and optimize robot programs specifically for spray painting and coating applications
• Program paint paths including:
  
  • Gun orientation and distance control
• 
  
  • Overlap strategies and pattern control
• 
  
  • Edge coverage and complex geometry handling
• Configure and tune:
  
  • Atomization parameters
• 
  
  • Flow rates and pressure settings
• 
  
  • Electrostatic settings (if applicable)
• Optimize for:
  
  • Transfer efficiency
• 
  
  • Film build consistency
• 
  
  • Cycle time vs quality balance

2. Paint Process Engineering

• Develop and validate paint processes including:
  
  • Spray patterns and coverage strategies
• 
  
  • Coating thickness targets
• 
  
  • Multi-pass and multi-layer applications
• Conduct spray trials and document results
• Troubleshoot defects such as:
  
  • Runs, sags, dry spray, orange peel, poor adhesion
• Define and document process recipes and standards

3. System Integration (Paint + Controls + Fluid Delivery)

• Integrate robots with:
  
  • Paint delivery systems (pumps, regulators, color change systems)
• 
  
  • PLCs and HMIs
• 
  
  • Safety systems and interlocks
• Work closely with Controls Engineers to:
  
  • Map I/O and process signals
• 
  
  • Implement recipe management
• 
  
  • Enable operator adjustments via HMI

4. Simulation, Layout, and Tooling Support

• Utilize robot simulation tools to:
  
  • Validate reach and coverage
• 
  
  • Optimize robot placement and cycle time
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering on:
  
  • EOAT (spray guns, bell applicators, brackets)
• 
  
  • Fixture and part presentation design
• Validate accessibility for maintenance and cleaning

5. Testing, Commissioning & Optimization

• Lead and execute:
  
  • Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
• 
  
  • Spray trials and validation runs
• Commission systems on-site including:
  
  • Final process tuning
• 
  
  • Debugging and optimization
• Serve as technical lead for paint process performance at customer sites

6. Documentation & Standards Development

• Develop:
  
  • Paint process setup sheets
• 
  
  • Spray parameter documentation
• 
  
  • Robot program standards for paint applications
• Support internal standardization efforts for:
  
  • Paint programming methods
• 
  
  • Process validation procedures

7. Customer Training & Support

• Train customers on:
  
  • Robot operation for paint systems
• 
  
  • Process adjustments and troubleshooting
• Provide guidance on:
  
  • Maintenance of paint equipment
• 
  
  • Best practices for consistent coating quality

Qualifications

Required

• Experience with industrial robot programming (FANUC preferred, especially paint platforms)
• Hands-on experience with automated paint or coating systems
• Strong understanding of:
  
  • Spray application fundamentals
• 
  
  • Fluid delivery systems
• 
  
  • Coating quality requirements
• Familiarity with PLC-controlled systems and industrial automation environments
• Ability to troubleshoot both robot motion and process-related issues

Preferred

• Experience with FANUC PaintTool or equivalent platforms (ABB, etc.)
• Knowledge of:
  
  • Electrostatic spray systems
• 
  
  • Bell and rotary atomizers
• Experience conducting:
  
  • Spray trials
• 
  
  • Transfer efficiency studies
• Familiarity with vision systems for paint applications (optional but valuable)

Key Traits for Success

• Strong process mindset (not just programming)
• Detail-oriented with a focus on finish quality
• Ability to balance speed vs quality vs material usage
• Comfortable working hands-on in production environments
• Effective communicator with both customers and internal teams

Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance or have any other requests!
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