Job Description
Research Engineer (Robotics) - KK1
Posting Start Date: 18/08/2026
Schemes of Service: Research
Division: Engineering
Employment Type: Fixed Term
As a University of Applied Learning, SIT works closely with industry in our research pursuits. We are seeking a hands-on Research Engineer to develop, integrate, and deploy a vendor-agnostic robotics connectivity layer that links smart automation systems, sensors, and warehouse management platforms within a live logistics environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in and manage the research project with Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI and the research team members to ensure all project deliverables are met.
- Undertake these responsibilities in the project:
- Design, develop, and integrate the robotics connectivity layer: middleware nodes, protocol interfaces (OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT), and data pipelines between automation systems, embedded devices, and backend systems, using ROS 2.
- Develop station-level integration across the programme's automation processes — interfacing robots, sensors, PLCs, and vision systems into a common, standards-aligned framework.
- Build and maintain conformance test tooling to validate that vendor systems and interfaces meet the programme's connectivity specifications.
- Develop embedded software/firmware for data-capture endpoints and support custom electronics bring-up.
- Support deployment, commissioning, and site-acceptance testing at the industry partner's facility, including troubleshooting in a live operational environment.
- Maintain technical documentation, interface specifications, and version-controlled codebases to a standard that supports long-term maintainability and knowledge transfer.
- Coordinate with technical leads, the industry partner's engineering team, and vendors to keep integration on schedule.
- Carry out Risk Assessment, and ensure compliance with Work, Safety and Health Regulations.
- Coordinate procurement and liaison with vendors/suppliers.
- Work independently, as well as within a team, to ensure proper operation and maintenance of equipment.
Job Requirements
- Degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience spanning mechatronics, software development, and project delivery.
- Strong programming ability in C++ (primary), with working proficiency in Python; comfort with C for embedded work.
- Hands-on experience with ROS/ROS 2 and robotics middleware concepts.
- Experience integrating industrial hardware — robots, PLCs, sensors, cameras — and familiarity with industrial communication protocols (OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, or equivalent).
- Demonstrated project-management capability: able to plan, track, and deliver technical work independently and coordinate across stakeholders.
- Practical, systems-level troubleshooting skills across the hardware-software boundary.
Key Competencies
- Familiarity with Open-RMF or robotics interoperability frameworks, and awareness of relevant standards (e.g. TR 130:2025).
- Embedded development on STM32/ESP32/RP-class microcontrollers; PCB bring-up experience.
- Experience with containerised deployment (Docker), Linux systems, and networking fundamentals (segmentation, industrial networks).
- Exposure to computer vision or AI-based inspection systems.
- Prior experience in logistics, warehouse automation, or manufacturing-line integration.
- Experience working with or alongside an industry partner in an applied-research or deployment setting.
