Advisory Engineer, Hardware HPSC

Advisory Engineer, Hardware (HPSC)

Company: RICOH Location: Boulder, USA Work Model: Onsite Contract: Permanent Seniority: Senior

Join Ricoh's innovative Boulder R&D team as an Advisory Hardware Engineer, where you will play a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge programs across inkjet technology, robotics, machine vision, and renewable energy. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the entire lifecycle of electromechanical designs, from initial concepts to production-ready hardware.

About the Role

This versatile role requires a skilled engineer to contribute to mechanical and electromechanical design for a variety of exciting projects, including:

• Developing next-generation solar cell manufacturing processes within a renewable energy program.
• Designing and bringing to market a collaborative palletizing system based on UR robots, targeting CE marking and contract manufacturing.
• Expanding continuous-feed inkjet inspection platforms across Ricoh's automation product roadmap.

When hardware demands allow, you will also contribute to software development, utilizing Python and C++ for robotics, image processing, and high-throughput image processing pipelines. Experience with AI coding tools like Claude Code is a significant advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive mechanical and electromechanical design from ideation through to production hardware.
• Design End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT), base frames, and both electrical and pneumatic systems for robotics and automation.
• Develop industrial control panels, cable harnesses, and enclosures, including component selection, circuit design, layout, and grounding.
• Scope and deliver bespoke automation builds, taking ownership of designs from ambiguous requirements to functional hardware.
• Construct robust optical and imaging fixtures for inline inspection systems, encompassing lighting, motion, and alignment.
• Generate comprehensive manufacturing documentation, including 3D CAD models, electrical schematics, Bills of Materials (BOMs), assembly instructions, and test protocols.
• Collaborate with software and controls teams on system integration, including motion/vision triggers, sensor interfaces, and PLC/robot controller communications.
• Contribute to safety and certification efforts, such as risk assessments, Performance Level analysis, CE marking, and relevant regulatory compliance (EMC, LVD, RoHS, US NRTL).
• Apply software development skills to hardware-adjacent tasks when hardware workload is lighter.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; Master's degree is a plus.
• Proven track record of contributing significantly to the delivery of multiple complex electromechanical products from concept to production.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., NX, Solidworks) and electrical schematic tools (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN).
• Experience in sheet metal and machined part design, including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and direct collaboration with fabrication shops.
• Hands-on experience with EOAT/gripper design, pneumatics, motion systems, sensors, and control cabinet design and wiring.
• Proficiency in Python or C++ for embedded/robotic systems, with Linux experience.
• Experience integrating machine vision and imaging hardware, including cameras, lighting, lenses, and calibration.
• Strong systems thinking capabilities and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-project R&D environment.

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Experience with robotics software, such as ROS 2 (MoveIt 2, ROS 2 Control, TF2) and UR programming.
• Background in bespoke automation or integrator-style builds.
• Experience with product certification processes (CE/UKCA, UL/CSA/NRTL, EMC pre-compliance, EU Machinery Regulation).
• Advanced knowledge in machine vision and compute, including stereo/RGB-D vision, high-throughput image processing, and GPU acceleration.
• Familiarity with contract manufacturing transfers and quality systems.
• Experience in precision equipment industries like semiconductor, inkjet, or thin-film manufacturing.
• Agile/Scrum methodology experience.

Mindset

• Comfortable tackling loosely defined problems and delivering functional hardware.
• Adaptable to shifting priorities and able to manage multiple projects effectively.
• A strong collaborator, capable of working independently and as part of a small team.
• Open to exploring and utilizing emerging AI-assisted engineering workflows.

What We Offer

Ricoh offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and professional growth, including:

• A selection of medical, dental, life, and disability insurance options.
• Retirement Savings Plan (401K), Health Savings Account (HSA), and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
• Team member tuition assistance programs.
• Paid vacation time and paid holidays.