Lead Automation & Controls Engineer (m/w/d) in Hamburg

The Krebs Group is a family-owned company based in Hamburg with extensive experience in industrial services dating back to 1949. Under the motto “Clear. Strong. Nordic,” we stand for reliability, healthy growth, and open, team-oriented collaboration. With approximately 550 employees across more than 15 locations, we are shaping the future together.

We are developing a game-changing robotic painting solution for the monopile industry and are looking for a highly skilled Lead Automation & Controls Engineer (m/w/d) to take technical ownership of the control and software architecture.

This role is ideal for someone with deep experience in block-based and industrial automation programming who can build, test, and optimise robust software for a complex robotic system operating in demanding industrial environments.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and maintenance of the robot control software for an industrial painting system.
Program and configure block-based control logic and automation sequences for robotic movement, paint application, safety interlocks, and process monitoring.
Work closely with mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to translate system requirements into reliable and scalable software solutions.
Develop, test, debug, and optimise robot programs for accuracy, repeatability, coating quality, and cycle-time performance.
Integrate robot programming with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, 3D scanning, and other industrial control components.
Support commissioning, factory testing, and on-site start-up of robotic systems.
Troubleshoot complex software and controls issues during development and deployment.
Establish programming standards, documentation practices, and version control for the project.
Mentor other programmers and contribute to the long-term software architecture of the platform.
Ensure software design aligns with industrial safety, reliability, and maintainability requirements.

Required Qualifications

Strong experience in industrial automation programming, robotics, or control systems engineering.
Advanced skills in block-based or function block style programming for industrial applications.
Solid understanding of PLC programming, industrial communication protocols, and system integration.
Experience programming or commissioning robotic systems in manufacturing or heavy industry environments.
Strong debugging and problem-solving skills with the ability to work across software, controls, and hardware interfaces.
Experience with motion control, safety systems, and sensor integration.
Ability to work hands-on in a fast-paced development environment and support testing on real equipment.
Excellent communication skills and ability to lead technical decisions across a multidisciplinary team.
Skilled in English writing and verbal communication

Preferred Experience

Experience with robotic block stage programming.
Background in heavy industry, offshore, steel fabrication, or large-scale automated machinery.
3D scanning software experience.
Familiarity with ABB, KUKA, FANUC, or similar industrial robot platforms.
Experience leading software delivery from concept through commissioning.

System overview

Rail based linear painting robot for XXXL Monopiles custom design for heavy and complexed painting systems.
3D scanning of the object for grid mapping.
Encoders and sensors to monitor up to 13 axes.
Robot is linear on rails, object is rotating.
All hardware is programmed in “block stage” to be able to easy replace different hardware to avoid total reprogramming.
Full quality assurance report of the whole process.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to help shape a breakthrough robotics solution for a major industrial market. You will play a leading role in building a high-impact product from the ground up, working with advanced robotics, automation, and process technology to transform how monopiles are coated at industrial scale.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Robert Krebs GmbH